Chess Olympiad 2024: Vidit Gujrathi in meditation mode, skips handshake with Levon Aronian before match. (@chess.com)
Photo : Twitter
Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi showed his exceptional concentration and mental fortitude at the Chess Olympiad 2024. Despite facing a formidable opponent in Levon Aronian, Gujrathi played a solid game with the black pieces, eventually securing a draw.
However, it was his pre-game meditation that captured everyone’s attention. As Aronian extended his hand for the customary handshake before the match, Gujrathi, deeply immersed in a meditative state, did not respond at all, maintaining his mental preparation and focus.
Gujrathi has incorporated a meditative routine into his pre-game ritual, emphasizing the importance of mental preparedness in high-pressure situations. His meditation helped him stay focused during the game, enabling him to successfully fend off Aronian, a top player in the world..
He had credited his exceptional mental clarity to his daily practice of meditation, which he has been doing for over 900 days.
“It is disciplining your mind, and your mind doesn’t want to be disciplined; it wants to wander everywhere. The mind doesn’t want to be idle, and it is very hard to control and focus,” he had told the outlook before adding, “I would say 10 to 15 minutes a day. It’s not much, but I have not missed a day in 900 days and it has really helped me in handling my emotions. Like right now, for example, when I’m giving this interview, I’m upset about a result, but I’m composed.”
Chess Olympiad: Vidit Gujrathi’s Unwavering Mind
During the Olympiad, Gujrathi remained calm and focused despite the intense and distracting environment, showing his sharp mind. His regular meditation practice helped him stay composed, giving him an advantage over his competitors.