Harikrishna: The China specialist on Gukesh’s team

In an interview to HT, the 38-year-old Indian GM spoke about his understanding of Chinese players and Ding as a friend

Bengaluru: It was close to New Year’s Eve, after the World Rapid and Blitz tournament last year, when Pentala Harikrishna received a call from Gukesh. “I didn’t have the faintest idea of what he had in mind,” the 38-year-old Indian GM told HT. Turned out, the Indian teen, and now newly-crowned world champion, was calling to ask if he would be willing to help him with preparation for the Candidates.

P Harikrishna was one of D Gukesh's seconds. (FIDE)

Harikrishna joined the team, Gukesh ended up winning the Candidates