The “children” of Vishy Anand are on the loose! These were the words of Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov after Indian GM D. Gukesh had won the Candidates in circa 2024 before going on to capture the World title (later that year).
He was referring to the growing legion of Indian chess players, especially those under the tutelage of Anand, who were taking the sport by storm.
The year (2024) was a golden one for India as it topped the Open and women’s categories in the Budapest Olympiad before Gukesh dethroned Ding Liren in the championship match.
As the Indians were raising the bar, Uzbekistan was making its presence felt with its players coming to the fore with impactful performances of their own.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov had probably struck the first blow for the Uzbeks, winning the World Rapid title in 2021 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest-ever to do so.
A year later in 2022, he was at the forefront as Uzbekistan emerged the surprise winner in the Open event in the Olympiad in Mamallapuram (near Chennai).
Sindarov.
| Photo Credit:
FILE PHOTO: FIDE
Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov, who has emerged as a name to reckon within the last one year, will be spearheading Uzbekistan’s charge to regain the gold in the upcoming Olympiad at home (in Samarkand).
The former World rapid champion, who was in Chennai recently for the Grand Masters tournament in the city, is confident of the team doing well in the Olympiad.
He said the squad had already held several training camps in Uzbekistan. The team is likely to comprise the Candidates winner Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov besides Abdusattorov, with Mukhiddin Madaminov as the reserve.
This line-up, he said, could mount a serious challenge for the top prize.
“Our nation, our people will cheer for us. We understand that there will be a lot of pressure, and the expectations are very high,” he said in an interaction. “But I think we are ready for this challenge. We have gained a lot of experience by playing under tension.”
Geneva to host
Abdusattorov said he would be helping out Sindarov as he prepares for the World championship match against Gukesh in Geneva (November 25 to December 15).
“I had joined his training camp for a week before the Candidates. For the upcoming World championship match, for sure, I will be part of his team. I will be training with him. From my perspective, he’s my friend, he’s close to me, and I will do my best to help him.”
Sindarov, during an interaction with Indian journalists at Norway Chess, had said that he didn’t even consider himself to be the best player in Uzbekistan and made known his admiration for Abdusattorov, who was was a sort of a hero for the other players.
He also believes the camaraderie among the Uzbek players will help in the pursuit of an Olympiad gold at home.
“In Uzbekistan, we are all good friends. We try to take it in a good spirit. We don’t see each other as competition or rivalry or enemies. We don’t have any such ideas. Especially after becoming Olympiad champions in 2022, that friendship became stronger,” he further said. As a result, he said Uzbekistan had an advantage over other teams.
With the country’s players performing well consistently over the years, Abdusattorov said, “We have grown up together when we were young and this generation is the golden generation for Uzbek chess.”
That friendship is evident when Abdusattorov speaks glowingly about Sindarov. He said they have known each other since they were very young and competed in various age-group events.
“We played a lot against each other from our young age and it’s good when you have a competition within your country because you get inspired, you learn from them, we try to train together and it helps us to improve and to show better results. Ultimately I think this is the main reason why we are having so many good results,” he said.
Throwing his weight behind his friend and compatriot Sindarov, he said, “If Javokhir becomes the World champion, I think it’s going to be an exceptional year for Uzbekistan.”
Slight advantage for Gukesh
Turning his attention to the upcoming World Championship match between Sindarov and Gukesh, Abdusattorov said the Indian GM’s experience (of having played the last title match) would give him a slight advantage.
Gukesh has found the going tough of late.
| Photo Credit:
B. VELANKANNI RAJ
“Gukesh’s experience of playing the last World championship match gives him a little advantage. I think a lot depends on what kind of form and shape they will be in closer to the match. Also depends on preparation and some other aspects. But, it will be a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment for the chess world.” he added.
Abdusattorov has enormous respect for former World champion Vladimir Kramnik, who was the captain of the Uzbekistan team during the last World Cup, saying he and the other players learnt a lot from him.
“Kramnik is a big figure in the chess world… he helped us individually with our openings. We learned a lot from him. He recommended some openings which fit my style.”
About Anand’s remark regarding the possibility of two Indians playing the World Championship match in the future, he said with a grin, “… In the long run, of course. Two Uzbeks, two Indians, two Americans. At some point, it’s all possible.”
Also, he is happy with the new Candidates’ qualification criteria and the new format for the World Cup.
“Now, they are trying to get more spots… it’s 224, so they are trying to get more spots and they are trying to reduce the number of days. I think it’s a good decision.”
The 21-year-old Uzbek is in awe of the rise of Indian chess and said players like M. Pranesh, who scored over Gukesh in the Chennai Grand Masters, were incredibly strong.
“I think they (the Indian youngsters) are a bit underestimated and underrated. If they have a 2,650 rating, I see them as 2,700 already,” said Abdusattorov.
He said Pranesh is a very good player and added that “He has huge potential and is also a very good Blitz player.”
Candidates back in focus
Abdusattorov is planning to have a shot at the World title and aims to qualify for the next Candidates in this cycle.
“I’m looking forward to qualifying for the Candidates. But first of all, I want to enjoy the game and really get joy from it,” said Abdusattorov, who failed to qualify for the Candidates tournament in 2026.
The young star was also happy to return to Chennai, a happy hunting ground for him and even thought of going to the hotel where he had stayed during the 2022 Olympiad.
“I even checked how far away the hotel is where I stayed four years ago. I had an idea that maybe I can go to the hotel to relive some good memories…
He has come a long way since those heady days in the southern city four years ago. Abdusattorov is now among the elite in chess as the ‘golden generation’ of Uzbekistan is primed and ‘on the loose’ to unleash its power on the global stage.
