Born on October 24, 1994, in Nashik, Maharashtra, Vidit's journey from being a boy showing a flair for chess to a much-recognized international GM is nothing less than exemplary.
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Source Credit - telanganatoday.com |
At 17 he has been able to create a niche for himself in the most competitive game of chess, showing exceptional skill and unwavering dedication.
Early Life and Introduction to Chess
Vidit was introduced to chess at the age of seven. His parents taught him to play, and he took a quick interest with an inherent talent for it.
Once his potential was recognized, his parents supported his passion by providing him with the required training.
Vidit started participating in local tournaments, and his consistent victories caught the attention of coaches and chess aficionados.
Rapid Rise Through the Ranks
Vidit's growth in chess has been very fast. At the age of 10, he had already become a force to be reckoned with in national-level tournaments.
His first major breakthrough came in 2006 when he won the Asian Youth Championship in the Under-12 category. This victory marked the beginning of his journey to international fame.
In 2008 he won the World Youth Chess Championship in the Under-14 category, which really established him as one of the world's brightest young talents.
That victory at the championship brought him the title of FIDE Master, marking one of the biggest milestones in his career.
Becoming a Grandmaster
One of Vidit's most marvellous achievements is when in 2013, he became the 30th Grandmaster of India.
He achieved this title at the age of 18 after getting the required norms in various international tournaments. This was due to years of hard work and dedication towards achieving perfection.
The path to becoming a grandmaster is not easy at all; it requires brilliant skills combined with a load of mental stamina and strategic acumen.
Vidit's journey involved rigorous training sessions, innumerable hours of practice, and fighting through many tournaments around the globe.
Notable Performances and Victories
His career is also embellished by several stellar performances and wins. Among these, the victory at Tata Steel Challengers in 2014, which called forth an invitation to the prestigious Tata Steel Masters in 2015, needs to be mentioned.
While competing against some of the top players around the world, Vidit proved his mettle before the global chess community.
In 2017, Vidit participated in the Chess World Cup and got as far as the fourth round, winning games against higher-ranked opponents along the way. This further proved him to be a force to be reckoned with on the global scene.
Another breakthrough came in the form of Vidit's victory in the 2018 Biel International Chess Festival.
This was proof of strategic genius combined with competitive strength at the very best level. Drawing from Vidit's steady performances in different tournaments, he is among the great chess players of his generation.
Playing Style and Strengths
The style of Vidit is characterised by great erudition in the positional game and an eye for tactics. He is known for deep home preparation and skill to outmanoeuvre rivals in very complex positions.
On the whole, Vidit's games are saturated with strategic thinking, precise calculation, and coolness under pressure.
One of his strengths is that he is versatile, comfortable playing both in the classical and rapid formats of the game. This has enabled him to excel across different tournaments and against a wide diversity of opposition.
Contributions to Indian Chess
Success has come not only to Vidit individually; it has also added to the growing diapers of Indian chess across the globe.
He is inarguably one of the most inspirational figures Indian chess has ever had during recent times, wherein young players have started taking up the sport and reached out to him.
Other than the laurels he brings home in the competitive field, Vidit is deeply involved in the popularisation of chess across India.
He regularly conducts training sessions and attends chess camps, often personally mentoring aspiring players.
His efforts in popularising the game and nurturing young talent have made him a role model for the next generation of Indian chess players.
Future Prospects and Aspirations
Even at the young age of 17, Vidit Gujrathi has achieved what people can only dream about. However, he still looks towards his career and what more can be done to reach new heights in chess.
His ultimate goal is to become World Champion, and if his current graph can be taken as an indicator, the aspiration does not seem far from being attained.
Therefore, the future prospects of Vidit stand very bright. If he can get continuous dedication and rigour with work and training, then quite soon he will participate in top-tier tournaments and will be able to achieve much more than he has done until now.
The chess community is yearningly looking forward to his future performances and also the impact that he shall certainly continue to make on the game.
Final Thoughts
From wide-eyed young chess enthusiast to Grandmaster at 17, Vidit Gujrathi has come a long way.
He proved to the world that he was talented, hardworking, and dedicated, but he also made a mark on Indian chess in the international arena. With Vidit still growing as a player, the world is waiting in eagerness for the best yet to come.
Written by Shugunpal Kaur
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