Today, July 20, is recognised worldwide as World Chess Day. It is also the anniversary of the founding of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs, or FIDE, the International Chess Federation.
Chess is a game that has traditionally encouraged strategic thinking, reasoning, and other skills. In an exclusive interview with News18 Sports on this historic day, Grandmaster (GM) Vidit Gujrathi, one of India’s best players, discusses the state of chess in his country, the implications of not being able to host the global chess championship, and his recent achievements.
Additionally, Vidit has announced a cooperation with Ambit, a prominent financial advisory company in India that was founded by Ashok Wadhwa. In the conversation, Ambit’s vice-president (Global Private Client), Karan Wadhwa, discussed the company’s partnership with Vidit and how it will support the development of sports in the nation.
Abridged
It is a huge loss for India to not be awarded the World Championship hosting rights. What are your opinions?
Vidit Gujrathi: It’s regrettable that India was unable to win the opportunity to host the World Championship. Despite Singapore’s neutral status as a venue, holding the competition in India would have greatly increased awareness of the game. It would have drawn more spectators and a great deal of media attention, giving the sport much-needed attention and glamour. I am an avid chess player, and I would have been thrilled to have the World Championship take place in India.
Vidit, considering the current situation of chess in India, what is the significance of big chess-related events held in the nation?
VG: With five players in the world’s top 30 and eleven in the top 100, India boasts an amazing number of elite athletes. Even still, given the popularity of chess in India, it is disheartening that we only have one or two major events year. Every time there is a gathering, a sizable number of people attend, suggesting a sizable unmet demand for the game. Chess in India would be considerably enhanced and advanced to a new level by holding more competitions. There is an obvious void in the market that need filling.
The 45th Chess Olympiad teams have been revealed, and the event takes place in two months. How are you preparing for the tournament?
VG: The process of getting ready for chess never ends. Our squad will have a training camp to concentrate on particular tactics as the Olympiad draws near. There isn’t any further preparation needed right now beyond what we do every day. We’ll talk about the specifics closer to the event, such the players and teams we’ll be playing against and our game plans. I have a lot of thoughts about how to go into the competition and what changes to make to my tactics and style. I must get down to work on these plans in earnest.
Your Super United Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2024 start wasn’t the best. What went through your mind in those trying times, and what did you do differently to earn your first points?
VG: Initially, in Croatia, I was a little rusty. I was experimenting with new tactics, which can occasionally produce unexpected results, so it was difficult. Though I wasn’t entirely observant, the competition gave me some insightful knowledge. Even when a risk doesn’t work out, it’s necessary to take it in order to achieve meaningful advancement. Following the initial setbacks, I gave it some thought and determined what adjustments I needed to make. This let me see things more clearly and felt more at ease.
As one of the game’s leading personalities, how do you see your partnership with Ambit helping to advance chess both locally and internationally?
VG: The entire ecosystem needs to grow in order for any sport to advance, not just the athletes that do well or the number of events held. Ambit has helped me a lot over the past year, and I really appreciate that. This has been such a fulfilling partnership. The chess environment is greatly improved on a national and worldwide scale when big businesses like Ambit participate.
What inspired Ambit to learn how to play chess?
KW, or Karan Wadhwa: Our enthusiasm for chess as a sport is profound, even if Ambit only became formally involved in the game in 2022 after realising how closely its strategic nature aligned with our brand values. Chess requires a great deal of intellectual rigour and strategic thought, which is reflected in our brand tagline, “Acumen at work.” Inspired by the tremendous talent among young Indian general managers, we saw a chance to help and grow the sport in India. We partnered with Vidit Gujrathi because of our shared enthusiasm for chess and because of their ideals, which are quite similar to Ambit’s.
Emotions are a major factor in decision-making, much like in chess and personal economics. Have the two given each other any advice on this matter?
Indeed, Vidit and I have talked about how important emotional control is to investment and chess. An excellent illustration of this was Vidit’s play in the Grand Swiss tournament of 2023, which he eventually qualified for the 2024 Candidates after winning after losing the first round.
Emotional control is essential in high-stress scenarios, such as during a vital Chess match or a significant financial choice. Vidit demonstrates a level of focus and intelligent decision-making under duress that aligns well with Ambit’s methodology. His advice on remaining composed and using logic in thought is insightful and useful for both financial and chess decision-making.
India possesses a good amount of chess talent. What prompted Ambit to pursue Vidit?
KW: Given Vidit’s extraordinary talent, reliable play, and commitment to chess, we were compelled to select him. His quest for constant growth and his drive for success are a wonderful fit with Ambit’s principles. Vidit is the perfect representative for our brand because of his personable demeanour and interpersonal skills. Ambit is a wonderful fit for this relationship because of his unwavering dedication to excellence and ethics, both on and off the chess board. His charming nature is an extra benefit, and everyone at Ambit believes in his talent, passion, and aspirations!
What long-term goals does Ambit have for its collaboration with Vidit?
KW: As things stand, we are only beginning a multi-phase project whose ultimate objective is to support and promote chess through our cooperation with Vidit in order to encourage the sport’s growth in India. Through the incorporation of chess into our corporate identity, which reflects some of our principles – excellence, responsibility, and integrity – we hope to inspire young talent and chess fans. We intend to strengthen the chess ecosystem and increase the game’s accessibility and popularity across the nation by collaborating closely with Vidit.
Could you give us an overview of some of the projects you and the celebrity have planned?
KW: Vidit played 17 boards simultaneously during a recent invite-only Simul game we held at Ambit House, our renowned office in Mumbai. Watching Vidit in action, as he checkmated each opponent, was quite amazing.
In order to engage and promote chess in the community and at Ambit, we have a number of other projects planned with Vidit, including workshops and competitions. In order to help aspiring chess players get better, we are also creating instructional content in which Vidit discusses his tactics and perspectives.