Reunirse con el primer ministro Modi es más importante para el campeón mundial Vidit Gujrati que defender su título en Bakú

Vidit Gujrati se retiró del Torneo de Ajedrez en Memoria de Gashimov en Azerbaiyán debido a una reunión programada con el Primer Ministro indio Modi.

The defending champion and the new Olympiad Gold Medallist, Vidit Gujrathi, won’t be able to take part in the 10th Vugar Gashimov Memorial Chess tournament in Azerbaijan, scheduled from September 25 to 30. The reason behind that is the 29-year-old has to meet the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, as reported by ChessBase India.

Vidit, the defending champion who outperformed fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi last year with 22 points compared to Arjun’s 21.5 points, had to withdraw after arriving in Baku. Now, he returned to India.

Aravindh @pawnof64squares Chithambaram is the last minute replacement of Vidit Gujrathi at 10th Vugar Gashimov Memorial – Chess Super Tournament

The reigning champion and the new Olympiad Gold medalist, Vidit was scheduled to defend his crown. He arrived in Baku but then had to… pic.twitter.com/L5lem28uwq

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) September 25, 2024

Solo Indian competitor

Aravindh Chithambaram will now be the sole Indian participant in this year’s Gashimov tournament, which features ten players competing in rapid and blitz formats.

Reunirse con el primer ministro Modi es más importante para el campeón mundial Vidit Gujrati que defender su título en Bakú

Honouring a Chess legend

The tournament is held in memory of Vugar Gashimov, a renowned Azerbaijani chess player, European champion, and international grandmaster. It is organised by the Vugar Gashimov Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.