NEW DELHI: Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh, who recently etched his name in history as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, will not be competing in the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Championships (WRB).
The event, set to take place between December 26 and 31 in New York City’s Financial District, will feature over 300 elite players, but the absence of Gukesh has become a major talking point.
Fresh from his dramatic win over reigning champion Ding Liren in a gruelling 14-game series in Singapore, Gukesh has chosen to skip the WRB to prioritise rest and recovery.
His intense preparation for the championship and the sheer mental and physical strain of competing at the highest level have taken a toll.
READ ALSO: World Chess Rapid and Blitz Championships: Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggananandha to lead India in D Gukesh’s absence
This decision, though disappointing for his fans, reflects the necessity of balancing peak performance with sustainable health in the relentless chess calendar.
“Anyone who understands high-level sports, it’s clear that if you play 13 games at a high level, in high intensity, prepared for six months, and you come for the last game at a world championship, you are pretty much dead at that point. We are basically two dead people playing chess. Mistakes happen in those moments,” Gukesh said after becoming the world chess champion.
Nevertheless, if Gukesh doesn’t make changes to his plans, the 18-year-old could well be in action at the start of the new year, participating in the 87th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, set to be hosted in Wijk aan Zee from January 17 to February 2, 2025.
India’s hopes at the WRB will now shift to rising stars Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi.
Arjun, the nation’s current No. 1, recently resolved visa complications and is eager to represent his country. Both players bring their unique styles to the tournament and are poised to challenge the world’s best.
While Gukesh steps back temporarily, five-time WRB champion Magnus Carlsen returns as the event’s favourite. Carlsen will face tough competition from names like Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Alireza Firouzja, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
