Set for board exam: Gukesh plotting to lift India to pinnacle of chess world

N November 23, 2014, Viswanathan Anand, the owner of five world titles, tried for one final time. But the young world champion, Magnus Carlsen, kept the door shut.

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

In the Russian resort town of Sochi, the Norwegian, playing with white, took an unassailable lead to signal the end of Anand's challenge. As Anand watched on, Carlsen celebrated. 6.5-4.5.

Since then, Carlsen and others have battled to be in the winner's circle, to win chess's ultimate honour. The World Championship. Ten years and a few days later, an Indian will again have the chance to script history when the latest edition of the World Championship commences in Singapore on Monday. For somebody who has already rewritten some records, D Gukesh, still only 18, has the opportunity to walk on water and go to a place where no other chess player in history has ventured. Become the youngest world champion. Can the youngest Candidate in history do it?

If Anand's first world title in 2000 was India's own moon landing event, as long as Gukesh can emulate 'my inspiration', it will be India formally opening a colony of their own; a modern chess superpower rubber-stamping their dominance across 64 squares. How did a country, recognised as the founding father of one of the first versions of chess, get here? The short answer? A perfect storm meant the road to Monday was in the post for at least the last decade. The long answer?