An Unfiltered Conversation with GM Vidit Gujrathi

In our latest podcast featuring GM Vidit Gujrathi, we delve into his triumphant victory at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2024, securing his spot in the Candidates 2023 alongside Pragg. We explore Vidit's emotions, tournament preparation, and his remarkable comeback after facing challenges in the past few years. Join us as we discuss how he navigated social media trolls, engaged with loyal fans, and even touch upon his relationship status. Don't miss out-tune in to this insightful podcast!
Timestamps of the full podcast:
0:00 - Podcast Trailer
1:03 - Hello, welcome and Introduction
1:39 - Life in the 2 days after winning Grand Swiss
2:01 - Samay didn't call Vidit!
2:25 - What does this win mean to you?
3:16 - Winning one of the strongest Open tournaments in the World
4:10 - Did you think you could win this before going to the event?
5:19 - Erwin's shocking Birthday gift
5:52 - Round 1 loss turned off the pressure?
6:46 - Thoughts on the time control of Grand Swiss
7:16 - When did you find your best form?
8:00 - The insane +6 score which won Vidit the tournament
8:59 - Converting better positions in the crucial Round 10 and 11 games
10:19 - Handling stress and anxiety in a better way
11:42 - Feelings on finally reaching the Candidates
12:14 - Dealing with negative comments
14:00 - Pressure from the growing youngsters
16:08 - Anand being a huge inspiration for Vidit
18:14 - The creation of Vidit 2.0
19:32 - Earning Garry's praise in the Sicilian games
20:16 - Was the shift in style psychological or chess-oriented?
21:14 - Focusing on the process, not on results
22:34 - Support from Vidit's parents and sister
23:52 - Spending more time with the family
24:49 - Vidit's seconds revealed
26:42 - Vidit's Guru - Om Swami Ji
28:25 - Om Swami's book on chess
29:27 - Plan of action for the Candidates
30:26 - Road to becoming World Champion
30:55 - Magnus can come back to the cycle?
31:26 - Ding and Vidit have the same birthday!
31:56 - The support from Vidit's sponsors
33:44 - Vidit's GF Reveal?
35:03 - A Thank you note to all the fans
35:48 - Chances of other Indians qualifying to the Candidates
36:40 - ending with a nice viewer comment
36:56 - Thank you Sagar, book a ticket to Canada!
Video: ChessBase India
Edited by: Abhyudaya Ram
#Chess #ChessBaseIndia #viditgujrathi #podcast #fidegrandswiss #candidates #praggnanandhaa #magnuscarlsen #hikarunakamura
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[@himankghosh2333]

Timestamps of the full podcast: 0:00 - Podcast Trailer 1:03 - Hello, welcome and Introduction 1:39 - Life in the 2 days after winning Grand Swiss 2:01 - Samay didn't call Vidit! 2:25 - What does this win mean to you? 3:16 - Winning one of the strongest Open tournaments in the World 4:10 - Did you think you could win this before going to the event? 5:19 - Erwin's shocking Birthday gift 5:52 - Round 1 loss turned off the pressure? 6:46 - Thoughts on the time control of Grand Swiss 7:16 - When did you find your best form? 8:00 - The insane +6 score which won Vidit the tournament 8:59 - Converting better positions in the crucial Round 10 and 11 games 10:19 - Handling stress and anxiety in a better way 11:42 - Feelings on finally reaching the Candidates 12:14 - Dealing with negative comments 14:00 - Pressure from the growing youngsters 16:08 - Anand being a huge inspiration for Vidit 18:14 - The creation of Vidit 2.0 19:32 - Earning Garry's praise in the Sicilian games 20:16 - Was the shift in style psychological or chess-oriented? 21:14 - Focusing on the process, not on results 22:34 - Support from Vidit's parents and sister 23:52 - Spending more time with the family 24:49 - Vidit's seconds revealed 26:42 - Vidit's Guru - Om Swami Ji 28:25 - Om Swami's book on chess 29:27 - Plan of action for the Candidates 30:26 - Road to becoming World Champion 30:55 - Magnus can come back to the cycle? 31:26 - Ding and Vidit have the same birthday! 31:56 - The support from Vidit's sponsors 33:44 - Vidit's GF Reveal? 35:03 - A Thank you note to all the fans 35:48 - Chances of other Indians qualifying to the Candidates 36:40 - ending with a nice viewer comment 36:56 - Thank you Sagar, book a ticket to Canada!

