In this interview with Arne Kaehler, Indian chess Grandmaster Sasikiran Krishnan takes us on a journey through his chess career, offering a blend of personal anecdotes and professional highlights.
He recounts how his passion for chess began when his father taught him the game as a way to keep him engaged after school.
One particularly heart-warming moment is when Sasikiran convinced his father to quit smoking after making a bet that he would stop if Sasikiran won the Under-16 National Championship — a bet he honoured after Sasikiran's unexpected victory!
Sasikiran also shares his experiences working closely with Viswanathan Anand, including their rigorous preparation for the 2013 World Chess Championship, where he and other seconds often worked up to 17 hours a day.
Another compelling aspect of the conversation is Sasikiran's physical transformation, where he lost 35 kg after his father encouraged him to hit the gym, but pushed his weight loss too far, leading to hospitalization.
Despite setbacks, including contracting COVID-19 in 2022, which affected his chess performance, Sasikiran remains determined and passionate about the game, reflecting on his evolving career and the mental and physical challenges he continues to overcome.
