“ You can fly Ryanair and still win the Candidates “ - Anish Giri

“ You can fly Ryanair and still win the Candidates “ - Anish Giri

In this interview with FIDE, grandmaster Anish Giri reflects on his professional evolution and psychological approach ahead of the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament. He dismisses past reputations for excessive draws as statistical anomalies, suggesting that stylistic consistency and the high level of modern competition naturally lead to such results. Giri also discusses his relationship with social media, viewing it as a powerful marketing tool that requires a thick skin to navigate the inevitable public scrutiny. He emphasises that mental resilience is a critical, yet unpredictable, factor in elite chess, where even the world's best players occasionally succumb to pressure. Additionally, he offers a glimpse into his personal life, sharing anecdotes about travel logistics and the balance between his family responsibilities and his competitive drive. Ultimately, Giri maintains a grounded perspective, noting that success in such a prestigious event often depends on a combination of rigorous preparation and simple good fortune. You can watch the full video here - Anish Giri on the FIDE Candidates 2026, Mentality & Social Media

Charlize Van Zyl: I’m joined today by Anish Giri at the 2026 FIDE Candidates in Cyprus. Anish, this is your third rodeo; let’s talk about your growth since your first one in 2016, where you had 14 draws, and 2020–21, where you shared third place. How have you grown as a chess player over the years?

Anish Giri: I don’t think it really works like that. While I have surely improved tremendously, I think everybody else is improving too. Being a top chess player is like running a marathon with your competitors; everyone is running forward, but some run a little faster during certain stretches. My better results in the second Candidates were probably a coincidence, as I was lucky and unlucky in both. I am hoping this one will go even better so we can draw a chart like Bitcoin "to the moon".

Charlize Van Zyl: Let’s speak about those 14 draws. That "drawing niche" followed you on social media for a long time, but you’ve had very decisive results lately, like at the Grand Swiss. Do you think that was because of your solidity, or have you grown from that?

Anish Giri: I think it was a bit of a coincidence. At the top level, the drawing percentage is high, roughly around 50%. In that specific Candidates tournament, I had many chances, mostly to win. Stylistically, if you convert a little less well and defend a little better than average, you end up with more draws from both better and worse positions. Players like Wesley So or Rajabov usually have higher percentages than me. Recently, my drawing percentage dropped because I’ve played a lot of open tournaments where you have to take bigger risks. Ultimately, whatever gets you the results works.

Charlize Van Zyl: As an avid social media user, you’ve seen the "tiers" of people ranking the candidates' chances, and you even made one yourself ChatGPT style. What are your thoughts on seeing these opinions and where you are ranked?

Anish Giri: The chart I made was only slightly more random than the others. It is a lot of fun to speculate when a big event is coming up. As a fan myself, I know the excitement of trying to predict things. Some people got very creative, picking Vitiugov as a favorite or putting Emil Sutovsky in the top tier. It’s all fun and games until we sit down, make blunders, and someone wins.

Charlize Van Zyl: When you do sit down at this tournament, will you be active on social media despite the outside noise?

Anish Giri: We’ll see. Social media can be time-consuming, mostly the scrolling part, which is designed to be addictive. I definitely won't be doing that. I usually just post and go. However, sometimes you find a fascinating interview and the next thing you know, you’re watching AI kittens fight each other. Posting is a bit of a marketing thing. If I trash-talk Hikaru and then blunder against him, I should probably stay off for a day or two.

Charlize Van Zyl: How do you avoid internalizing the negativity online?

Anish Giri: I am very experienced with that now. I have been in the social media space since the very beginning. I once spoke to a person in show business who was a judge on a TV program; he received heavy criticism regardless of whether he voted for a newcomer or an experienced person in identical situations. You just have to accept that is how it works and make the best of it. Social media is a great free marketing tool compared to expensive traditional media. Plus, it is nice to connect with genuine fans who are curious about your thoughts.

Charlize Van Zyl: It is nice because chess players didn't used to be so accessible, but now people can read your thoughts on Twitter every day.

Anish Giri: I wouldn't say those are my actual thoughts on my social media accounts; hopefully, they aren't reflecting that.

Charlize Van Zyl: Let’s speak about the mental aspect. The Candidates is a psychological event. Do you think you have an advantage there?

Anish Giri: I have certain strengths and weaknesses regarding psychology based on my character. Sometimes I rise to the occasion under pressure, and other times I don't. Working on your mindset is one of the most important things you can do, but ultimately, you also just have to be lucky to win a tournament like this.

Charlize Van Zyl: Do you have a specific way of working on your mentality?

Anish Giri: I’ve tried everything over the years—working with myself, chess coaches, and mental coaches. I’ve read books and watched podcasts to pick up useful things. Even top athletes like Ding Liren, who showed incredible resilience in his world championship match, or Magnus Carlsen, an icon of mental strength, have moments where the pressure gets to them. That mental fight translated into the game is what makes sports fascinating for viewers.

Charlize Van Zyl: You are one of the more experienced players here at 31 years old. You’ve mentioned that being married with kids puts you in a good spot to fight for the title. Do you still feel that gives you an advantage over the younger players?

Anish Giri: My kids haven't actually grown that much yet; it’s still quite loud and eventful at home. There are advantages and disadvantages to everything. Someone will be lucky, and the lucky one will win.

Charlize Van Zyl: Final question: I saw online that you flew Ryanair in a middle seat to get here. Why didn't you select a seat?

Anish Giri: I checked in, but they announced I had a middle seat and offered an upgrade for a cost. We looked for flights thoroughly, but there was no direct flight from Amsterdam because it is the off-season. It was a good coincidence for my "social media saint" persona. The flight was fine; the person in the other seat was my second, so I could just push him over or sleep on his shoulder.

Charlize Van Zyl: You’ve seen ultimate luxury before, haven't you?

Anish Giri: Yes, I once flew on a private jet to a $200 million boat by accident because Magnus took me along. After seeing that, you can't impress me with anything. Happiness doesn't come from that; you can fly Ryanair and still win the Candidates.

Charlize Van Zyl: Who do you arrange your travels with?

Anish Giri: I book everything myself. I actually love booking things; it gives me a sort of dopamine hit. In another life, I could have been a travel agent. The more I book, the happier I get.

Charlize Van Zyl: Thank you so much, Anish, and good luck.

Anish Giri: Thank you.