The year is 2013 and the city is Chennai. A purebred Gukesh has secured a place in the back row to be present at the sixth World Cup match between home hope Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen. – I remember the interest in that match. The hall was completely packed, so I had to stand in the last row and watch them play. I have some vague memories from that time, says the 17-year-old to news. DUEL: Here against Magnus Carlsen during Norway Chess: – My long-term goal is to become the best player in the world, says Gukesh. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB Ten years later, it was he himself who was to sit on the opposite side of the board, facing the Norwegian. In addition, the insider did what Anand failed to do in the sixth WC game against Carlsen, namely to win. – Always especially Bragda, he made the youngest player to beat the Norwegian while holding the grandmaster title, aged 16. – It was very nice to play against the greatest chess player of all time. The win was nothing to be proud of, but getting a win over Magnus is always special. – What did you know then? – It was a bit surprising. I didn’t celebrate that much since it was in the middle of a tournament and I had a few matches left to play. But it felt good to get a win. – I knew that the victory would come sooner or later. It wasn’t something I had to pinch myself for or anything, he says. Carlsen memory On his 17th birthday earlier in June, Gukesh won once again against Carlsen in a rapid chess game during Norway Chess. The two have met several times in the past year, and when news asks about the relationship between them and Carlsen, a recent experience is fresh in their memory. STAR SHOT: The wood prodigy from India is one of several players from the country who have risen to the top of chess in recent times. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB Earlier this year, the two played to a draw during a long chess game in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. – It was our first classic meeting, and after the match I asked if we could analyze the match. We started analyzing the match and it was super interesting, so we spent almost an hour analyzing the match after we finished. It was one of the most memorable experiences for me. Gukesh said that he was very happy that Carlsen took the time to analyse, while at the same time he built self-confidence on the experience. – It was something I was very, very happy about. I learned a lot from that session about what he thinks. There were some things that he said that struck me as very interesting. I understood that I can compete with him because I analyzed and saw some features that he did not see. It was a very interesting experience. – I learned something from that analysis. I think it will be helpful in the future, he says finally. Recently, Carlsen got a revenge against Gukesh in the Grand Chess Tour tournament in Croatia, Zagreb, where he played brilliantly. The Norwegian won twice over the indoor and secured the tournament winner on Sunday.
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– I saw things he didn’t see – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
