"I think Vidit should become Dutch player... He would be one of the best Dutch players for years to come" — Anish Giri

Anish Giri

Netherlands' No. 1

“Team India is a very competitive team. There’s a lot of young players. And it is very easy to imagine the scenario how, if you’re not at the top of your game, and you’re not motivated, and you’re not working at your most, how you lose your spot in that team.

Which is not the same case with, for example, the Dutch team. In the Dutch team there’s much less competition, so someone of Vidit’s level could be by far worthy of being a Dutch team member for years to come.

Even if he absolutely retires from chess for five years, he will still probably be in the top five of the Netherlands in terms of his level and in terms of his rating.

With India, it’s maybe not the case. With India, Vidit indeed could see himself not play any more Olympiads if he doesn’t want to. It’s all relative.

[User from the chat: Easy solution, Vidit becomes Dutch.]

It’s what I’ve been suggesting. I think Vidit should become Dutch player. I think you should go tell Vidit, if you meet him, that he should become player for the Netherlands.

He would feel very comfortable playing for the Netherlands because he would feel that there’s no one to replace him here. So, he would be one of the best Dutch players for years to come.”