Bengaluru: Reigning world champion D Gukesh said that it was his idea to play on Board 4 in the ongoing FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
“I haven’t played outside China after the World Championship match. The Chinese GM took some time off from chess following the match. “Life is not only about chess. I have other hobbies.”
On Friday, defending champions India (Open) defeated Italy 3-1 with Gukesh getting his second win in three games. It saw him climb back into the 2700 club after he dropped out of it in the live ratings following a draw on Thursday. Ding lost the match and the world champion crown to Gukesh in December 2024.
“This Olympiad is my first foreign tournament in two years,” Ding said.
On the talk about it not being a good look to have the world champion playing on Board 4, he said. The top-seeded Indian women’s team defeated Greece 3.5-0.5, with Koneru Humpy avenging her Global Chess League defeat to the Player of the tournament, Stavroula Tsolakidou. It was my idea and the whole team too thought the same…that this order gives us the best chance of winning the tournament. “If the team needs it, I would rest all the games. No player is bigger than the country. I’m just happy to do whatever it takes for the team to do well.
“It’s pretty clear that Pragg and Arjun have been in pretty great shape,” he said, “The ratings say the same.
