Magnus Carlsen: ‘Only matter of time before India becomes leading chess nation in world’

Earlier this month, India got its 82nd Grandmaster. But so far, no Indian has challenged for the World Championship title, barring Viswanathan Anand, who claimed the coveted crown five times.

Viswanathan Anand on left, R Praggnanandhaa on right and Magnus Carlsen in middle

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World No 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen has heaped praise on Indian chess players saying that it is only a matter of time before the Asian country is the “leading chess nation in the world”.

Earlier this month, India got its 82nd Grandmaster. But so far, no Indian has challenged for the World Championship title, barring Viswanathan Anand, who claimed the coveted crown five times.

“I think India is doing a lot of right things so far, and it is a matter of time before it is clearly the leading chess nation in the world,” Carlsen said.

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Carlsen chose to forfeit his right to defend his world championship title leading Ding Liren of China to take his place as the 17th world chess champion. One of the reasons he gave for deciding against competing in the world championship game was the physical, emotional and mental toll it takes.

Carlsen will be one of the icon players in the upcoming Global Chess League, which will be held from June 21 at the Dubai Chess & Culture Club.

The Norwegian chess superstar said he relished playing in team events and said he was looking forward to playing in a mixed team format.

“The GCL is an exciting prospect for me to be a part of. This will be something new. Something that has not been done this way in over-the-board chess. I am looking forward to exploring this format for the future.

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“Personally I very much enjoy team events and the team spirit within the group. So, it is something I always look forward to. I am looking forward to meeting the other players in the team, and I look forward to competing with and against the exciting young generation of Indian players. One of the really good things about this tournament is that men and women can compete against each other at the same stage,” Carlsen was quoted as saying in a press release by GCL.

The league, which will be held from June 21 to July 2, will see six franchises play in a unique format in a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system played simultaneously. The top two teams will qualify for the final on July 2, and be crowned the World Champion Franchise Team.