[@noothangowdaml5167]

Vidit Bhai is an emotion for Indian chess! Love from Karnataka ❤

[@scandy7518]

ಯಾವ ಊರು ಬ್ರೋ

[@noothangowdaml5167]

@@scandy7518 Mysuru!!!!!

[@noothangowdaml5167]

@@scandy7518 nivu????

[@Viva-la-de-hs4ub]

​@@scandy7518I'm from city bro , not villager lik u

[@nishitaluhana]

Vidit meeting Samay before his parents is next level friendship goals 😂❤️

[@hauslarkhobhaiya9781]

You means couple goal

[@falcongaming-9195]

Very sus

[@falcongaming-9195]

[@07smeet]

All the time that I have been watching him, I've always wanted him to shine like a star.. Coz he deserves it.. So happy for VD. It feels like as if a close friend has won.. Its the same feeling ❤ All the best for the Candidates and all the upcoming tourneys

[@AryanSharma-my5lg]

Literally the same feeling !❤

[@07smeet]

@@AryanSharma-my5lg Yes bro

[@anonymousyt3547]

Yup there is something different about vidit than other youngsters even though I am of the same age to the latter

[@shivanshbisht9439]

Yep man

[@_s1mple_]

​@@anonymousyt3547same here

[@nayeem.j.i]

in all honesty, it just feels like a personal success! wish him all the best for the candidates!

[@sagarvelanjkar6443]

A big fan of Vidit for a few years now! I named my son after him❤️

[@nileshsinha2295]

This is not the end.. it's just the beginning.

[@kumarvaidyanathan7392]

Congrats Vidit!!!! ...Pls don't give heed to any negative comments...stay focussed...there are more people rooting for you than the other way around....pls prepare well and give it your best in the candidates....all the best!!!!

[@baka1984]

Such a real dude with genuine passion. Happy for his success.

[@siddharthpandey3783]

Such a beautiful interview Sagar Bhai..and Vidit is that person most of us can relate (the fighting people: in professional and personal life) We all want that one win in our Life that show that we are on the right path and capable of what we are doing in our lives!! So happy for you Vidit Bhai!! Just do what you do!! We are with you because we feel you!! Love you!! ♥️

[@ayonbanerjee1566]

So happy for him. Amidst all negativities I have always rooted for him and now it really feels good ❤❤❤

[@AnSfee]

Two buddies having a lighthearted conversation 😊

[@cdrbb]

the whiteboard is gold 😂

[@astitvadeval]

No no it is wood only

[@ghostleap6991]

​@@astitvadevalno, it's wood coated gold

[@Ruvanthika.]

It's made up of steal also

[@Graceizhere]

​@@astitvadevalDumbo it's aluminium

[@lost.armaan]

idk why i read whiteboard as whitebeard 😭ONE PIECE IS REAL

[@nis99]

Congratulations Vd, feels good to see you smile & finally truly happy after ages. Feels like I have won something after long time. Congratulations on how far you have made it. Let the future be a surprise!

[@Rakh91]

Thank you so much Sagar Bhai this interview( purely heartfelt conversation). I was waiting for this podcast eagerly. We all are proud of you Champ. Onwards and upwards. Lots of ❤️ and good wishes.🧿🫶VIDIT OP. #proudviditian

[@dipanjansitar]

A beautiful interview! All the very best to Vidit for the Candidates!

[@vyom2004]

Just One Thing Happy for My brother...VD bhai jitna hi tha tujhe...u deserve it...Full support to you from beginning...

[@pratichi26]

