Vachier-Lagrave: A Strong Olympiad Showing Could Boost Gukesh Ahead of World Championship Defence

French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has suggested that Indian world champion D. Gukesh’s performance at the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, could significantly influence his mindset ahead of the World Chess Championship title match against Javokhir Sindarov later this year in Geneva. Vachier-Lagrave made the remarks while speaking to Sportstar during his visit to Bengaluru for the Global Chess League, where he represents the Cheq Mumba Masters franchise.

A Potential Confidence Boost

Vachier-Lagrave noted that Gukesh has previously delivered strong performances at the Olympiad, the premier world team championship in chess, and that a repeat of that form could prove invaluable heading into the world title clash. The Olympiad is scheduled to begin on September 15 in Uzbekistan, the home country of Gukesh’s challenger, Javokhir Sindarov. According to Vachier-Lagrave, channeling the confidence from prior team events could help Gukesh enter the world championship cycle in a stronger mental state.

Gukesh’s Recent Struggles and Experimental Play

The Frenchman acknowledged that Gukesh has encountered a patch of inconsistent results in recent outings, but attributed those difficulties in part to a willingness to experiment and step outside his usual repertoire. Vachier-Lagrave described the Indian champion as a formidable opponent and recalled several demanding encounters between the two. He suggested that a positive result at the Olympiad might restore the rhythm and self-belief required to perform at peak level against Sindarov.

No Clear Favourite in the Title Match

Although many observers view Sindarov, who will be competing at home shortly before the match, as a potential favourite, Vachier-Lagrave declined to single out either player. He characterised the upcoming contest as a meeting of two highly talented young grandmasters whose styles could produce a hard-fought battle. He also pointed to Gukesh’s previous world championship campaign against Ding Liren as a reminder that momentum can shift quickly in elite-level play.

Vachier-Lagrave’s Own World Championship Aspirations

Beyond his views on Gukesh and Sindarov, Vachier-Lagrave is preparing for his own competitive milestones. He is set to participate in the pilot edition of the newly launched Total Chess World Championship Tour, expressing enthusiasm about being part of the inaugural field for the event.

Looking Ahead

With the Olympiad in Samarkand set to open on September 15 and the World Chess Championship title match scheduled for later this year in Geneva, the next several months are poised to be defining for Gukesh, Sindarov, and the broader elite circuit that includes Vachier-Lagrave himself.

Source

This report is based on information published by Sportstar (The Hindu) — Chess.

Official source: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/chess/gukesh-form-world-chess-championship-olympiad-uzbekistan-maxime-vachier-lagrave/article71435694.ece