Vidit Gujrathi: I went through a bit of an existential crisis after Candidates disappointment

Daily, thousands from around the world gather to capture a photo with Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India.

So, it wasn’t hard to convince Vidit Gujrathi to step out of the Gateway-facing Taj Mahal Palace Hotel for a quick photo before the Sportstar Aces 2025 awards night. Even as one of the world’s top chess players, the tourist in him remains very much alive.

The brief photo session was soon interrupted by surprised chess fans. Vidit, momentarily taken aback by the quick recognition, smiled and graciously posed for selfies.

Back inside the hotel, we settled in for a long, insightful conversation — covering his Candidates 2024 campaign, his ‘tech’ aspirations, and the ‘low-key’ 2025 he has planned.

The Candidates Tournament was the highlight of 2024 for you. What were your key learnings from it?

I remember how incredible it felt when I qualified for the Candidates after winning the FIDE Grand Swiss. It was a euphoric moment because we had been preparing so intensely for it. I put my heart and soul into chess for nearly two years.

Once I qualified, I completely shut out the world. I went off social media and focused entirely on chess. I invested a lot of money into training because I didn’t want any regrets. I’m very proud that I gave it my all.

There were highs and lows in the Candidates. It started well — I was the first player to win a game. However, the problem was that I failed to convert several winning positions. Against [Fabiano] Caruana and [Ian] Nepomniachtchi, for example, I couldn’t hold onto my advantage when those winning positions arrived.

Looking back, do you think there was anything you could have done differently in your preparation?

Possibly. I was mainly working on the technical aspects of my game, but I could have focused more on the mental side — perhaps some mental conditioning coaching. I think that’s where I fell short in crucial moments. I was extremely composed in some games, like my wins against Hikaru [Nakamura], but I struggled to maintain that consistency. That’s what bothers me now when I reflect on it.

Is that something you plan to work on in the future?

Yes, of course. It’s a never-ending process. The period after the Candidates was tough for me because I had given everything to it and didn’t get the results I wanted. I felt empty and didn’t know what to do next. What was my next goal? I had dedicated myself entirely to the Candidates — so what now? I went through a bit of an existential crisis.

How did you overcome that phase?

For about a month after the Candidates, I was completely burnt out. Then I moved from Nashik to Mumbai. I felt that a change in environment and being around friends would help. I also eased off my chess preparation for a while. It took two to three months to find my rhythm again.

You turned 30 recently. Given that chess is a sport increasingly dominated by younger players, how are you handling it?

It’s something that lingers in the back of my mind. I’ve realised that the best way to deal with it is to accept that I’m 30 and make decisions accordingly. The way I eat has changed, and my sleep pattern has changed. If I tried living as though I were still 18, it wouldn’t work.

At first, it wasn’t easy, but I’ve managed to reset my goals, and I feel I’m getting a better grasp on things now. Also, I met my fiancée around this time, so turning 30 hasn’t been bad.

You mentioned the FIDE Grand Swiss title. Do you consider that the best victory of your career?

Absolutely. It was an extremely strong field, and I lost my first-round game. I’m very proud to bounce back and win what’s regarded as the strongest open tournament. I also remember making some incredibly aggressive moves — quite unlike my usual style. I was bold and fearless, and I loved that.

You were one of the first Indian chess players to explore streaming. What led you to that decision?

I had always wanted to try it, but until 2017-18, the internet where I lived wasn’t good enough for streaming. Then I moved houses, and at the same time, the pandemic hit. I can’t sit idle — I’m a workaholic, or at least I used to be.

Engaging with an audience comes naturally to me, and I’m good at chess, so I combined the two. The timing was perfect as well, with so many people streaming and consuming content. Many who had drifted away from chess started watching it again during the pandemic.

Chess, like any professional sport, has rivalries, but you’ve struck up a strong friendship with fellow Super GM Anish Giri. It’s probably the best ‘bromance’ in the chess world. How did it start, and what is the foundation of your friendship beyond chess?

