The world is celebrating the World Chess Day today (July 20), also the day of inception of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs also known as the International Chess Federation or FIDE.

The sport of chess has always been one that has promoted the art of strategies, logical thinking and more. On the momentous day, one of India’s finest players, Grandmaster (GM) Vidit Gujrathi, in an exclusive interaction with News18 Sports, opens up on the state of chess in India, what losing out on hosting world chess final means to India and his recent performances.

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Vidit has also announced a partnership with one of India’s leading providers of financial advice, Ambit founded by Ashok Wadhwa. During the chat, Karan Wadhwa, vice-president (Global Private Client) of Ambit, talked about their association with Vidit and how it will help in the growth of the sport within the country.

Excerpts

India losing out on the hosting rights for the World Championship is a big miss. What are your thoughts?

Vidit Gujrathi: It’s unfortunate that India did not secure the hosting rights for the World Championship. While Singapore is a neutral venue, hosting the event in India would have elevated the game’s visibility tenfold. It would have attracted extensive media coverage, larger audiences, and brought much-needed attention and glamour to the sport. As a passionate chess fan, I would have loved to see the World Championship held in India.

Vidit, looking at the current state of chess in India, how important is it to have major chess-related events within the country?

VG: India has an impressive number of top-ranking players, with five in the world’s top 30 and eleven in the world’s top 100. Despite this, we only have one or two major tournaments a year, which is disappointing given the large following for chess in India. Whenever there is an event, it attracts a substantial number of spectators, indicating a significant untapped interest in the game. Increasing the number of tournaments would greatly boost chess in India and elevate it to the next level. There is a clear gap in the market that needs to be addressed.

The 45th Chess Olympiad is two months away, and the teams have been announced. How has your prep for the tournament been?

VG: Chess preparation is an ongoing process. As the Olympiad approaches, our team will hold a training camp to focus on specific strategies. At present, there is no special preparation beyond our daily practice. Closer to the event, we will focus on the specifics, such as the teams and players we will face and our strategies. I have many ideas on how to approach the tournament and what adjustments to make in my style and strategy. I need to start concretely working on these plans.

Your start to the Super United Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2024 was not ideal – what were your thoughts during those tough moments and what changed to help you get your first points?

VG: I was a bit rusty at the start, in Croatia. It was challenging because I was trying out new strategies, and experimentation can sometimes lead to unexpected results. I wasn’t completely sharp, but I gained valuable insights from the tournament. To make significant progress, it’s essential to take risks, even if they don’t always pay off. After the initial setbacks, I took some time to reflect and decided on the changes I needed to implement. This gave me a clearer perspective and peace of mind.

As a prominent figure in chess, how does you envision your association with Ambit contributing to the promotion and development of chess on a local and global scale?

VG: For any sport to advance, it requires more than just the players excelling or an increase in tournaments; the entire ecosystem must progress together. I’m very grateful to Ambit for supporting me over the past year. This partnership has been incredibly rewarding. When major corporations like Ambit get involved, it significantly enhances the chess ecosystem at both national and international levels.

What made Ambit delve into the world of chess?

Karan Wadhwa (KW): While Ambit’s official involvement in Chess began in 2022 when we recognized the strong alignment between the strategic nature of Chess and our brand values, our passion for Chess as a sport runs deep. Our brand-line, ‘Acumen at work,’ resonates with the intellectual rigor and strategic thinking essential in Chess. We saw an opportunity to support and develop the sport in India, inspired by the immense talent among young Indian GMs. This alignment and our passion for Chess drove us to partner with Vidit Gujrathi, whose values and dedication closely match those of Ambit.

Much like chess and personal finance, emotions play a significant role in decision-making. Has there been any advice exchanged between the two regarding this?

KW: Absolutely, Vidit and I have discussed the critical role of emotional control in both Chess and investing. A good example of this was Vidit’s performance in the 2023 Grand Swiss tournament, which he went on to win after losing the first round, eventually qualifying for the 2024 Candidates.

Managing emotions is crucial in high-pressure situations, whether it is during a critical Chess game or a major financial decision. Vidit’s ability to stay focused and make strategic decisions under pressure is something that resonates with our approach at Ambit. His insights on maintaining composure and thinking analytically are valuable lessons that can be applied to both Chess and financial decision-making.

India has its fair share of talent in chess – what made Ambit go for Vidit?

KW: Vidit was a natural choice for us due to his exceptional talent, consistent performance, and dedication to Chess. His journey of continuous improvement and his ambition to excel, align perfectly with Ambit’s values. Vidit’s approachable personality and his ability to connect with people make him an ideal ambassador for our brand. His commitment to excellence and integrity, both on and off the Chess-board, mirrors our own ethos, making this partnership a perfect fit for Ambit. Everyone at Ambit believes in him, his ambition and his talent, plus, his affable personality is an added bonus!

What is Ambit’s long-term vision for its partnership with Vidit?

KW: As things stand today, we are in the early days of implementing a multi-phase initiative, the end goal of which is to foster the growth of Chess in India by supporting and promoting the sport through our partnership with Vidit. We aim to inspire young talent and Chess enthusiasts by integrating Chess into our brand identity, reflecting some of our values – excellence, accountability and integrity. By working closely with Vidit, we hope to contribute to the Chess ecosystem, making the sport more accessible and popular across the country.

Can you tell us about some of the projects you have lined up with the star?

KW: We recently hosted an exclusive, invite-only Simul game at our iconic office in Mumbai (Ambit House), where Vidit played 17 boards at the same time. It was indeed a marvel to watch Vidit in his element as he checkmated every challenger.

We have several other initiatives planned with Vidit, including organizing Chess workshops and tournaments to engage and promote the sport within the community and at Ambit. We are also developing educational content where Vidit shares his strategies and insights, aimed at helping aspiring Chess players improve their game.

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