In 2002, Viswanathan Anand secured his second Chess World Cup title in Hyderabad, while 16-year-old Pentala Harikrishna, already a Grandmaster, made his World Cup debut.
Harikrishna, after 23 years, continues to perform well, being one of the two Indians, alongside Arjun Erigaisi, still in the running for the 2025 edition, following his victory over Sweden’s Nils Grandelius in the fourth round.
Harikrishna, while not at his best, remains a competitive player and is one of three participants, alongside Vassily Ivanchuk and Surya Shekhar Ganguly, to have played in both the 2002 World Cup and the current edition in Goa. The former India No.1, aiming for his first Candidates Tournament spot, states he now plays solely for his passion for chess.
Harikrishna expressed that while his goals have evolved, his enjoyment of the game remains unchanged, as he now competes alongside players like Gukesh.
One of the primary reasons I play chess is my enjoyment of the game; if that enjoyment fades, I won’t strive to continue playing.
The Grandmaster from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, is uniquely recognized as the Second to both the men’s and women’s reigning World Champions. He assisted Gukesh and Ju Wenjun in their chess competitions, with Harikrishna being part of Ju’s team during the 2023 Women’s World Championship against Lei Tingjie while also working with Gukesh in his match against Ding Liren of China.
Harikrishna is recognized as an endgame master, displaying exceptional skills in concluding matches or achieving draws from unfavorable positions, reflecting his profound knowledge of chess. He enjoys the knockout format of the World Cup, preferring it over the round-robin style seen in competitions like the Grand Prix or Grand Swiss.
Harikrishna reflects on his experience, saying he is unsure if this is his 10th or 11th World Cup but is pleased to participate. He emphasizes the importance of staying solid and risk-free during the tournament, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of knockout formats. At 39, he appreciates the double-round knockout format for its potential for redemption after a loss.
The prospect of quick elimination after a poor performance offers a relief from extended disappointment, as stressed by Harikrishna. He emphasizes the need for focus in every match, noting that losing results in immediate departure rather than prolonged suffering. His experiences have taught him to remain present and adjust his ambitions based on current circumstances and the tournaments at hand, particularly taking the World Cup one match at a time due to its difficulty, while viewing the Candidates as a significant future commitment.
