NEW DELHI: Russia wears its historical past like an heirloom, one thing not possible to disregard. Chess, naturally, is one among its proudest legacies.India, one other civilisation rooted in deep traditions, has spent the previous few a long time carving out its personal place on the worldwide chess map, producing prodigies and sharing podiums at a tempo that even the outdated guard now acknowledges.
Sure, Russia, beforehand a part of the USSR, should still have extra world champions, however when Russian Grandmaster Volodar Murzin speaks of India, he retains the sport of 64 squares apart. As a substitute, his thoughts jumps to one thing way more scrumptious, one thing way more edible.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!For 19-year-old Murzin, India begins with mangoes, paneer, and sugarcane juice, the trio that has clearly check-mated his style buds.“I’ve performed in India many occasions earlier than,” Murzin informed TimesofIndia.com from his residence in Russia throughout an unique interplay. “Once I was in India, I ate a whole lot of mangoes, drank sugarcane juice, and I like Indian paneer.”And what about spice?“I like spicy meals. Yeah. For me, this isn’t an issue. The Indian paneer could be very tasty.”As India prepares to host the International Chess League (GCL) for the primary time on the iconic Royal Opera Home in Mumbai from December 14 to 23, Murzin, the 2024 FIDE Fast champion, will be a part of the fray as one of many sharpest younger minds.Retained by the American Gambits, Murzin is sort of constructive in regards to the third season.“I like the sort of event,” he added. “I at all times like workforce competitions… you may speak with sturdy gamers in your workforce.”That includes Hikaru Nakamura, Richard Rapport, Vladislav Artemiev, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Teodora Injac, and Volodar Murzin, American Gambits have one of many strongest line-ups within the league this season.Though Murzin hasn’t spoken to his celebrity teammates but in regards to the upcoming season, he feels communication will not be a difficulty.“I do know everybody in my workforce. I’ve good communication with all of them,” he informed this web site.“After all we wish to win… however we simply have to play and never take into consideration that,” he added, sounding like a veteran who has seen sufficient strain for his age.When requested about his general expertise since lifting the World Fast title final yr, Murzin admits the crown modified one thing inside.“I simply grew to become extra assured,” {the teenager} added. “It is going to be simpler to play now as a result of I really feel extra snug.”However 2025 hasn’t been excellent. “It was not a superb yr for me… I did not play very nicely. I simply want a bit of bit extra time,” he defined.But his ambition is sharp. He needs to enhance his classical chess: “Generally I can take into consideration quarter-hour… if I begin to play sooner, I believe I’ll grow to be a high participant for certain.”Ask him about Candidates 2026, and he feels that the skilled ones within the circuit are barely extra favourites: “Caruana has good probabilities. He’s in fine condition, very sturdy. Anish Giri too”
Ballot
Who do you assume is essentially the most thrilling younger chess participant as we speak?
With Doha internet hosting the World Fast & Blitz Championships from December 25 to 31, Murzin is conscious of the potential problem: “There are a whole lot of sturdy gamers, and it’s totally attention-grabbing to play in opposition to them.”Nonetheless, he doesn’t draw back from naming the opponents he’d like to face: Arjun Erigaisi and Hans Niemann.“Erigaisi has an attention-grabbing model… he’s like an intuitive participant,” Murzin added. “And Hans too, very attention-grabbing model.”However earlier than all these, the way forward for Russian chess is coming to Mumbai for the GCL and maybe for dessert-worthy mangoes and protein-packed paneer.ALSO READ: From ‘dying from spice’ to ‘iPhone revolt’ and ‘Gukesh mode’: Dutch No.1 Anish Giri opens field of not-quite-chess tales | Unique