Chess WC: Deconstructing India’s semi-final no show

Amid the spurt of Indian chess boasting the reigning world champion, the Women’s World Cup winner and sweeping both gold medals at the 2024 Olympiad, having no representation in the semifinals of a home World Cup comesasa rather surprising void.

- Rutvick Mehta

More so after the last World Cup in 2023, where four in the last eight were Indians. In Goa, Arjun Erigaisi exited as the lone quarterfinalist.

“Tthas been an underwhelming performance, especially with the kind of expectations that had been set from the previous World Cup,” said Srinath Narayanan, GM and coach of the 2024 Olympiad Indian team.

“Having said that, it is understandable that one of the tourna- ‘ments didn’t quite go our way after having a few ups this year.”

That statement could also apply to one of the top three seeds leading the large pack of 24 Indians in the 206-player field. D Gukesh, Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa were all tipped to make deep runs, but the last-named perhaps had the least riding on this tournament that offered three Candidates spots.

On the back of solid performances this year and a big lead in the FIDE Circuit from which the leader enters the Candidates, Praggnanandhaa, the 2023 World Cup finalist, exited in Round 4.

“Not that he was not motivated todowell here, butstill the motivation is not as high as it may have been if he had to qualify for the Candidates,” said Srinath.