Daniil Dubov won the 2018 World Rapid Chess Championship against a field that included Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. The Russian prodigy, who became a Grandmaster at the age of 14, has also worked as Carlsen’s second for two World Championship matches. Excerpts from interviews given by Dubov the Hindus in Kolkata, during the Tata Steel Indian Chess tournament:
You are second to Magnus Carlsen for two World Championship matches, in 2018 and 2021. How do you see the upcoming title match between Ding Liren and D. Gukesh?
It will be a strange experience for me, as I have been a part of the last three World title matches in different capacities. In 2018 and 2021, I work as the second Magnus. And at the last World Championship, I commented for the official announcer. But this time, I will be following the match from my seat. I want Gukesh and Ding to fight. I don’t want the match to end with three games, or anything else. Yes, I think Gukesh is the favourite, but not as much as others believe.
Do you think Gukesh started as favourite? Is it because of the form and the formless Ding?
Gukesh has become a better player in the last two years. Why wouldn’t they wait for the next two weeks? You have to say that the matches (series of games) are generally different, and I think, sometimes, even when you are better, there are certain opponents who are probably not as good as you, but it is really difficult to crack.
What do you like about chess Gukesh?
I like that he is the best, he just plays the best moves – like a chess machine. He plays in a way that is hard to explain. Too often they play moves that no one else has in common. It seems that there is no basic idea, but all the moves are the best. I mean the feeling you usually get from the engine. Like, one moves on that side, then the other moves on that side. I mean like five random moves, then suddenly the machine wins. Same with Gukesh.
When Magnus is in play, the move seems more human to me. That is, I can see the idea behind the movement. With Magnus, you always get logic. Sometimes you guess all the moves, but you still lose. He made it look simple. Gukesh is exactly the opposite.
We will pass some tipping point in the history of chess, I feel. If Gukesh becomes the World champion, my mind knows that he deserves it – he is almost 2800 (in the Elo rating) and beats everyone – and still my soul refuses to accept that this little boy is 18. Chess is getting younger.
Garry Kasparov was 22 when he won the World Championship.
Before that, Mikhail Tal was 23. Gukesh perfectly embodied everything he experienced in chess.
How do you look back at the time with Carlsen as the second, for the match with Fabiano Caruana and then Ian Nepomniachtchi?
Magnus has a team of four to five people, and we need to prepare some opening ideas. I am one of the people responsible for making the opening better. I apparently did my job well, because I was invited twice. I’m helping with openings that have been part of my repertoire for years, like Catalan. For the match against Caruana, Sveshnikov and Rossolimo (a variation on the Sicilian Defense) also came from me. It kind of makes sense. Magnus wants to learn from people who have been doing it all their lives.
How important is the role of seconds in a World title match?
I think the seconds are more important than before. Now we all have the same machine, and there’s no room for, say, brain competition, you know. When I worked for Magnus, especially the first term, it used to be completely different. You can analyze a certain position for two weeks, but you are not sure whether it is good or bad for you.
Second evaluation: Dubov says that while Magnus Carlsen’s play is understandable – ‘I can see the idea behind the movement’ – it is still very difficult to resist. | Photo credit: Getty Images
Some Russian players criticize you for helping Carlsen against Nepomniachtchi, the Russian. And you answered that working with Carlsen would help you as a player because Russian chess could benefit you.
Yes and only a few players (the critical ones), really. Others supported me. I am happy to accept the offer from Magnus. There is no downside. Basically you get paid to work for the best team on Planet Earth with the best players in history. I would be happy to do it for free.
And what did you learn from working with Carlsen?
I’ve learned a lot, but it’s hard to pin down, like I learned these five things. Most of the way he looks at chess, the way he prepares or chooses an opening… For others, it must be a little mysterious why he plays this opening against a certain opponent, and then plays another. one to another man. But I started to take the common in chess, and preparation… It’s not that I agree at all.
How did you manage to play in the Tata Steel Chess India tournament in Kolkata, at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, in front of a huge crowd?
It’s always fun to see so many people in the audience. Sometimes it can cause some lack of comfort for players, but look at the bigger picture, I like it. It inspires me way more than prevents me from making a certain move.
It’s not the first time in India, but it’s the first time playing in India. It’s impressive. There is an old saying about the Soviet Union that every random person plays better than you when you come to the USSR. You can talk about India today. It felt like everyone was playing chess well. Yes, India is like the former USSR, chess, that is.
Are you surprised at the speed at which Indian chess has progressed?
Not at all. I remember saying out loud in Russia five or six years ago that India will overtake us, and their juniors will be better because I know how they work and what conditions they are given. I say in Russia we have to provide equal conditions for the best juniors or they will be defeated. So no surprises for me here. There is, of course, Vishy, first of all. His role has been huge.
Are you happy with the progress of your career, especially after winning the World Rapid Championship in 2018?
Not. It could be better. But when I was at my best, COVID happened. Then there was the war. I can’t play in an event like the Olympics, but that’s okay, I’m not worried. If people stop dying, I’ll be happy.
Published – November 23, 2024 12:28 IST
