Norway Chess: Tari backs Gukesh to turn things around

Norwegian Grandmaster Aryan Tari is in awe of the phenomenal rise of Indian chess in recent years, saying that the support the game has been receiving has led to new talent springing up frequently.

Tari, a former World junior champion, backed D. Gukesh to turn things around. “The last couple of months were a bit tough for him. Maybe he felt too much pressure being the World champion,” the 26-year-old said in an interaction with The Hindu on the sidelines of Norway Chess. Tari tipped the Indian ace to regain his mojo and said: “Gukesh can recover from his bad form and be back to his ‘A’ game.”

He stressed that the World championship wasn’t only about chess and that there were other elements too. “It is a title match… nerves play a part. Maybe the experience Gukesh has of playing one can help,” Tari said, adding: “I would put his (Gukesh’s) chances at 50-50 against Javokhir Sindarov.”

Sindarov has been in good form recently, winning the Candidates tournament rather comfortably. But, Tari, Norway’s No. 3 player behind Magnus Carlsen and Johan-Sebastian Christiansen, said that recent results don’t matter much in a match like the title decider.

As for the women’s championship clash, he felt that defending champion Ju Wenjun may have a slight advantage over R. Vaishali but didn’t write off the Indian. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Vaishali wins. She will be well prepared and will pose a huge challenge for Ju,” Tari signed off.