It was a memorable debut as a coach for B. Adhiban at the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League in Bengaluru last month. He guided Ganges Grandmasters to a maiden title in the world’s most glamorous chess league. Nicknamed ‘The Beast’, he was a part of the Indian teams that won the bronze medal at the Chess Olympiads in 2014 and 2022. Excerpts from an interview Adhiban gave The Hindu:

What made you accept the offer to coach Ganges Grandmasters at such short notice?

Manu Gurtu of MGD1 is my manager, and I know the company’s Sreekar Channapragada, too. They took over ownership of Ganges Grandmasters and when they offered me the job, I thought it would be interesting. My only condition was that it shouldn’t clash with my playing schedule.

I joined the team on the eve of the auction. There was one player Manu wanted: Levon Aronian. I also wanted him. Apparently, other teams, too. I was happy that we got him; he is an excellent team player. He can lift the team when it is down.

His sense of humour helps, too…

Yes. And I have liked him as a player for a long time, since the time he won the World junior championship. Another player we really wanted in our team was Nihal Sarin. I am also glad that we got Ian [Nepomniachtchi]. He is a fantastic player. And he gave us that crucial win in the final against Magnus Carlsen [APL Alpine Pipers].

The two women in your team, Polina Shuvalova and Stavroula Tsolakidou, did a great job. Aronian called them your secret weapon and said he didn’t expect them to do so well.

Manu wanted to retain both of them. They had played well last year. Polina, I knew personally that she was a very fast player.

She was brilliant here. She made probably the biggest contribution, overall, to your team…

Yeah, exactly. Because she gave us a very good start, actually. And even when the team was not doing well, she was doing well. Yes, she was someone whom you could always count on. She plays fearlessly; she is not afraid of anyone. In fact, I was expecting that she would win the Player-of-the-Tournament award.

Which went to Stavroula. She thanked you in public, and even handed her Player-of-the-Match award to you on the stage…

That was very touching. Polina already had her own set of ideas. But I did work with Stavi quite a lot, especially in opening preparations. She is an excellent student with an amazing memory.

Whatever I suggested during the training, she would replicate on the board. The openings she played here were mostly new for her. We were just improvising during the tournament. We were preparing together every day for at least an hour and a half.

Were there games that went according to the plan more or less?

Well, there was this game with Koneru Humpy in the match against Alpine Pipers. The opening went according to our plan. In the final, against Nino [Batsiashvili] too, it was my idea that she implemented over the board.

And Batsiashvili has been mighty good at the GCL.

Yes. I wanted Stavi to beat her, so that she could prove she could beat everyone.

So you must be pleased that you could play a role in the progress of a player.

Yes, because this is what coaching is all about, right?

And this was your first proper stint as a coach, though you worked with R. Vaishali before she played in the Candidates, which she went on to win, much against the odds.

Yes, I could say that my only student is contesting the World championship match.

How do you view Vaishali’s chances in that World title match against Ju Wenjun?

She didn’t have a good Olympiad at Samarkand. I don’t really know what happened. I will talk to her when she comes back. As for the World championship, if there is one player who could beat Ju Wenjun, I think it is Vaishali.

She should play freely, and not worry too much about the result: she shouldn’t think, ‘What will happen if I don’t win’. There aren’t too many players like Vaishali at the top level in women’s chess, the players who could challenge men, like Judit Polgar or Hou Yifan. Whenever I play against Vaishali, I feel I have to be a bit careful. I don’t get that feeling when I meet other female players.

She plays aggressively and fearlessly. She is a bit like Judit in that regard, and rather unlike Hou Yifan. Among the Chinese women, Lei Tingjie, I feel, is the most aggressive player.

Vaishali has to be cautious against Ju Wenjun. She is difficult to beat and not someone who will collapse. I remember the way she [Ju] beat Vidit Gujrathi, someone who resembles her in style. If you can beat a strong player who is very close to your style, it means something.

