PLAYING AS WORLD CHAMP ON HOME SOIL FEELS SURREAL

After a 23-year wait, the FIDE World Cup (chess) has returned to India and this time, it's being led by the nation's brightest chess star, (youngest) World Champion Gukesh D. The tournament, currently underway in Goa from October 30 to November 27, marks a historic moment for Indian chess and for the 19-year-old, who now headlines the global event as its face.

- Karan Sethi

"Playing such a prestigious event as the World Cup on home soil is a dream I've had since I was a child. I have many memories of watching past World Cups, especially seeing Vishy Anand (Viswanathan Anand, India's first Grandmaster and five-time World Champion) play. I remember following his games and being amazed by his level of play. He was an inspiration for all of us. At that time, I was just a kid dreaming of one day playing on that stage. To now be t