GM Siddharth Jagadeesh says ‘friend’ Gukesh’s World Championship win will have huge impact on Singapore chess
The HinduSingapore’s youngest and latest Grandmaster, Siddharth Jagadeesh, on Thursday, recalled the time when D. Gukesh offered him a “mercy draw” in an u-9 Asian Championship. It was because he thought the match was “more interesting” since it had Gukesh, whom he’d known “for a long time.” “So, my game would finish at maybe 7 p.m. or so. When two players of their calibre play, definitely there will always be something very instructive.” Speaking of the impact that the hosting of the World Championship match is bound to have on Chess in Singapore, he said: “In Singapore, we don’t have much of a chess culture. “So, to hold it in Singapore where so many kids watched, I think it will definitely cause a chess boom.” As a fellow 18-year-old, he spoke about how inspiring Gukesh’s journey has been.