Talking of World championships, your thoughts on the match between D. Gukesh and Javokhir Sindarov? Not many people are betting on the reigning World champion as he hasn’t been in good form after winning the title in 2024.

Well, I believe Gukesh has excellent chances. The way he played at the Olympiad [where he won a silver on the fourth board] should help his confidence.

I think the thing is, he should not try to go back to who he was [when he was doing incredible things like winning gold on the top board in successive Olympiads]. He should just find a new version of himself. He has changed a lot and now so many things are different. He has to rediscover himself.

Gukesh is someone who has risen above the expectations. Whatever hurdle you throw at him, he will cross that. A few years back, me and Anish [Giri] had this running joke. When Gukesh was doing so well in classical chess, we would say, ‘Okay at least he is bad at rapid chess’. Then he ended up winning some rapid games somewhere. Anish and I now said, ‘At least he is still bad at blitz’. Then he won against [Vladimir] Kramnik in Armageddon. Then, after crossing 2700 [Elo points], he came below that. Now we said, ‘Maybe he is not 2700 level yet’. Then he comes to the Olympiad and destroys everyone. The moment you think he is done or he is not ready for something, he always proves himself.

Sindarov has been in great form. But when it comes to the peaks of their chess, I feel Gukesh is better than Sindarov. I may be biased, but my favourite for the World title this year is Gukesh.

Only 15 chess players have touched 2800 Elo points on the FIDE rating list . Arjun Erigaisi was the last to reach there, and it has been two years since. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave crossed the mark in 2016. With a peak rating of 2819, the French Grandmaster is the seventh strongest player in chess history. He is a former World No. 2, and won the World Blitz championship in 2021. MVL, as he is often called, has been playing regularly in India and is now in Bengaluru for the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. He has played in every single edition of the league. Excerpts from an interview Vachier-Lagrave gave The Hindu:

You have played in every season of the Global Chess League…

I think it is really fun. The idea of having people can cheer on at the venue is nice, and you have all the best players in the world. It is also interesting to see the prodigies in the teams and how they go on to make it big later.

You had Javokhir Sindarov as a prodigy, and now he is a challenger for the World Championship match. And we had D. Gukesh (who will play Sindarov in that match) for the first three seasons as well.

It is also a lot of fun to watch these innovations, such as the time control with no increment. And everyone in the team having the same colour for a match is really a nice experience.

Do you like the system of getting more points with black pieces than white?

That is enjoyable. And it is good to have games that don’t last too long and are easy to watch.

And it is better for the television audience, too.

Yeah, that you don’t want to be glued for four hours, and sometimes nothing happens for 30 minutes.

How do you find the idea of playing with no increment for the first 40 moves?

When I was a kid, we barely had digital clocks, so it is alright. I still prefer the digital clocks, but we have increment after the 40th move, so it is not as ruthless.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming World championship match between Gukesh and Sindarov?

You never know with matches, how it turns out. At the last World championship, Gukesh was coming in really strong, while Ding Liren looked like he couldn’t play chess. Suddenly, you know, Gukesh was under pressure.

It was the same with the previous match, when Ding played against Ian Nepomniachtchi. It looked as if Nepo was winning it. So the form doesn’t really matter when it comes to the World championship match. Yes, Gukesh has been struggling a little bit with his results, but I think he has also been experimenting and, you know, got maybe too much out of his comfort zone.

But in general, when he is playing really well, he is a formidable opponent. I remember having some really good clashes with him. And he had some exceptional performances at the Olympiads.

One thing that I noticed about Gukesh is that, especially ever since he became World champion, it seems like he has to prove a point with every game he plays.

And sometimes that, you know, you cannot have as much energy as that to be there for every game, fighting it out. And, you know, he always takes a lot of risks. And when he is in very good shape, he has a lot of energy, it works out well for him, I think.

