A World title match between Gukesh and Pragg will be an interesting: Wesley So

Wesley So is no stranger to India. His last visit to the country was, in fact, just a month ago, for the Chess World Cup in Goa.

The World No. 11 from the United States, who has also been to Kolkata for the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, is now in Mumbai for the Global Chess League. And he is making his debut in the glamorous league, the third edition of which opens on Sunday. He is playing for Mumba Masters, and he is happy about it.

“Since the league is being held in Mumbai, we are very much the home team,” So told The Hindu over the phone on Friday. “Ours is a great team.”

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Koneru Humpy, D. Harika and Bardiya Daneshvar are his teammates. “I have known Maxime and Shakh for a long time,” he said.

“I played against Harika 17 years ago at Wijk aan Zee, and it was an interesting game. And Humpy is such a strong player and very very experienced. It is going to be an exciting tournament with all the teams having lots of excellent players. And I really like the concept of the Global Chess League with all its innovations. Besides, I always enjoy playing in team events.”

So is hoping for a much better show as a player after the disappointment of the World Cup, in which he was knocked out in the second round. “I don’t want to make excuses for my performance, but I was a bit tired after playing the strong US National championship (in which I finished second),” he said. “Yes, it is disappointing that I could not qualify for the Candidates (from the World Cup).”

He believes fellow-American Fabiano Caruana will be the favourite at the Candidates, to be held in Cyprus in March-April next year. The tournament will determine D. Gukesh’s challenger for the World title.

“Fabi has so much experience at the Candidates and has also played the World championship match,” said So. “I think it will be great if he becomes the challenger, but I think Praggnanandhaa also has a strong chance, and he has had a great year, winning so many major tournaments. In fact, a match between Gukesh and Pragg will be very interesting – two young Indians taking on each other, and they have different styles, too.”