From left to right Indian chess masters Vidit Gujarathi,D Gukesh, Viswanathan Anand, R. Praggnandhhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna (Express photo by Partha Paul)
After Gukesh’s historical World Chess Championship win in Singapore, there has been plenty of chatter about who will take on the 18-year-old in the 2026 World Championship, with Arjun Erigaisi being one of the names being touted. Arjun Erigaisi has been in red-hot form over the past year and has made a home in the top 5 rankings . So it was no surprise that this question came up when Viswanathan Anand hosted an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit on Friday. “There is a 5-10% chance of it to happen,” answered India’s first grandmaster.
A popular narrative in chess — fanned by former world champion Garry Kasparov and world no 3 Hikaru Nakamura — is that the current generation of Indian prodigies like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi are “Vishy’s children” or “Vishy’s army”.
When asked about this in the AMA, Viswanathan Anand said: “They are following their dreams! yes, they are playing players I played several players and still occasionally, but come on, too creative an interpretation.”
The fans want to see Viswanathan Anand back and competing for titles, which prompted a fan to ask if there would be a possibility of him competing in FIDE world rapid/blitz championship in future, to which he simply replied “maybe one year I will feel like it”
Viswanathan Anand replies to fan (Reddit)
Here is a look at few of the best responses from Anand at the AMA:
Q: Vishy, who’s the nicest chess player you’ve met?
Anand: I like several, but probably people who lose to me feel very nice
Q: What’s the best prank you’ve played on someone? And also, what’s the best prank someone has done on you!
Anand: (Dibyendu) Barua and me once called our team captain at an Olympiad and told him the Indian ambassador was waiting for him downstairs while pretending to call from reception. best prank is too strong, but that I remember.
Q: Have you ever sledged an opponent?
Anand: The problem is if I did something like sledging that I would feel worse afterwards and anyway I know I feel much better
Q: Nihal is not participating in the World Rapid and Blitz 2024 due to visa issues. Could you please help him out? Your influence can definitely speed up the process. Thank you.
Anand: You overestimate my influence. Its a pity, but I am sure he is very motivated for the new year watching all his junior colleagues
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