Wonderful chat. I really enjoy these conversations with players CBI does, and this time it was with Vidit, so of course extra special. Long post coming up about some of my favourite things about the video, bear with me - 1. The way Vidit is being so candid about his anxieties. Listening to the post win, he has been speaking of how he was very conscious that a tournament win hadn't happened for a long time. The concerns and confusions he's speaing of are things all of us go through, particularly in this age. To hear his speak of it, and to see him win big despite it, is reassuring. 2. The fact that he is able to savour the victory but is very aware this isn't the final thing. Every time he speaks of his process he tells us, that only in replication will we know if that's what worked. That's a lot of objectivity to have so close to victory. 3. The way he speaks of his seconds. Surya is someone we have seen on streams, and he seems to have some wonderful clarity, not only about chess but about people. Of course, has been such an important part of Vishy sir's victories. This team with him and Vocaturo is looking good for Vidit, not only chess-wise but also psychologically. 4. The way Anand's frinedship and tiny appreciations mean so much to him. We have seen Vishy sir share a great rapport with the youngsters, but Vidit was always in the position where he was a contemporary but not really. But in the past few months, paricularly since playing World Rapid Teams on the same Team they seem to have bonded more and you can see how happy it makes Vidit. 5. The way he has been aware of what this means to his friends, family and us fans. Have been looking at some of the comments on this post, this has felt personal to so many of us. But Vidit, please know that we have always had a reason to cheer for you. This one just gives us some extra energy. 6. Finally, of course, that it is shot in Samay's house. Vidit's championship cup looks very nice on Samay's bookshelf. I know there are jokes about jinxing, but I honestly feel he the happiness these two bring each other reflects in the work they do. Reminds me of when Vidit won "october Blitz" and went - "I am too excited, I need to speak to Samay".

[@Uday_274]

+1 👏👏

[@thisisog_mohit]

Finally the video is out, kuch zyada he intezaar karwa diya Sagar bhai ne

[@arumugamsamyvel7328]

Sagar your interviews are always seamless, you are one of the torch bearers of Indian chess and congratulations to vidit for the phenomenal performance at the grand swiss and hope you become the next world champion 👏👏👏

[@prath7089]

Best wishes for the future! Always rooting for you since 2020. Hope you win the candidates!

[@kathiramu1182]

Nice interview vidith need this win but real path starts from here. All eyes on him. God bless him.

[@sumeetbhattacharjee]

Good luck from the bottom of my heart Vidit. You can do it once again Vidit in the candidates. Please remember to go with all in and never show your cards before Candidates in any of the previous tournaments you will play.

[@nihirakoul3218]

Congratulations Vidit Bhai !!! This is just the beginning......Way to Go!!!🎉🎉 Candidates jitke aana hai...

[@jahnavikollipara3069]

Was waiting for this since soo long 😢 but it was too short

[@Nuclear0007]

Ek or baar hoga esa life me

[@CalmusStoicusHQ]

Good to see Vidit winning, true friends rejoice friends victory as their own and here we could see it, keep winning, proud of you

[@Randomthings1210]

What a heartfelt chat!! ❤ One can only open their heart to only a friend! Thank you Sagar and Vidit😊

[@himanshumani8262]

Proud moment for us. Many things to learn from the interview. Congratulations for winning and all the best for candidates.As you said may be it's just the beginning and we'll get to see more moments like this Keep inspiring us.

[@devinanand2114]

Very very proud of Vidit, hope the self doubt keeps going away and he keeps proving the haters wrong!

[@adityag9199]

This set is so good wow.. the whiteboard, mind master, the trophy, the PRS guitar 🤩🤩

[@mohdalikhan328]

Congratulation brother... Love from ladakh.. Love you sagar bhai... I started playing chess because of you and samay...

[@checkmatetamizhan6201]

Whether Vidit wins or not he always an inspiration for me.❤ All the best for his Candidates preparation

[@brainwizard8915]

in asian games I myself said that we vidit fans never get to see him win. Finally we got to see him win. Hope to see this continue in candidates too.

[@smrtguy77777]

I’ll admit, I didn’t think Vidit would get this far, I knew he had the talent but I didn’t think he’d get past his mental gremlins. Glad I was wrong! I’ll be rooting for him in the Candidates! Pragg can wait his turn!

[@Devansh_A]

Vidit you are solid even if you didn't win any tournament I am a fan of your gaming style.

[@neetikaaggarwal2265]

We will always always support you! Once a VD fan! Always a VD fan! Congratulations again! And thankyou Sagar bhai for such a wonderful interview 💙💙💙💙

[@sebastiangonzalezgonzalez2183]

Vidit my man!!! With much respect and love from Paraguay ❤

[@ApoorvTailang]

VD I did support you everytime. I believed with you and fought with people to defend you.

[@sanyajain1393]

The circle is complete... Always been a fan of u vd ❤... All the bestt❤❤

[@jaykaroshi1761]

Eagerly waiting for this interview

[@EliL-se3bh]

Very nice! Nice interview between 2 great individuals!

