Besides being one of the best chess players in the world at the moment, Hikaru Nakamura is also one of the best content creators on the sport on social media. Unlike many other players, the 36-year-old American is keen on fan engagement, is active on all social media platforms and doesn’t hold his views back. Nakamura speaks with Boria Majumdar about the Global Chess League (GCL), the upcoming World Championship battle between D Gukesh versus Ding Liren, Viswanathan Anand, his love for Indian history and more.
Excerpt:
Your thoughts on the GCL and what it means for the sport?
It’s a worthy innovation. Without beating around the bush let me state this clearly. In chess things have remained the same for a long time. Be it the Candidates, Grand Swiss, World Championship or most of the other tournaments, things haven’t changed much. I am not getting into a value judgment here, just telling you how things are, that things haven’t really changed. Every sport needs innovation. That’s where the GCL slots in. It is a refreshing addition to the calendar and allows for greater fan engagement and a very different format. I think it is good for the sport going forward.
Do you think the sport needs more active engagement between players and fans?
Yes, I believe that there should be more active engagement between players and fans. I also believe that players should do more. For the sport to grow we need to do this. Fans and sponsors have many other alternatives. For a change, we need to think from their perspective. Why should they invest in chess? Why not something else? Why not any other sport? What is it that we are doing for them? If the players don’t make the fans feel a part of it and don’t make the sponsors feel welcome, the sport will lose out. We all need to play our part to promote the sport.
You credited Viswanathan Anand for the chess revolution in India. You said, “It is truly unfathomable how this kid would come from a country with no chess culture and not only become World Champion, but inspire generations of Indian kids to push chess forward.” Can you elaborate?
There is a very significant difference between Anand and any one of us including Magnus Carlsen. We have all had the help of technology to better our game and get to where we have. Anand did not have any of this. At the time he came up, there was no technology. He had to come up the hard way. Even the chess books weren’t readily available in India. To come from that situation and take on the world and win five world titles is just mind-boggling. That’s why he deserves a lot more credit than we all give him. Unless you really think about how he has done what he has done, you won’t know how good he was. He deserves to be celebrated a lot more. And this current generation of Indian stars all owe it to him.
D Gukesh is going to take on Ding Liren in the World Championship next month. Who do you think is the favourite to win?
It is pretty straightforward. Gukesh has been in the best form of his life for some time now. See his efforts in the Olympiad and other tournaments. Also, he is still young and is improving and will continue to get better. Ding, on the other hand, has not been remotely close to his best for a year and a half now and isn’t improving. Unless Ding does something dramatic, both with his form and mentally, Gukesh is a runway favourite for the world title. And if he wins, it will further add to the Indian chess story.
You seem to have a lot of interest in India. What else do you like about India? Do you like Indian food?
Indian food I can’t really say I do regularly. This is only because it is a little spicy for me! But, I absolutely love to read about Indian history and Indian culture. I read a lot about Ratan Tata who passed away recently and his contribution to India. I have also read about the freedom movement and [Mahatma] Gandhi. I find it fascinating. I have watched some Bollywood films and want to watch more. I think the next 10 years belong to India and it is important for all of us to be a part of this journey and help the growth story as much as we can. It is what will propel chess forward.
How do you see your role as a chess player vis-à-vis a content creator?
I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. As a player it is my responsibility to create content on chess, play with fans, play with amateur players, and do as much as possible so that the constituency grows. Like I told you there are plenty of alternatives out there. We need to make sure we use the momentum the sport has and take it ahead. Unless I sync my role as a player and content creator, I won’t be able to play my part in this story
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com)
Excerpt:
Your thoughts on the GCL and what it means for the sport?
It’s a worthy innovation. Without beating around the bush let me state this clearly. In chess things have remained the same for a long time. Be it the Candidates, Grand Swiss, World Championship or most of the other tournaments, things haven’t changed much. I am not getting into a value judgment here, just telling you how things are, that things haven’t really changed. Every sport needs innovation. That’s where the GCL slots in. It is a refreshing addition to the calendar and allows for greater fan engagement and a very different format. I think it is good for the sport going forward.
Do you think the sport needs more active engagement between players and fans?
Yes, I believe that there should be more active engagement between players and fans. I also believe that players should do more. For the sport to grow we need to do this. Fans and sponsors have many other alternatives. For a change, we need to think from their perspective. Why should they invest in chess? Why not something else? Why not any other sport? What is it that we are doing for them? If the players don’t make the fans feel a part of it and don’t make the sponsors feel welcome, the sport will lose out. We all need to play our part to promote the sport.
You credited Viswanathan Anand for the chess revolution in India. You said, “It is truly unfathomable how this kid would come from a country with no chess culture and not only become World Champion, but inspire generations of Indian kids to push chess forward.” Can you elaborate?
There is a very significant difference between Anand and any one of us including Magnus Carlsen. We have all had the help of technology to better our game and get to where we have. Anand did not have any of this. At the time he came up, there was no technology. He had to come up the hard way. Even the chess books weren’t readily available in India. To come from that situation and take on the world and win five world titles is just mind-boggling. That’s why he deserves a lot more credit than we all give him. Unless you really think about how he has done what he has done, you won’t know how good he was. He deserves to be celebrated a lot more. And this current generation of Indian stars all owe it to him.
D Gukesh is going to take on Ding Liren in the World Championship next month. Who do you think is the favourite to win?
It is pretty straightforward. Gukesh has been in the best form of his life for some time now. See his efforts in the Olympiad and other tournaments. Also, he is still young and is improving and will continue to get better. Ding, on the other hand, has not been remotely close to his best for a year and a half now and isn’t improving. Unless Ding does something dramatic, both with his form and mentally, Gukesh is a runway favourite for the world title. And if he wins, it will further add to the Indian chess story.
You seem to have a lot of interest in India. What else do you like about India? Do you like Indian food?
Indian food I can’t really say I do regularly. This is only because it is a little spicy for me! But, I absolutely love to read about Indian history and Indian culture. I read a lot about Ratan Tata who passed away recently and his contribution to India. I have also read about the freedom movement and [Mahatma] Gandhi. I find it fascinating. I have watched some Bollywood films and want to watch more. I think the next 10 years belong to India and it is important for all of us to be a part of this journey and help the growth story as much as we can. It is what will propel chess forward.
How do you see your role as a chess player vis-à-vis a content creator?
I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. As a player it is my responsibility to create content on chess, play with fans, play with amateur players, and do as much as possible so that the constituency grows. Like I told you there are plenty of alternatives out there. We need to make sure we use the momentum the sport has and take it ahead. Unless I sync my role as a player and content creator, I won’t be able to play my part in this story
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com)
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