Team Herald
PANJIM: Indian chess great Dibyendu Barua has lauded the scale and execution of the FIDE World Cup in Goa, describing it as ‘absolutely fantastic’ and among the best-run events in recent years.
Barua credited the Government of Goa, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and its president Nitin Narang, as well as the Goa Chess Association, for delivering a seamless month-long tournament featuring over 200 players. He singled out Tournament Director Dharmashtra V Kunte and AICF’s Dharmendra for ‘working day and night’ to ensure its success.
Assessing India’s performance, Barua admitted it was disappointing that none of the 24 Indian participants progressed to the latter stages of the knockout championship, won by a 19-year-old from Uzbekistan. But he stressed the unforgiving nature of the format. “Any favourite can be knocked out. It all depends on how one plays on a particular day,” he said, noting that Arjun Erigaisi’s advance to Round 5 remained a strong achievement.
Barua cautioned against attributing the Indian exits to exhaustion or over-scheduling without concrete information. While fatigue may have affected some, he said knockout chess is decided by razor-thin margins. “At that particular moment, if you make a mistake, it is gone,” he remarked, emphasising the importance of focus, control and emotional balance.
The former Olympian said Goa’s expanding chess ecosystem would benefit enormously from hosting the World Cup. The large crowds that flocked to watch top Indian players demonstrated, he said, the state’s deep and growing enthusiasm for the sport.
Looking ahead, Barua expressed confidence in India’s long-term prospects. He highlighted the rise of Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, alongside new world junior champions and experienced elite players like Vidit Gujrathi and Pentala Harikrishna. “India is now ruling the world,” Barua said, pointing to the country’s world No.1 team ranking and its reigning men’s and women’s World Cup champions. “A lot of young generations are coming up. The future is very bright.”
