At the Chennai Olympiad, the Indian team began as second seeds, even with former World Champion Vishy Anand absent from the lineup. But it is the host country’s privilege to field more than one team, and India used its second team to showcase the next generation of talent. This team, which included three 16-year-olds,
even won bronze, narrowly ahead of the first team. The gold medals went to another team of exceptionally talented youngsters from Uzbekistan, while Armenia took silver.
Dommaraju Gukesh, who was born in Chennai, produced an astonishing performance on board 1 for the second team. He began with eight consecutive victories, including a victory over former World Championship challenger Fabiano Caruana. His outstanding debut invites comparison with Vladimir Kramnik’s 8.5/9 result at the Manila Olympiad in 1992, where he was also just 16 years old. Gukesh’s result will see him join the world top 30, and invitations to face the world elite will surely come soon.
Gukesh took down an experienced Armenian grandmaster with an energetic kingside attack.
Dommaraju Gukesh – Gabriel Sargissian
Fide Olympiad, Chennai, July 2022
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 Bb4 5 Qa4+ Nc6 6 e3 O-O 7 Bd2 dxc4 8 Bd6 9 Qc2 e5 10 dxe5 Nxe5 11 Be2 Nxf3+ 12 gxf3 Many would automatically recapture with the bishop, but opening the g-file is much more enterprising. a6 13 O-O-O b5 14 Rhg1 The h2 pawn is safe, as Black has no wish to open more lines for the White rooks. b4 15 Ne4 Nxe4 16 fxe4 Another good decision, as the central pawn mass soon assumes a key role in the attack. Qe7 17 f4 a5 17…f6 seems to be an improvement, to restrain the White pawns.
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in