Vidit Gujrathi says Chess has always lacked a bit of professionalism

After becoming a Grandmaster at the age of 16 and having achieved tremendous success over the years, leading Indian chess player Vidit Gujrathi feels the sport has lacked professionalism in scheduling of events that, more often than not, adversely affects the players' wellbeing.

Gujrathi, who was a part of India's gold-winning campaign in the Chess Olympiad recently, says the sport's ecosystem needs a major overhaul to ensure players have more balance in life.

Yeah, it's not ideal because we are just playing back-to-back tournaments. It comes at the cost of, let's say, personal life or living in the comfort of your home. You are always on the go," Gujrathi told PTI on the sidelines of Global Chess League here.

"And it cannot be good for the physical body because you are not in one place. Your schedule is changing all the time. So, there is that cost (we have to pay for playing chess).

I feel chess has always lacked a bit of professionalism when it comes to these things, when it co