Wei Yi, China’s top-ranked chess player, recently faced one of the toughest games of his career against India’s rising star, Gukesh. The match, originally intended to feature Ding Liren, was a highly anticipated clash between two of the world’s best. However, Ding’s mental health struggles led to Wei Yi stepping in on the top board.
Wei Yi admitted that it took him several days to recover from the grueling encounter, which ended in a stunning victory for Gukesh. The Chinese GM expressed admiration for Gukesh’s brilliant play, acknowledging that the young Indian prodigy is a formidable opponent.
Despite his loss, Wei Yi remains optimistic about Ding’s recovery. He believes that Ding is in a better state of mind and hopes he can regain his form soon. Wei Yi also praised the emergence of strong Indian players, particularly Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Pragg.
Wei Yi’s own journey has been marked by both success and challenges. As a teenager, he became one of the youngest grandmasters in history and surpassed Magnus Carlsen’s Elo rating records. However, he chose to pursue university studies for a few years, which coincided with the rise of a new generation of Indian players.
Wei Yi acknowledges that the Indian prodigies have a significant advantage by focusing solely on chess. He believes that it is nearly impossible to excel at two things simultaneously and that aspiring chess players must prioritize their goals.
Despite the challenges, Wei Yi remains determined to compete at the highest level. He hopes to qualify for the next Candidates Tournament, which would give him a chance to challenge for the World Championship.