In 2015, we were both at the World Cup. I got knocked out early, and he [Anish] was still in the tournament. I didn’t know him well, but we met through mutual friends. I asked him if he needed a coach since I had already been eliminated, and he said no. So our relationship started with rejection [laughs].

Later, when he qualified for the Candidates, he reached out to me for an online training session. We worked together for a week, and he liked the energy and vibe. That led to him inviting me to the Netherlands for training.

We ended up working together on and off for two years across various events. The best thing was how well our energy matched. He’s funny, and I can take his jokes. He can take mine too. We’re also the same age, which helped. Plus, he has a wonderful family and a very homely environment.

Despite this, you didn’t include Anish in your Candidates’ preparation team…

I wanted to transition to a more aggressive style of play, and his style didn’t align with that. So although he’s a great friend, from a technical standpoint, it wasn’t the right fit. It was a pragmatic decision.

In a recent interview, you mentioned considering retirement or moving to something less stressful. Is that thought still on your mind?

Yes, it is. Look at Magnus Carlsen — he’s not playing classical tournaments now, but he still plays rapid and blitz because of his deep love for chess.

I also have a passion for chess — otherwise, I wouldn’t have played for 23-24 years. But I have other interests too. I’m very tech-savvy. I love technology, I read about it constantly, and I’ve even tried to build things myself. I was learning to code at one point and wanted to create software. Now, with AI, I want to explore what’s possible.

I’m a tech nerd, and I’m also Gujarati — so business is in my DNA! Maybe I’ll explore tech or business or even combine the two.

Chess is an inherently stressful game, especially at the highest level. How do you manage that stress?

Any professional sportsperson experiences stress, anxiety, and fear. The best thing about sports is that it provides quick feedback. A normal person may not get that feedback as immediately, but in sports, there’s always something at stake.

It’s like being thrown into a cage — that’s when your instincts kick in, and you realise where you stand. Chess has given me immense self-awareness and has been my greatest catalyst for spiritual growth because it has helped me understand myself better.

Is that what led you to meditation, or was it something you always practised?

I was always inclined towards spirituality but didn’t know which path to take. In 2019, I came across a video and a book by my Guru, Om Swamiji. I later visited his ashram in Himachal Pradesh. That’s when I found a mentor for life.

He guided me in working on myself, and meditation became an integral part of my routine. All my success in chess has been, in some way, because of his guidance.

Another significant factor is, of course, your fiancee, Nidhi Kataria. How does she support you through the process?

I am blessed to have found someone like Nidhi, who is extremely supportive. She was new to the chess world but made an effort to learn the game. She tried following my matches but couldn’t understand much, so she would rely on the engine bar to figure out what was happening.

She is very soft-spoken and gentle. Having a supportive partner who truly understands you is often underrated. Chess players go through a lot emotionally, and she has been my rock — grounding me and bringing me back to the good side of life.

What are your chess plans for 2025?

I won’t be competing in the Candidates cycle, as the qualification process is quite tough. Instead, I will focus on the World Cup and the Grand Swiss for direct qualification. The game is shifting towards rapid and blitz formats, and adapting to that change is essential.

What are your thoughts on freestyle chess? Do you see a future where it replaces traditional formats?

It’s possible, but it doesn’t have to be a replacement — it’s like saying if you have paneer, you can’t have tofu. Both can exist independently. It’s a welcome addition but doesn’t need to take over.

It’s interesting to play, but as a spectator, I’m still getting used to it. The positions aren’t what you typically see in a chess game, so it can sometimes be hard to follow.

However, as a player, it’s a lot more fun. One of the challenges in modern chess is the sheer amount of preparation required, with computers making it harder to be creative in openings. Freestyle chess offers so many possibilities, forcing players to rely more on their thinking. There’s less preparation and more on-the-board play, much like in the old days.