Gukesh Challenges Wesley So: A Clash of Chess Titans
Indian Grandmaster Gukesh D aims to surpass Wesley So in world chess.
Photo by Hassan Pasha
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper III: Sports and Games
GS Paper II: International Relations (impact of chess on global image)
Potential question types: factual, analytical, current affairs
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Background
Chess, as a competitive sport, has a rich history dating back centuries. Its modern form emerged in Europe during the 15th century. The establishment of standardized rules and the organization of formal tournaments in the 19th century marked a significant turning point.
The World Chess Championship, first officially recognized in 1886, became the pinnacle of achievement. The establishment of FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) in 1924 further formalized the sport, creating a global governing body responsible for setting rules, organizing tournaments, and awarding titles such as Grandmaster. The Soviet Union dominated chess for much of the 20th century, producing a string of world champions.
The rise of computers and chess engines in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has revolutionized the game, providing new tools for analysis and training.
Latest Developments
In recent years, chess has witnessed a surge in popularity, fueled by online platforms and streaming services. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, as people sought indoor activities. Online chess platforms have democratized the game, allowing players of all skill levels to compete and learn.
The rise of young prodigies, like Gukesh, has also captured public attention. Artificial intelligence continues to play an increasingly important role in chess, with engines now capable of defeating even the strongest human players. This has led to new approaches to training and analysis.
The future of chess is likely to involve a greater integration of technology, with online tournaments and AI-assisted training becoming increasingly common.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which of the following statements regarding the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) is/are correct? 1. FIDE was established in 1924. 2. FIDE is responsible for awarding the Grandmaster title. 3. FIDE only governs professional chess and has no role in amateur chess. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. FIDE governs both professional and amateur chess.
2. In the context of chess, consider the following pairs: List I (Title) List II (Governing Body) 1. Grandmaster : FIDE 2. World Champion : World Chess Federation 3. National Champion : Respective National Chess Federations Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Pair 1 and 3 are correctly matched. The 'World Chess Federation' is another name for FIDE.
3. Assertion (A): The use of AI in chess has significantly altered training methodologies for players. Reason (R): AI chess engines can analyze games and provide insights beyond human capabilities. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.
Source Articles
D Gukesh is official champion, ‘political’ FIDE has organised too many world titles, says Wesley So | Chess News - The Indian Express
Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, Indian chess’ Karan Arjun, reunited for Global Chess League 3 at PBG Alaskan Knights | Chess News - The Indian Express
The miracle of St Louis: Gukesh turns around terrible position to secure 4th win in row vs Fabiano Caruana | Chess News - The Indian Express
Gukesh settles for pragmatic 3rd place; Magnus Carlsen shrugs and clucks his way to Zagreb victory | Chess News - The Indian Express
Chess World Cup, Round 2 Game 1 Highlights: Gukesh, Pragg & Nihal forced to share points; Arjun Erigaisi, Pranav win | Chess News - The Indian Express