[@shamsshaikh2887]

This is next level interview that is rare in chess world. Thank you

[@premshankar57]

Great work Sagar bhai. This is a very quality podcast. Very clean direct conversation. Congratulations to Vidit🎉. And Kudos to your podcasting skill. We would really love to see it more often.❤

[@planahath]

What a great conversation. Good luck Vidit in the candidates next year!

[@mkchessbg]

What a start🔥

[@vin7884]

Very happy for you Vidit ! Stay strong and believe in yourself, you are no less than any top player 😁. Well deserved victory and congratulations

[@sanketh6]

After watching so many live streams during Pandemic... Any success for Vidit, Samay, Sagar or Anish feels personal ❤.

[@anindyaganguly5243]

VD win it. Just win it. Just carry this form you possess now. Live in this moment. Carry on this mental state that you own now. And keep this team you have now. Family and friends. You will win boss. You are in form man. Stay blessed and safe. Cheers ❤️

[@shreyaskrishna6038]

Karmanye vadhika raste, Ma phaleshu kadachana Ma karma phala he tur bhuh, ma te sangotsva karmanye You have the right to work only but never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction. Hope you win the candidates 🙏

[@saurabhgodse8482]

I've became big fan of Vidit since I started watching CB India in the lockdown. Many congratulations for the victory. Sagar bhai requesting you to analyse some games of Vidit. If possible one more grandmaster chess episode 🤞

[@JaiSriRam801]

Hare Rama, What a Proud moment this is! Huge Congratulations to Vidit Santosh Gujrathi🥇⭐️You made Billion people proud🧡May Bhagwan keep showering his blessings upon you🙏😊🧡

[@nitenuc2341]

bas kar bhai, har jagah par "you made billion people proud🧡" kuch alag bol na yaar. bas copy paste karta hai har baar.

[@i_never_asked_for_an_alias]

Wish him all the best. Such a carismatic lad.

[@ayushkp.official]

Only an Engineer can think like this. 👽 1. Eat palak paneer 2. Nashik's GDP 3. Block Samay 4. Thanks Anish 5. GF reveal 6. d/dx ding 7. Elo elo kya hai 8. E=mc³ 9. Unsubscribe CBI Clips 10. BSNL op 😂😂 Epic idea guys 👌💥

[@nikipediaaspirant2231]

nice😂😊

[@ayushkp.official]

@@nikipediaaspirant2231 🙂

[@sourabhyadav657]

biswa and samay things😂

[@shivasundar]

So... it is Vishy again, interesting! He "chuckled", and then probably gave access to Surya 😍- his veteran second of many WC matches!! Vishy, the Parashurama of Indian chess 🤩[In my book, the Dronacharya: RB Ramesh!] I donno what the Indian Govt is waiting for, for a Bharat Ratna...

[@ram9ajju]

What an honest, humble guy. Deserves his chance in the candidates.

[@rahulpanda5699]

Good luck for candidates VIDIT vai ❤❤

[@gunamaninath9779]

Since the first time I saw VD on stream was waiting for him to win for us.. If VD wins it’s a different feeling ❤

[@krishnapandit8190]

W for the intro animation Sagar Bhai. ✌

[@dr.deepakgore1079]

Again one more best from Sagar Bhai, a really best candid interview of candidates selected player Vidit. You asked many questions to him ,one I liked was about Last Gambit. You carry depth and insight about a person. Vidit is versatile guy but throughout his interview i felt he should work on positive psychology alongwith chess training with trainers Also he should work on fitness physical too If Vidit changes his mindset like Garry,Magnus or Vishy , I am sure he shall be challenger. As this guy coming from Nasik ,there has to be some emotional traits 😂 but he can. He must focus rather than wasting time on social media I earnestly feel about him as I am a medical specialist and feel the same same like his parents,My best wishes to him And Sagar you r unique gem , friendly personality for all ❤

[@user-um6vo5gc3h]

vidit bhaiyaa op , hopefully he wins candidates , lots of love VD bhai

[@eeshanbhandarkar4382]

Vidit Bhai, ALL THE VERY BEST for candidates & Next time also Keep a challenge on Wildr 🤞

[@siddharthranadive8186]

Can't wait to watch this one!

