See gujrathi released before the chess World Cup: does not pose too much pressure

See Gujrathi, one of the best Indian grandmothers in recent years, has visited a public school in Delhi Gautam Buddha Nagar for a special chess tournament.
Action – The whole India opened a quick and blitz tournament – caused more than 100 young participants and offered price money exceeding RS 8 Lakhs. Gujrathi took part in the tournament with his wife Dr. Nidhi Kataria.

In an exclusive interview with India, the latest couple Ches were thinking about their first visit to Noida today.

See also shared his thoughts on freestyle chess, growing gap between freestyle and Fide, and why believe that criticism of Gukesh is premature.

Q.1) See, first I heard that this was the first time you came to Noida, you came to the DPS school where the special chess tournament organized the Apartment Times. What motivated you to come to this tournament?

Saw: I have seen many children attend, and fortunately it fits into my schedule. This is the first time in Noida and I am really impressed by the city. Infrastructure is excellent and there are many high -rise buildings. It seems to evolve on a promising hub. I’m glad I got a chance to experience it first hand.

Q.2) There is this winch that is happening very viral. What hurts the most, loses a game or nidhi that tells you I don’t want to be like seeing that lost in time?

Saw: Look, the loss of the game you expected somewhere that it could happen, but this return from her was unexpected. So it certainly hurts more because I didn’t see it. I wasn’t ready.

Q.3) Nidhi, what do you have to say? How did you come up with such an epic line?

Nidhi: It was very improvised. In Paris, we carefully played the game – and of course he’s a great master. I am very new in chess and I started learning only recently. I only know the basic rules, so I enjoyed time. In the last few games we have played in the last few months, it actually has been wasting time. The games went well, but in the end he ran out of time – which I personally pointed to him. But I said that time out loud without realizing the cameras were moving. They caught a moment, adjusted it, and put it there.

Q.4) Over the past 3-4 months you had your queen with you. But during this break it helped to restore your mind? When you arrived in Paris, were you mentally prepared for what is formed as a very demanding year, especially with the qualifications of candidates again on the line – like how you qualified through the Great Swiss? With the World Championship in India, along with several other tournaments at home, how are you going to cope with everything in 2025?

Saw: I will be easy, because too much pressure never helped. I do not plan too far ahead – especially when it comes to the World Championship. I focus only on another event and what I can do at the moment. Overall, this year I try to attract a more relaxed and carefree approach and find out how it works.

I am usually quite tense – still super focused and try to stay in the plan – but this time I deliberately retreat a little. We’ll see if this shift helps.

Q.5) See, your return in Paris was unfortunately hard. Was it a format you tried to adapt to, or was it a question of resinness after a break three to four months? Do you also think that we are still trying to adapt the freestyle chess – as Indian players and spectators? Is there a perhaps mental block when it comes to accepting this new format?

Saw: No, I really enjoy freestyle chess. When I look at the games objectively, I had some good positions – I even won against Magnus Carlsen at one point – and I also had several other promising games. I really like freestyle format because you don’t have to prepare at home. You can only show yourself on the album and think of a place that brings new energy.

The main reason why fatigue failed in Paris. Immediately after the wedding we flew the next day, so there was no time to recover – emotionally or physically. Indian weddings take place for days and you barely have the right sleep. There are also so many emotions. So I was just physically exhausted, and at the time the games started, I didn’t get completely recovered. During some rounds I even felt sleepy.

If I had a week break between, I think I would be much better to relax. But there is nothing wrong in the format – I really enjoyed playing in it.

Q.6) Nidhi, what was it for you at that time? Have you been to two honeymoon – Paris and Maldives – how was it, how was it an experience, adapting to the life of a partner? From the interview with others I know it may take time – as in the case of Aruna, the wife of Visha Ananda – to actually understand the chess world.

Did you see how you play some chess holes and which one is your favorite? And to a personal remark, after seeing returns from a long and exhausting game, how do you both relax? How has your daily routine has evolved since it entered this new chapter of life with him?

Nidhi: It’s still very new to me. After our marriage we traveled to three countries. The first was Paris, where he was to see the tournament. In the early days, I stayed at the venue to get an idea of ​​how everything works because it was the first time I took part in a chess tournament. Then I spent a day or two examining the Paris solos when he played, and then we spent some time together before we went to Germany and the Maldives on the right holiday.

So far, it was just one tournament that I attended with him, where he played for several days, and then he changed for us into a holiday. But with the upcoming tournaments, I am sure I will have a clearer understanding of how things work and what the routine is.

Q.7) How well did you manage chess holes and how much did it teach you?

Nidhi: Details do not teach me, so I don’t know what the holes are called. I’m just a beginner, I carefully play at Chess.com without thinking a lot – I’m just enjoying the game. Of course, there are prizes and losses on the way. ”

Q.8) It was said that Gukesh is not a well -deserved champion. Among Fide and Freestyle Chess is also a continued Tussle. Do you think these comments and the war between Fide and Freestyle are unnecessary? And what is your view of criticism focused on a number of Indian players – especially the claim that they are not the real champions of the world? As for the Fide VS Freestyle debate, which side do you take and what is your view of it all?

Saw: I think these two problems are completely different. As for Gukesh, it is too early to judge. He has just achieved the title of the World Championship and had a strong performance in Wijk Aan Zee. Classic chess is obviously his strength, and I think the upcoming Norwegian chess in May will be a good test for him. It is well known that Gukesh did not pay much attention to other formats and it is time to adapt. So he probably still needs more time to adapt to freestyle and other formats. But I am sure he wants to excel in all of them, because to be the expected real world champion, it is expected to be proficient in all formats. I am convinced that he is very motivated to improve in this area.

As for the Fide vs. War Freestyle, I haven’t been in detail much, but any conflict that does not contribute to the growth of sport is not ideal. I hope they can agree, because I don’t think it must be about choosing between classic chess and freestyle chess. Both can coexist and if they can figure out how it works, it would be great for sport.

Published:

Sabyasachi Chowdhury

Published on:

May 5, 2025