Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh’s Fortuitous Encounter at Budapest Airport

In an unexpected but delightful occurrence, renowned chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand encountered upcoming chess talent D Gukesh at Budapest Airport. Anand shared this moment with a hint of humor on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, sparking enthusiasm among chess enthusiasts worldwide.

Gukesh, aged 18, has been drawing attention in the chess community with his exceptional skills. He recently clinched his second consecutive individual gold medal at the Chess Olympiad, held on Sunday, September 22. His achievements have positioned him as a rising star in Indian chess, and his admiration for Anand, a legend in the field, has been well-documented.

The chance meeting at the airport was significant for both players, particularly following Gukesh’s triumphant performance. Anand, who has been a supportive mentor figure in Gukesh’s chess journey, expressed his praise for the young player’s outstanding capabilities during the tournament. “Just running into a random chess player!” Anand humorously commented in his post.

In an interview with India Today, Anand previously discussed his esteem for Gukesh’s abilities. He implied that Gukesh could surpass his contemporaries, including the distinguished Ding Liren, noting that Gukesh’s performance was markedly higher than his peers’. “See for Gukesh. This is a sensational result,” Anand remarked. He further elaborated that despite Ding Liren’s struggles during the Olympiad, Gukesh must maintain his strategic approach, treating every opponent with equal seriousness.