The Tata Steel Chess post-game interview of the 9th round looked very different than usual! Anish Giri took a floor and hosted the interview with his good friend Vidit Santosh Gujrathi. Vidit played a draw against his compatriot Gukesh D, and the game was not very intimidating.
Here’s how the interview flew between the two super grandmasters:
Giri: Vidit, I saw you made the draw, I didn’t really see the game but I guess it was boring?
Vidit: Yeah I’ve been following your footsteps.
Giri: Wonderful. You are facing Gukesh next. You never played him before, are you afraid, with the whole country watching, that you’ll embarrass yourself?
Vidit: Not really, I mean I don’t know why this thought would cross your mind, but I guess you’re keeping a close eye on the other candidates so it’s good to know that.
Giri: Wonderful. Now what is your plan for the rest of your tournament and do you have any ambitions to perhaps try and
catch the leaders?
Vidit: You’re just half a point ahead so it’s well within the reach. Four rounds more to go and I think there is a good chance.
Giri: I saw you made many draws in this tournament. What are you going to do to try and address that and start winning some games for a change?
Vidit: It reminds me of your 2016 candidates, and you got so much trolling, which was I think unfair, for making so many draws so I thought okay I’ll take that tag which you have for so many years, for just one tournament, and let you have a good time.
After a hilarious analysis of Vidit’s game, Giri asked about Vidit’s seconds at the Candidates tournament! The Indian grandmaster revealed his team is only partially ready!
Giri: Final question, not related to this, but everybody is speculating who will be your seconds for the Candidates tournament?
Vidit: Honest answer is, even I don’t know. My team is only partially ready. The things will be revealed in good time.
Giri: Now finally, the most important question, what is your favorite social media platform?
Vidit: It’s an easy one, I’m using Wildr throughout the tournament. I’ve not joined your dinner challenge but I’m doing the chess recaps there. The dinner challenge I think is skippable but the chess challenge is mandatory.
Giri: I would say we are looking forward to your daily recap on Wildr!
See the complete interview below.
