Dear Sagar…

The game of chess is one of the most transcendental things that we humans have created.

But at the end of the day — this day — there are a few things that transcend even chess, and that is: one’s own humanity itself. Being humane, compassionate towards others, and kind.

The day before yesterday, my favorite Indian players were: Vishy Sir (I’m in his generation I), Pragg, Vidit, Humpy, Guki, Divya, Arjun, Vaishali…

…but yesterday I had a new favorite player: Nihal. He elevated himself from being just a great young chess player to a thoughtful, courageous human being.

At the end of the day, what I saw happening was a very human thing, Sagar: a sensitive, creative, kind human being (who happened to be a great chess player) — Danya, being hounded by a thoughtless, cruel, bullying human being (who also happens to be a great chess player, and even a former world chess champion).

I think you may soon be facing one of the most difficult decisions of your personal and professional life: whether or not to take a public stand on this, via your immense and beautiful chess platform.

Just from seeing your work at ChessBase India over these almost-10 years, I can tell you are a good man, Sagar. You and Amruta are a gift not just to the world of chess… but to the world itself. Listen to your intuition. You know what is in your heart, and what you have witnessed, over the past year or so.



If you speak your heart and your mind, like Nihal so bravely did, you will have done a good thing for the memory and legacy of Danya, who left all of us too soon. And for the legacy of chess itself.