At Chess Olympiad, a gambit for Gukesh — and for India

In the lead-up to India's participation in the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, the team's captain, Srinath Narayanan, made a bold decision. Gukesh D, the reigning world champion, would be playing on board 4, a position that has never been held by a world champion before. Traditionally, World no. 1 players are assigned to board 1, where they compete against the best talents from other nations. The assignment of board numbers is crucial, as it ensures the country's top players are pitted against the strongest of their peers.

Narayanan's choice of placing Gukesh on board 4 raises questions about the team management's confidence in the 20-year-old after a series of setbacks. Since becoming the world champion, Gukesh's ranking has dropped from World no. 5 in December 2024 to current World no. 31, rated 2703. In his most recent tournament, the Chennai Grandmasters, he failed to secure a single win. Gukesh himself has admitted that his weakness lies in taking risky moves, which can prove detrimental when a player's confidence is waning.

However, India's decision to bypass Gukesh and assign him to a lower board position might actually prove beneficial for the reigning world champion. The Olympiad format consists of 11 rounds, and starting on a lower board allows Gukesh to face weaker opponents, which could be the perfect environment for him to regain his confidence.

As Gukesh's playing style thrives on risk-taking, playing against less formidable adversaries would provide him with an opportunity to showcase his skills without having to worry about paying the price for his aggressive approach. This gambit may ultimately help India retain the gold they so proudly won at the previous Olympiads.