In the tumultuous world of elite chess, where youthful brilliance often overshadows seasoned experience, one name consistently surfaces with a blend of admiration and a touch of wistfulness: Anish Giri. For over a decade, the Dutch Grandmaster has been a fixture at the sport`s pinnacle, a consistent top performer, yet paradoxically, a player perpetually on the cusp of the ultimate crown. He is the quintessential “nearly-man” – a title he now defiantly seeks to shed.
The Unwavering Drive of a Chess Stalwart
While many of his contemporaries, including the legendary Magnus Carlsen, have begun to recalibrate their relationship with classical chess, citing dwindling motivation after conquering every conceivable peak, Giri`s fire burns undimmed. His perspective, shared on the sidelines of the Chennai Grand Masters 2025, reveals a pragmatic ambition:
“Of course, Carlsen has won everything, I don`t have that problem, so motivation is still very much there.”
This self-aware, subtly ironic declaration encapsulates his current stance: the pursuit of a World Championship title isn`t merely a goal; it`s a driving force, a mission unfinished.
One might assume that facing a wave of prodigious talents like Gukesh Dommaraju, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Alireza Firouzja, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Vincent Keymer would be daunting. These young masters have dramatically lowered the average age at the elite level, bringing a fresh, often aggressive, and fearlessly computer-influenced style to the board. Yet, Giri sees this challenge not as a decline in his own chances, but as a continuation of his career-long battle against formidable opponents, merely with different faces.
Experience as the Ultimate Weapon
In a game revolutionized by artificial intelligence, where theoretical preparation runs deeper than ever, Giri`s extensive experience emerges as his most potent asset. He views his accumulated knowledge not as outdated wisdom, but as a finely honed instrument for detecting the subtle imperfections in even the most complex modern play. He notes, with a touch of humor:
“When I tell these young guys what it was like ten years ago, they look at me like I`m some kind of grandpa.”
But this “grandpa” can often spot the chinks in the armor that younger, perhaps overly confident, players miss. His analysis of positions, particularly with younger opponents, reveals a deep understanding that transcends raw calculation. He elaborates, “When I play a lot of players, what I immediately see is mistakes. Sometimes they`re committing them after a long thought.” This intuition, sharpened over thousands of elite games, allows him to navigate perilous waters where others might falter.
The Fortress Builder: Defensive Prowess Personified
Beyond his encyclopedic understanding, Giri possesses another formidable weapon: his unparalleled defensive prowess. In a sport where even a single misstep can be fatal, his ability to construct impregnable fortresses and rescue seemingly lost positions is legendary. His 2025 classical record speaks volumes: out of 34 games, he suffered only one loss, drawing 24 others. This extraordinary resilience ensures he`s always a contender, even when not at his absolute peak.
As he candidly admits, “Because I am such a good defender, I can draw even when I`m playing badly.” This tactical pragmatism, the knack for finding defensive resources under immense pressure, was vividly evident at the Chennai Grand Masters. There, amidst a string of seven draws in as many rounds, Giri confessed to escaping two precarious situations against Vidit Gujrathi and Nihal Sarin – games he “should`ve lost” but didn`t.
A Glimmer of Hope: The Path Ahead
Giri`s recent triumph at the 2025 Sharjah Masters, where he decisively defeated the formidable Nodirbek Abdusattorov, serves as a powerful affirmation of his enduring strength and strategic acumen. It`s a clear signal that his ambition for the World Championship is far from a pipe dream.
Despite the lure of a comfortable retirement –
“I would go on the beach and relax. I have some money I can spend on the beach and everything… As much as I would love to retire, when I see myself playing or training games, I just cannot do it right now.”
– Giri cannot, in good conscience, step away. His inner conviction, fueled by strong training performances and recent victories, compels him to fight on. He believes he has “everything it takes” for the highest goals, provided he catches “some wind in the back” and a sprinkle of that elusive “luck.”
As the qualification process for the 2026 Candidates tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Anish Giri. His journey is a testament to perseverance, a narrative woven with defensive brilliance and strategic depth, in an era increasingly defined by rapid-fire aggression. Can this veteran Grandmaster, armed with experience and an uncanny ability to withstand onslaughts, finally claim the crown that has so long eluded him, potentially dethroning the likes of Gukesh? The chess world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the saga of its most persistent contender.
Dominic Ashworth