Chess Grandmaster: Fitness Fuels Olympic Gold Quest

Fabiano Caruana, a prominent Italian-American chess grandmaster, is targeting a Chess Olympiad victory for the U.S. team, a feat not achieved since 2016. He recently spoke about his preparation for the upcoming tournament in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, which runs until September 27.

Caruana highlights the importance of stamina for the 11-day classical tournament. He maintains his fitness by aiming for 3,000 calories and 120 grams of protein daily, although travel makes this challenging. He also engages in regular physical activities like tennis and weight training.

He notes that the mental exertion of chess increases heart rate and burns more energy, causing significant weight loss for professionals. Caruana's fitness focus is long-term, preventing fatigue and improving overall well-being during demanding events.

Caruana also observed a shift in chess culture, moving away from a historical drinking and smoking prevalence towards a greater emphasis on health, especially among newer generations from countries like India and Uzbekistan.

The U.S. team includes strong players like Wesley So and Levon Aronian. Caruana, now in his thirties, balances life responsibilities with his chess career, recognizing how younger players' fresh motivation differs.

The Olympiad utilizes classical time controls, with 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, plus 30 minutes and 30-second increments. India is noted as a favorite due to significant government support, while the U.S. championship is considered the strongest nationally.

Caruana discussed the impact of AI on chess, stating that while computers can solve many positions, it has no practical significance for human play. He is focused on the Olympiad and a potential future run for the world title.