Anish Giri, the current world No. 10, has been facing stiff competition from two back-to-back generations of champion chess players.
What's changed in chess?
The Dutchman attributes the drastic shift to the emergence of chess engines, which have greatly impacted the game.
Anish Giri stated that the game has changed significantly over the last decade, with the development of computers being a major factor.
The role of chess engines
He noted that what previously took 10 years is now taking only one year, making it difficult for him to recognize the game he plays now compared to 10 years ago.
The high volume of games played and the data extracted from those have contributed to the changes, with top players having access to a vast amount of information.
Preparing for the future
Anish Giri will strive for success in the Chennai Grand Masters, where he will face young players like world champ D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
The 31-year-old has had to adapt to the sweeping changes in the game to remain a force, and he is satisfied with his ability to show good results relatively quickly.
Staying competitive
Anish Giri played 700 games in one year during the Covid-19 pandemic, nearly two games every day, which has helped him stay competitive in the rapidly changing chess landscape.
He acknowledged that the chess culture in different countries and philosophies have had an effect on the game, but maintained that engines have been the top influencers.
The chess databases are now flooded with games, with hundreds of games every day featuring relevant openings, which has changed the game dramatically.
Anish Giri's ability to adapt to these changes will be crucial to his success in upcoming tournaments, including the Chennai Grand Masters.