“If Gukesh, Pragg can succeed, why can’t I?”
Hungary has long been a powerhouse in the world of chess, producing generations of players who left an indelible mark on the game. From the towering presence of Lajos Portisch and Zoltán Ribli to the groundbreaking achievements of the Polgar sisters, the country has nurtured talents that shaped modern chess. Among them, Peter Leko occupies a special place: once the youngest grandmaster in the world, he came agonisingly close to claiming the world championship title in 2004, missing out only after drawing his match with Vladimir Kramnik. His career, built on consistency and deep strategic understanding, made him one of the most respected players of his era.
Max Euwe became the fifth World Chess Champion after beating Alexander Alekhine in the 1935 World Championship match. A maths teacher by profession, Euwe remained an amateur throughout his life, but was still the best chess player in the Netherlands, and one of the world’s best players. Euwe holds the record for the most Dutch national championships, with twelve. After winning the World Championship, Euwe was also the world’s best player for a while. He lost the title again in 1937 in the rematch against Alexander Alekhine.
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Now in his forties, Leko has shifted from competing to mentoring and commentary, roles in which his influence continues to resonate. His most notable work is with Vincent Keymer, the German prodigy who has quickly established himself among the world’s leading players. Keymer’s recent triumph at the Chennai Masters, secured with a round to spare, has only strengthened the view that he is destined for the very top. For Leko, helping to guide this rise is both a professional challenge and a personal mission to support the next generation in ways he once benefitted from.
In conversation with The Indian Express, Leko discussed what makes Keymer special, the progress he has made in recent months, and the growing self-belief that fuels him. He also placed his protégé within the wider context of an exciting new wave of talent, with names like Gukesh Dommaraju, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Nodirbek Abdusattorov already achieving extraordinary feats at a young age. Keymer, he suggested, sees their success as proof that his own ambitions are within reach.
Leko was equally open when reflecting on his own playing career. He acknowledged that his tendency towards caution often cost him decisive wins, a contrast to the fighting spirit he sees in Keymer. At the same time, he spoke warmly of the bond he shares with the young German, one that goes beyond chess and includes a shared love of training camps, cycling, and collaborative discovery at the board.
Video by ChessBase India
Interview excerpts
Vincent won the Chennai Masters 2025 with a round to spare, beating a quality playing field. You were part of Viswanathan Anand’s team during the 2013 World Championship match against Magnus Carlsen. How does it feel that your student has tasted a big success in the same city?
It’s a sensational feeling because the tournament was very tough. It was a fantastic event. The Chennai Masters is a highlight of the year. Playing in Chennai, playing in India right now, is a fantastic feeling. I know Vincent enjoys going to India, the whole atmosphere, with people so enthusiastic about chess. There are so many spectators, so many cameras focused on the players. As a player, as a sportsman, as an artist, this is extremely important. It gives you extra energy.
Then, all the craziness that happened at the beginning of the tournament… the fire at the hotel and so on. For me personally, it was very emotional. I was there in the same Hyatt Regency hotel during the World Championship match between Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen. I was Team Vishy, so I had so many emotions. Just hearing that the tournament was taking place in that very same hotel, then the fire and everything… I was so happy and relieved when I heard the players could move back and the tournament could continue.
What Vincent has been doing is exceptional in the last six months. He won the Weissenhaus Freestyle event, crossed 2750, and broke into the world’s top 10. Is there anything different he’s been doing with you? What’s your general sense of his playing style these days?
The win in the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess gave him a lot of confidence. Anish Giri also discussed it in an interview after the tournament. He mentioned how Freestyle Chess seemed to “open up” Vincent. He gained so much confidence from beating Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Alireza Firouzja to win Weissenhaus. It was a sensational run. We’ve talked a lot about how, after this, there’s no reason to fear anyone or any situation. If you can play on equal terms against the very best in Freestyle Chess, without any opening preparation, then that’s a huge psychological breakthrough.
The success of the likes of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and (Nodirbek) Abdusattorov… Gukesh is a World Champion at 18, Praggnanandhaa is among the elite, and Abdusattorov has been in the world’s top 10 for quite some time. Vincent thinks… “Wait a second, I’m not worse than these guys. If they can succeed, why can’t I?”
In this video course, experts including Dorian Rogozenco, Mihail Marin, Karsten Müller and Oliver Reeh, examine the games of Boris Spassky. Let them show you which openings Spassky chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were and much more.