But if you get even a slight drop in energy, the consequences can be brutal because his chess requires so much energy and so much confidence as well.

From my point of view, a defining turning point could be the next Olympiad. If Gukesh capitalises on the confidence gained from his performances in his previous two Olympiads, and does a great performance again in this Olympiad (starting next week at Samarkand), he can go into the World championship in a much better mood.

I think it would be very helpful for him if he gets a little bit of confidence back. He needs some sort of break to be certain that he can play his best chess again.

If he plays like he can, there is simply no favourite in my mind. You have two very strong young players who will be fighting it out.

What makes Sindarov different? He has been brilliant for the last year or so, having won the World Cup and then that absolutely dominant performance to win the Candidates…

He seems to be handling his nerves very well. And of course, his calculation is very good. But like at some point, you know, the difference is some little make or break.

The margins are very narrow, of course, in top level chess. So, it could also be like a very good break.

We will see what happens in the World championship match and before that at the Olympiad as well.

He is an extremely strong player and he is having a very good year. But there are so many good players around.

The Olympiad is coming up right after the Global Chess League and India is the defending champion…

The Indian team is so strong. And we don’t know who will be playing on the top board. If France gets to play against them, I will probably be more interested in finding out who is on board one, so that I could prepare.

You will be playing at the pilot event of the newly launched Total World Chess Championship tour…

That is a very exciting event. I am glad that I have managed to qualify, and I hope to make it to the main cycle.

On that tour, the classical bit is going to be of a duration of 45 minutes and they are calling it fast classical…

I am okay with that. Of course, it matters how I perform individually. But I also care about how chess will evolve as a game and as a spectator sport.

And there is now more money in chess too, especially when you compare with the time you started out…

Yes, chess is on the rise. And I think it is a good opportunity for the game. You have many more players coming into the game. You have many more investors coming too, and trying to get a cut of the action. And I think that is really nice. And we get to experiment a bit.

This is all good for the game. And we need to find out what will be the ideal format for spectators to watch. We also need sometimes the players to evolve a bit and to be ready to give them some of their energy, not only towards the preparation.

As a player, I know preparing for your game is important, but you should also be able to give something back to the game.

R. Praggnanandhaa has been having a great time of late…

I think early last year, he also had some great six, eight months, but then there was a toll of playing so much.

And he had a disappointing Candidates.

But I think he has been working on his stamina and is also able to fight it out always. But we always knew that Pragg was also an exceptionally strong player.

What is next for you after the GCL and the Olympiad?

There is the Total Chess World Championship in Budapest, and then the World rapid and blitz.

Only 15 chess players have touched 2800 Elo points on the FIDE rating list . Arjun Erigaisi was the last to reach there, and it has been two years since. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave crossed the mark in 2016. With a peak rating of 2819, the French Grandmaster is the seventh strongest player in chess history. He is a former World No. 2, and won the World Blitz championship in 2021. MVL, as he is often called, has been playing regularly in India and is now in Bengaluru for the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. He has played in every single edition of the league. Excerpts from an interview Vachier-Lagrave gave The Hindu:

You have played in every season of the Global Chess League…

I think it is really fun. The idea of having people can cheer on at the venue is nice, and you have all the best players in the world. It is also interesting to see the prodigies in the teams and how they go on to make it big later.

You had Javokhir Sindarov as a prodigy, and now he is a challenger for the World Championship match. And we had D. Gukesh (who will play Sindarov in that match) for the first three seasons as well.

It is also a lot of fun to watch these innovations, such as the time control with no increment. And everyone in the team having the same colour for a match is really a nice experience.

Do you like the system of getting more points with black pieces than white?

That is enjoyable. And it is good to have games that don’t last too long and are easy to watch.

And it is better for the television audience, too.

Yeah, that you don’t want to be glued for four hours, and sometimes nothing happens for 30 minutes.

How do you find the idea of playing with no increment for the first 40 moves?

