Changing of the Guard
Ever since Garry Kasparov retired (and even prior to), there has been a slow changing of the guard in chess. The powerful Soviet School of Chess still reigned after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, the advent of computers, the migration of Russian players and simply the passage of time has ushered in a new era of players upsetting the balance of power in chess.
Looking at the recent troubles in team competitions from Russia and the current disappointment of Russian players in the current World Chess Championship, it is safe to say that Russian dominance of chess is over. The rise of China and India along with the rise of young chess talent from around the world, Russian can no longer command the type of awe as in previous years.
at the 2002 Chess Olympiad as the Russian squad looks on.
While Russia will remain a chess power and will continue to produce a cadre of strong players, its support for chess has weakened tremendously. Even Kasparov recently stated serious concern about the future of Russian chess and the lack of consistent support.
The world has finally caught up.
Has the world caught up or is more like the Russians are abdicating the crown ❓
Perhaps they have abdicated their crown, but I have heard both Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik complain about the lack of plan for producing Russian talent. Here is what Kramnik said,
Of course, they have players like Motylev, Jakovenko, Inarkiev and Nepomniachtchi, but they were soundly defeated by the Chinese recently. I think even when Kasparov was on the scene, the days were numbered. I believe the main factor here is momentum. Russians are not developing talent as fast as they once were… other countries are filling the void.
Anand is God!!!
8)