In the high-stakes world of elite chess, where prodigies rise and fall with bewildering speed, one name consistently occupies the upper echelons: Anish Giri. For well over a decade, Giri has been a fixture among the sport`s finest, a grandmaster whose technical prowess and deep understanding of the game are beyond dispute. Yet, for all his undeniable talent and consistent performance, the ultimate crown—the World Championship—has remained just out of reach, solidifying his reputation as one of chess`s most persistent “nearly-men.” But to count him out now would be to misunderstand the subtle strength of a seasoned warrior.
The Veteran`s Undiminished Resolve
While some legendary figures, like Magnus Carlsen, have publicly expressed a waning interest in the grueling demands of classical chess after achieving every conceivable honor, Giri operates from a different psychological landscape. “Of course, Carlsen has won everything, I don`t have that problem, so motivation is still very much there,” he states with a wry smile. This candid admission highlights a crucial difference: for Giri, the hunger for the singular, defining triumph remains as fierce as ever. He sees his journey not as a series of missed opportunities, but as an ongoing quest, fueled by an ambition yet to be fully realized.
Wisdom Against the Tide of Youth
The contemporary chess scene is often characterized by a “youth revolution,” with brilliant talents like Gukesh Dommaraju, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Alireza Firouzja rapidly ascending to the top. This influx of young blood might seem daunting to a veteran, but Giri views it with a pragmatic perspective. He contends that the fundamental challenge of competing at the elite level today is not vastly different from his own early career battles against stalwarts like Carlsen, Aronian, and Kramnik. The opponents change, but the strategic imperative to outwit remains constant. His tournaments continue to be “fine,” and his training games confirm his undiminished strength, suggesting his chances of becoming World Champion are no lower than they were a decade ago.
The Art of the Impregnable Defense
If there`s one hallmark of Giri`s play, it is his extraordinary defensive capability. He rarely loses a game of classical chess, a testament to his uncanny ability to find defensive resources even in the most perilous positions. In 2025, a year where he played 34 classical games, he suffered only one loss while drawing 24. “Because I am such a good defender, I can draw even when I`m playing badly,” Giri remarks, a statement that might sound like self-deprecation but reveals a profound understanding of his own strategic assets. This resilience ensures he is always in contention, a player who consistently maximizes his results and minimizes his losses, a crucial trait in the unforgiving tournament environment. The Chennai Grand Masters, where he secured seven draws in as many rounds, including salvaging difficult positions against Vidit Gujrathi and Nihal Sarin, serves as a prime example of this defensive mastery.
Navigating the Evolving Game
The advent of powerful chess engines has fundamentally reshaped the game, accelerating its evolution at an unprecedented pace. Giri acknowledges this transformation, noting with a touch of playful irony how quickly younger players perceive his “old” experience. “When I tell these young guys what it was like ten years ago, they look at me like I`m some kind of grandpa,” he quips. Yet, this “grandpa” status comes with a distinct advantage: a deeply ingrained, intuitive understanding of chess that allows him to spot subtle positional nuances and even the “mistakes” of younger opponents who might have spent considerable time contemplating their moves. This accumulated wisdom, refined over countless hours of play against the very best, is now his most potent weapon in a landscape increasingly defined by computational analysis.
The Final Ascent
Giri`s confidence is not unfounded. Victories, such as his triumph at the 2025 Sharjah Masters where he defeated Abdusattorov, serve as concrete proof of his enduring capability. He considers it a “crime against his career” to retire without giving the World Championship “another proper shot” in the current cycle, signaling his firm commitment to this ultimate goal. With the Grand Swiss and the World Cup on the horizon, events critical for World Championship qualification, Giri believes his unique blend of experience, his virtually impenetrable defense, and that elusive “little bit of luck” could be the decisive factors. The narrative of the persistent grandmaster, continually challenging the chess hierarchy, is far from over. Anish Giri`s quest to potentially dethrone Gukesh and claim the world title is not merely a personal ambition; it`s a compelling storyline for anyone who appreciates the enduring power of skill, resilience, and an unwavering belief in one`s own capabilities.
Marcus Bellamy