When I was a kid, we barely had digital clocks, so it is alright. I still prefer the digital clocks, but we have increment after the 40th move, so it is not as ruthless.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming World championship match between Gukesh and Sindarov?

You never know with matches, how it turns out. At the last World championship, Gukesh was coming in really strong, while Ding Liren looked like he couldn’t play chess. Suddenly, you know, Gukesh was under pressure.

It was the same with the previous match, when Ding played against Ian Nepomniachtchi. It looked as if Nepo was winning it. So the form doesn’t really matter when it comes to the World championship match. Yes, Gukesh has been struggling a little bit with his results, but I think he has also been experimenting and, you know, got maybe too much out of his comfort zone.

But in general, when he is playing really well, he is a formidable opponent. I remember having some really good clashes with him. And he had some exceptional performances at the Olympiads.

One thing that I noticed about Gukesh is that, especially ever since he became World champion, it seems like he has to prove a point with every game he plays.

And sometimes that, you know, you cannot have as much energy as that to be there for every game, fighting it out. And, you know, he always takes a lot of risks. And when he is in very good shape, he has a lot of energy, it works out well for him, I think.

But if you get even a slight drop in energy, the consequences can be brutal because his chess requires so much energy and so much confidence as well.

From my point of view, a defining turning point could be the next Olympiad. If Gukesh capitalises on the confidence gained from his performances in his previous two Olympiads, and does a great performance again in this Olympiad (starting next week at Samarkand), he can go into the World championship in a much better mood.

I think it would be very helpful for him if he gets a little bit of confidence back. He needs some sort of break to be certain that he can play his best chess again.

If he plays like he can, there is simply no favourite in my mind. You have two very strong young players who will be fighting it out.

What makes Sindarov different? He has been brilliant for the last year or so, having won the World Cup and then that absolutely dominant performance to win the Candidates…

He seems to be handling his nerves very well. And of course, his calculation is very good. But like at some point, you know, the difference is some little make or break.

The margins are very narrow, of course, in top level chess. So, it could also be like a very good break.

We will see what happens in the World championship match and before that at the Olympiad as well.

He is an extremely strong player and he is having a very good year. But there are so many good players around.

The Olympiad is coming up right after the Global Chess League and India is the defending champion…

The Indian team is so strong. And we don’t know who will be playing on the top board. If France gets to play against them, I will probably be more interested in finding out who is on board one, so that I could prepare.

You will be playing at the pilot event of the newly launched Total World Chess Championship tour…

That is a very exciting event. I am glad that I have managed to qualify, and I hope to make it to the main cycle.

On that tour, the classical bit is going to be of a duration of 45 minutes and they are calling it fast classical…

I am okay with that. Of course, it matters how I perform individually. But I also care about how chess will evolve as a game and as a spectator sport.

And there is now more money in chess too, especially when you compare with the time you started out…

Yes, chess is on the rise. And I think it is a good opportunity for the game. You have many more players coming into the game. You have many more investors coming too, and trying to get a cut of the action. And I think that is really nice. And we get to experiment a bit.

This is all good for the game. And we need to find out what will be the ideal format for spectators to watch. We also need sometimes the players to evolve a bit and to be ready to give them some of their energy, not only towards the preparation.

As a player, I know preparing for your game is important, but you should also be able to give something back to the game.

R. Praggnanandhaa has been having a great time of late…

I think early last year, he also had some great six, eight months, but then there was a toll of playing so much.

And he had a disappointing Candidates.

But I think he has been working on his stamina and is also able to fight it out always. But we always knew that Pragg was also an exceptionally strong player.

What is next for you after the GCL and the Olympiad?

There is the Total Chess World Championship in Budapest, and then the World rapid and blitz.

Carlsen’s Pipers are at the top of the GCL table.
| Photo Credit: Allen Egenuse J.

Nepomniachtchi’s effort against Carlsen eventually went in vain.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement