‘You can Sprint, but Need Rest to Sprint Again’: Vidit Gujrathi Calls for Change in Packed Chess Scheduling – News18

Ace Indian chess player Vidit Gujrathi, the fourth player in the country to have crossed the ELO rating threshold of 2700, opened up on the adverse effect the packed schedule of the Chess ecosystem has on the overall welfare of the players.

“It’s not ideal because we are just playing back-to-back tournaments. It comes at the cost of, let’s say, personal life or living in the comfort of your home. You are always on the go,” Gujrathi said.

He also laid emphasis on the physical toll the hectic calendar takes on one’ body.

“And it cannot be good for the physical body because you are not in one place. Your schedule is changing all the time. So, there is that cost,” he continued.

He continued to speak about the fast pace of the schedules and touched upon the need for rest to be able to perform up to one’s abilities.

“I feel chess has always lacked a bit of professionalism when it comes to these things, when it comes to scheduling and all that stuff. Like, for example, in any physical sport, you will see that there are gap days in (between) tournaments. Because the physical body needs to recover,” the 29-year-old said.

“But, here, we are expected to run at 120 miles per hour every single day. It’s not possible,” he added.

He called for change in the wider chess ecosystem taking into account the time one requires to recover.

“I cannot pinpoint one person or one entity. It’s the ecosystem in general. It’s just strange that there are no gap days. Like how do you recover? It’s actually such a basic thought, but nobody has given it enough attention,” he said further.

“You can do sprints, but you need that rest to sprint again. But that’s not understood in this world when it comes to chess. So, you are expected to perform at your best every single day without breaks,”  he reiterated.

Gujrathi, a part of the historic gold-winning Indian team at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, added he was happy with the maiden title for the nation, but also has bigger ambitions.

“It’s a good feeling (being part of the gold-winning team at the Olympiad), but nothing to be very happy about when I think of my own play. Because I have higher ambitions and I feel these things are just stepping stones,” the GM said.

“So, successes just the feedback that something is working and probably there are a few things if I am able to consistently do the same performances, then I will be happier. The way I played in the Grand Swiss 2023, where I played some of the best chess… I am seeking that form consistently,” he explained.

He also touched upon the double-edged sword of experimenting, reflecting on the risks and rewards that it comes with.

“I am experimenting with many things, trying to figure out what works or what doesn’t. These experiments sometimes are costly because you don’t know if they will work and you are taking some risks. So, I haven’t figured out the formula yet.

“Of course, there are trainers, psychologists and everything. But it all comes down to your own thinking. They can only contribute so much.”

He backed compatriot D Gukesh to edge Ding Liren at the World Championship Final, slated to be held in Singapore next month.

“Gukesh, I mean, he’s a clear favourite. There’s no doubt about that. Ding is really not showing his best play. My hope is that it’s a match, and should not be one-sided, at least from a spectator’s point of view. A one-sided match would be a real shame,” he signed off.