World No. 1
The exhibition served as a nostalgic reminder of Carlsen’s previous visit to Chennai in 2013. During that trip, which served as a reconnaissance mission ahead of his World Championship match against Viswanathan Anand, the Norwegian grandmaster engaged in a similar display against 20 local youngsters. Reflecting on that experience, Carlsen admitted he was caught off guard by the high caliber of his opponents, noting that he had arrived with jet lag and was unprepared for the strength of the field.
A history of tough competition in India
Recalling the 2013 event, Carlsen noted that he was unaware he would be facing such formidable rising stars. Among his opponents that day were R. Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Aravindh Chithambaram. The results were humbling for the then-future world champion, who lost four games—including one to Vaishali—and conceded draws to several others, including Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh.
In contrast to the surprises of 2013, the recent exhibition was more structured. The field featured Pratitee Bordoloi, the reigning Asian junior girls’ champion, who joined the event as a late replacement. Alongside Carlsen, Indian Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Vidit Gujrathi also participated, engaging with the young players across the boards.
Mentorship and the spirit of the game
The event also highlighted the importance of mentorship within the
Thipsay recounted a specific memory of playing against a six-year-old opponent, noting that even at such a young age, the boy demonstrated remarkable positional understanding. He emphasized that these early encounters often serve as a vital indicator of future potential. Vidit Gujrathi also reflected on the experience, sharing memories of his own childhood, where he sat on the other side of the board as a young player challenging a grandmaster, highlighting the cyclical nature of development in the sport.