[@akshaysharma2016]

okay, dont wait then

[@LoffysDomain]

Thanks, Sagar. And GM Vidit.

[@amolmishra7891]

what an extraordinary interview!

[@priyankarana-kz5iz]

What an honest champion vidit.....Sagar is a great host

[@PratyayDey]

Vidit looks so good in that blue hoodie

[@Devansh_Raghuvanshi]

Lesson i learnt is -- Focus on career managing other distraction are tough ❤

[@omkarkulkarni9197]

vidit is my fav player !!!

[@nikenshah22]

Best way to respond to the Haters! More power to VD...

[@songoku-jx3cb]

I think sagar said it the best vidit fails when it comes to converting almost tournaments he is almost winning. If he can keep this up who knows he has the caliber to even win the candidates and give a tough fight to ding

[@anotherelvis]

It could be interesting to interview a top level trainer or second. How do they use computers to find new openings? How do they help players prepare?

[@badrinarayanb3140]

Vidit : There must be a way to balance personal (relationship) and professional life. Anish : Marry another chess player, and things will get automatically balanced!😂

[@sumitru40]

All the best Vidit for Candidates....Thinking to be Toronto to cheer our Indian Boys... CBI run a campaign to support these players at toronto. In mainstream media during current CWC fever, this success didn't make that headlines... Toronto24 Candidates should. Lot of Indians in Canada... Cheer Pragg & Vidit

[@pranavsharma7577]

Congratulations

[@KariniSandeepKumar]

All the best VD. I wll try my best to get a visa so that i can meet you and cheer for you in Canada

[@Iconic_Ak_Achiever_akash666]

😎 Vidith's Voice is truly Fascinating, And Glory of Wisdom, Energy sharpness ❤😎

[@rimurutempest2130]

Do a Podcast section every week , Sagar Uncle . Talk to Chess players sometimes Math Professors turned Chess players etc etc .

[@Uday_274]

Came here from cbi clips

[@rahulmourya6469]

Congo. VD👏👏👏👏

[@karthikrao3595]

after all the covid hype and then seeing youngsters dominate this is just fitting and justified for vidit

[@Grotes_que]

All the Best from Team ONGC for wining the Candidates

[@anantkekre1349]

Vidit bhai i really was very emotionally invested in you. I used to watch every tournament closely and everytime you were choking in the last rounds. But this time you have given me one of the happiest moment of my life!!! Keep Going aur World Championship to apna hi hai. Just ask Samy to not call till World Championship🤣🤣

[@cruzerbandit655]

Sagar samay vd are love. ❤️❤️❤️

[@chessanalysis9017]

My favourite vidit...🎉🎉❤

[@ankitaverma3066]

Dhoni being a inspiration for a different champion

[@jasmitha8283]

" Philosophy + Positivity " ohhoo same here...

[@nikunjdeeep]

this video looks so wholsesome....

[@AnuRaG10522]

the comeback of VD BHAIIIII

[@reeturay7361]

It's my 20 times of watching this video one again

[@gopajeshwanth987]

VD❤❤

[@xinformatics]

Vidit's win feels like my win.

[@VishwasSingh-hv7iw]

What happened to the podcast you showed at the end of the vlog

[@tjable]

Please make more podcasts

[@akshayashok9988]

He is the man

[@sehajdeepsingh7427]

Great poadcast. Also great backboard wisdom for VD 😂

[@kaustubhgarg9662]

All the best 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@shauryagaming8318]

I was a big cricket fan and then lockdown happened. I accidentally landed on Samay's channel where this guy came and things changed, VD, Sagar, Samay, Anish and all the wolf pack gang ..they just made me fall so much in love with this game that I have stopped watching cricket completely. Cricket nowadays brings a lot of toxicity and Hatred, Chess brings in love and Friendship.... Even right now there is a live cricket world cup semifinals match happening and I am watching this podcast instead. Love you all guys. Keep it up

[@evensaj]

All the best vidit ❤

[@rafichess]

One thing which seemed missing in this podcast When you were mentioning tweets of vishy and when Vidit was mentioning his seconds. You didn't put any visuals of it! So that people don't have to search for it. It is a very normal "podcast"thing nowadays

[@anagham5670]

Where in Canada? How to go for the event to watch the games and show support?