Gukesh: 'Huge Honor To Be In The Same Sentence As Bobby Fischer'
GM Gukesh Dommaraju goes into the 2024 FIDE World Championship against GM Ding Liren never having beaten the world champion in classical chess, but in an exclusive interview with FM Mike Klein he talks about following in the footsteps of 11th World Champion Bobby Fischer, who was in the same situation when he defeated GM Boris Spassky. He also talks about rumors GM Viswanathan Anand is his second and how it's a "huge privilege" to represent India.
After the opening press conference in Singapore on Saturday, Ding (see Ding On Rapport And 3 Weeks Of World Championship Prep) and Gukesh both sat down with Chesscom and Klein to talk more about the match that starts Monday.
When the topic of Fischer going into the 1972 world championship match never having beaten Spassky was raised, Gukesh, who has one draw and two losses to Ding in classical chess, revealed it had also been on his mind:
"I couldn’t help but notice all these similarities, and it’s a huge honor for me to be not compared to, but be in the same sentence as Bobby Fischer. It’s mostly just something that makes me feel good. It’s also nice that he had never beaten Spassky before they played in the match, and I’ve beaten Ding in this 960 event but not in classical, but also we’ve played far less games. Whatever happened in the past it’s basically irrelevant now, it’s all about who’s the best during the match."
Whatever happened in the past it's basically irrelevant now, it's all about who's the best during the match.
—Gukesh Dommaraju
18-year-old Gukesh also discussed his potential weaknesses with time management and opening preparation, describing how those were exposed when he entered the lion's den of elite chess:
"Once I started playing the elite events it was clear that my weaknesses, the players were highlighting them, and I’ve worked on it continuously. I think I’ve improved a lot and I’ve understood myself and my tendencies much better."
He declared himself "very happy" with his preparation, which included working with renowned mental coach Paddy Upton.
One person Gukesh says he won't be working with intensely during the match is Anand. Asked about the chess legend staying in the same hotel, Gukesh noted, "He’s a mentor and he’s always wishing me well, but he’s not here to be my second."
He’s a mentor and he’s always wishing me well, but he’s not here to be my second.
—Gukesh Dommaraju on Viswanathan Anand
Anand will be able to share what it's like to represent the hopes and dream of a nation of 1.4 billion people. Would that be a burden on Gukesh?
"There are always two ways to look at things. I look at it as there are so many people cheering for me, there are so many people who are supporting me and showing so much love, and it surely gives me a lot of energy to go there, be myself, be at my best, and yeah, all these people, the thought of making them happy is something not many people are privileged enough to have the chance to do. So yeah, it’s a huge privilege for me!"
All these people, the thought of making them happy is something not many people are privileged enough to have the chance to do... It's a huge privilege for me!
—Gukesh Dommaraju on his Indian fans
Gukesh has White vs. Ding when the 14-game 2024 FIDE World Championship kicks off at 4 a.m. ET / 10:00 CET / 2:30 p.m. IST tomorrow, Monday, November 25.
Previous World Championship Coverage:
- Ding On Rapport And 3 Weeks Of World Championship Prep
- Gukesh White Vs. 'At Peace' Ding Liren For Game 1 Of World Championship
- 'We Could See A Bloodbath!' Carlsen & Co. On Ding-Gukesh
- Gukesh Vs Ding: Here's What The Numbers Say
- Who Will Win The World Championship? Vidit, Giri Predict Gukesh Dominance Over Ding
- Ding Admits Fears Ahead Of Gukesh Match: 'Worried About Losing Very Badly'
- Gukesh: 'I'm Quite Eager To Start The Match'
- Google Announced As Title Sponsor For Ding-Gukesh World Championship
- New Ding-Gukesh World Championship Rules Encourage Faster, More Decisive Games
- Ding-Gukesh World Championship Match Venue Announced
- All about the 2024 FIDE World Championship match
Colin McGourty led news at Chess24 from its launch until it merged with Chess.com a decade later. An amateur player, he got into chess writing when he set up the website Chess in Translation after previously studying Slavic languages and literature in St. Andrews, Odesa, Oxford, and Krakow.
