Bengaluru: World champion D Gukesh recently experienced an unusual week, marked by a rare winless performance at a tournament earlier this month. The Fischer Random format, also known as Freestyle Chess, presented itself in a new and glamorous form, which the young Indian player had not specifically prepared for, resulting in an eighth-place finish among ten competitors in Weissenhaus, Germany. He is set to participate in the Paris segment of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in April.

The challenge facing Gukesh and his team revolves around determining the appropriate amount of time the 18-year-old should allocate to the Fischer Random format and whether this focus might negatively impact his classical chess skills.

Fischer Random, which randomizes the starting positions of back rank pieces to reduce reliance on opening theory, has gained renewed interest, particularly with world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen embracing it, and German entrepreneur Jan Buettner supporting the initiative with a comprehensive, multi-continent tour.

“It’s a completely different game,” remarked Gukesh’s coach Grzegorz Gajewski in an interview, “Many principles that apply in traditional chess do not hold in Fischer Random, which can lead to confusion. The initial move that comes to mind is often a mistake in this format, and it will take time for us to adapt.”

The critical question remains whether to adjust and alter their perspective on chess, as adapting to this format could potentially hinder performance in the classical version of the game. Thus, the team faces a significant dilemma regarding the time commitment to Freestyle Chess, especially considering Gukesh's youth and the numerous aspects of traditional chess he still needs to master. While Freestyle Chess is undoubtedly exciting and innovative, there is no assurance that another Grand Slam Tour will occur in two years, leaving uncertainty about its future trajectory.

Moreover, preparing for Fischer Random is not a simple task. Traditional chess has developed over many years, supported by extensive literature and a wealth of historical games.

Gajewski expressed skepticism regarding the possibility of preparing for Freestyle chess in a theoretical manner. He noted that while it is feasible to learn specific lines, the actual gameplay often involves classical moves, which can lead to misconceptions. "There have been instances where White secures a nearly decisive advantage within just a few moves, a scenario that is not typical," he remarked. "It is possible to achieve a favorable position after the opening based on evaluation, yet one may remain unaware of it. Due to the unpredictable nature of setups, a position that appears satisfactory may actually be losing, particularly if a knight is trapped on a1 and rendered inactive. Such nuances do not come intuitively, as our classical chess experience suggests otherwise."

According to Gajewski, the only effective way to prepare for Fischer Random chess is to engage with the game and strive to comprehend the emerging patterns. "However, we must consider whether we truly wish to learn these patterns. While we are eager to grasp these new concepts, we also desire assurance that this will not compromise our inherent understanding of the game."

Since Gukesh became world champion at the end of last year, one of his team's primary objectives has been to establish his dominance in tournaments. Despite facing limited preparation time amid celebrations, Gukesh delivered a commendable performance in his inaugural tournament as world champion—the Tata Steel Masters in January—where he ultimately lost in the final tie-breaks to fellow Indian player Praggnanandhaa.

Gajewski emphasized the team's cautious yet ambitious approach, stating, "We aim to excel in future Freestyle events, but we are unwilling to take risks that could jeopardize Gukesh's classical playing style, which remains our top priority. He is a world champion in classical chess, and that is where our focus lies."

Gukesh is set to defend his world title next year, although his opponent has yet to be determined.

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