Abhimanyu Mishra enjoying his maiden GCL stint
Chess Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra discusses his experience playing in the Global Chess League, noting the challenges of playing under strict time constraints. He also reflects on the difficulties of finding professional sponsorship for chess players in the United States.
Why it matters
The piece offers insight into the high-pressure environment of professional chess and the financial hurdles faced by elite athletes in the U.S.
The Global Chess League can be an almost hopeless race against the clock. The lack of increment — for the moves you make —ensures as much. That, of course, has added to the drama in the tournament.
It can be a harrowing experience, though, when you are at the receiving end of it. Abhimanyu Mishra has gone through that, but he has managed to put that behind him.
The world’s youngest-ever Grandmaster, playing for PBG Alaskan Knights against Leon Mendonca of Ganges Grandmasters, was poised for victory the other day, but under severe time pressure, he put his promoted queen, after a capture, on the wrong square. His opponent made a claim for an illegal move, which was upheld by the arbiter and now he had to replay the move: but in just one second.
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