In a significant shift for Indian chess, Grandmaster Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, a leading figure in the sport for the past decade, is consciously easing his competitive schedule. This decision comes after a period of intense burnout following his grueling campaign to qualify for the prestigious Candidates tournament. As a 41-player Indian contingent prepares for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Qatar, Vidit's absence will be notable.
A Conscious Step Back After Candidates Burnout
The 31-year-old from Nashik revealed that the relentless pursuit of his world championship dream, which culminated in his qualification for the eight-player Candidates tournament last year, led to an "intense burnout." Vidit dedicated nearly three years, from 2021 to 2024, to this goal, often working 14-16 hours a day on chess. The aftermath left him questioning his path.
"After the Candidates I felt a burnout. And then I felt lost: 'Okay, I've reached the Candidates, now what?'" Vidit admitted. He has since taken a deliberate decision to reduce his tournament play. His calendar for the upcoming year is largely bare, save for events like the Tata Steel Rapid and Blitz in Kolkata. He even contemplated withdrawing from confirmed events like the Grand Swiss, citing a lack of motivation to play.
While open to mentoring young talents in the future, Vidit's current passion lies in a fascinating intersection of technology and chess.
The Rise of 'Vibe Coding' for Elite Chess Tools
Over the last couple of months, Vidit has channeled his energy into creating specialized chess training websites for top-tier players. He has built at least three such platforms using a modern method known as 'vibe coding.' This approach leverages artificial intelligence, where the developer provides prompts and the AI generates the underlying code, enabling rapid creation of functional apps and websites.
"The already existing training tools are for the masses. Not for the elite level chess players. But these ones that I have made are for elite players, and they're free to use," Vidit explained. His creations have already garnered positive feedback from renowned Grandmasters like Anish Giri and Vasif Durarbayli.
Inside Vidit's Chess Websites
One of his public sites, memory.viditchess, tests a player's board memory by showing a position for ten seconds before asking them to recreate it on a blank board. Another, tactics.viditchess, uses real-game situations from tournaments like the FIDE World Cup, challenging users to find the best move. He has also developed at least one private site for his own use.
This tech venture is not entirely new for Vidit, who has always had an affinity for gadgets and software. Back in 2016, he attempted to create an opening preparation tool with Anish Giri, but the technology of the time made it a slow and bug-prone process requiring a software engineer. "But right now, I can do it myself. I feel like I can solve my own problems. Such an enabler the year 2025 has been," he remarked.
Reflections and Regrets of a Chess Veteran
As he navigates this transition, Vidit reflects on a career with notable highs and personal lessons. He expresses a lingering feeling of unfulfilled potential, believing that better control over his nerves and emotions could have added 30-40 points to his Elo rating. Yet, his journey to the Candidates stands as a testament to what focused effort can achieve.
"Somewhere in my heart, I feel like I still haven't reached my potential... But there's also the feeling that when I give my best, as I did for three years in the last cycle, I can reach the Candidates," he stated. For now, Vidit Gujrathi is redefining his relationship with the royal game, not from behind the pieces, but from behind the code, building the next generation of tools for the chess elite.
