As I wrote in my book, there has been a growing debate about the value of analog, classical training compared to working with ultra-efficient computers. Twenty-four-year-old GM Vaishali Rameshbabu and 20-year-old Javokhir Sindarov give us two new data points on how the chess world’s brightest young stars are approaching preparation.
When Arne Kaehler of Chessbase marveled that Vaishali had been preparing for the Women’s Candidates by studying for eight hours a day nearly every day, she explained her motivation simply: “The Candidates is the moment I have been dreaming of.” Despite this intense regimen, Vaishali and her team take a holistic approach, emphasizing consistency within a routine that also includes naps, yoga, exercise, and home-cooked meals from her mother.
In post-Candidates interviews, Sindarov and his team have also shed light on his journey to the top echelon. As highlighted in several of the linked articles, his approach is decidedly next-generation: he prefers digital learning to studying the classics and enjoys playing video games. Despite his online upbringing, Sindarov’s longtime coach, IM Roman Vidonyok, has taken a more analog approach in designing recent training camps. The nine (!) camps they conducted each lasted 15 days, with eight-hour training days and no use of engines at all.
While Sindarov’s opening knowledge has been highly praised, his coach estimated that 70% of the work is devoted to “chess training” rather than opening work. And while the 8 hour days are quite rigorous, Vidonyok told IM Sagar Shah that he encourages his students to live their lives outside of those regimented hours, encouraging video games, tv, socializing and exercise in the non-chess hours.
Regardless of their respective approaches, it is refreshing to see two level-headed, personable mega-talents ascend to the World Championship stage. I’m looking forward to their next matches.
Here are this week’s links…
FIDE Candidates Look Back
FM Andy Lee takes a big-picture look back at the Candidates, focusing on Sindarov’s strength, the opening choices,and the format. among other topics. “The problem (with the Candidates format) is that players with nothing left to play for can have an outsized impact on the final standings.” (Lit & Chess)
Leonard Barden on the Candidates! “Sindarov dominated the field with a controlled display reminiscent of the old Soviet master Mikhail Botvinnik” (The Guardian)
“It’s very rare that I read books. My coach insists on it, but I prefer that he teach me things at the board. For example, I’ve never looked up games of great champions of the past on my own- GM Sindarov in a must-read interview with Leonxto Garcia for El Pais
Reviews
FM Luis Siles heartily recommends Jen Shahade’s new book, Thinking Sideways. (Chess.com Blog)
Misc.
On this week’s Perpetual Chess, I caught up with GM Ben Finegold. Ben freely shared his opinions on the Netflix Hans/Magnus documentary, TakeTakeTake’s partnership with LiChess, and lots more. (Perpetual Chess YouTube) (Spotify)
There may be a paywall to navigate, but Wired magazine featured an excerpt from a forthcoming book about a cheating scandal that took place at the World Open in 1993. This was during the computer stone-ages, but a guy, going by the famous name of John von Neumann tried to use computer assistance by getting signals during a match. The author talked to the people behind the cheating conspiracy. IM Greg Shahade and I were there when it happened! (Kit Chellel for Wired Magazine)
Freedom Holdings is acquiring Chessbase. (Tarjei Svensen for Chess.com News)
The tradition of using chess imagery in a Coachella rock set continued from last year at this year’s annual festival.
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