Grit and Determination Propel Gukesh to Chess Champion
Dommaraju Gukesh has made history yet again, returning home from the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest with two gold medals—one for the Team Championship and an Individual gold on Top Board. This triumph solidifies his position among the world's elite players, rekindling hopes for an Indian World Chess Champion. The 18-year-old Grandmaster’s virtuoso performance, coupled with his meteoric rise, has catapulted him to World No. 7, with many believing that Gukesh is well on his way to claiming the World Chess Championship title.
Following Viswanathan Anand’s second loss to Magnus Carlsen in the 2014 World Chess Championship Final, Indian fans began to wonder who would fill Anand’s shoes. Would India, once home to a top-tier player, ever see another player enter the global chess elite? The answer came in 2024, as Gukesh led a new golden generation of Indian chess players including Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, and Aravindh Chithambaram. Along with Vidit Gujarathi and Pentala Harikrishna, Gukesh and this formidable team secured India’s championship win at the Budapest Olympiad.
Gukesh’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of extraordinary. His steady climb up the world rankings and significant rating increases in recent years now position him as the brightest star on the Indian chess horizon. His consistent performances, paired with a rigorous work ethic, have earned him a place as one of the most feared competitors in global chess. His recent victory in the World Chess Candidates Tournament has not only made him the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious event but also established him as the challenger to the reigning World Champion, Ding Liren of China. In a much-anticipated final match scheduled to take place in Singapore from November 25 to December 16, Gukesh will be the youngest player to ever compete for the World Chess Championship.
At the Budapest Olympiad, Gukesh delivered a spectacular, undefeated performance, amassing 10 points in 11 rounds with nine wins and two draws. His dominance on the board has made him the clear favorite in the upcoming World Championship match against Ding Liren, whose performance in Budapest was far less impressive.
Born in Chennai on March 29, 2006, Gukesh comes from a family with roots in the Godavari delta region of Andhra Pradesh. His parents, both doctors—father Dr. Rajinikanth is an ENT surgeon, and mother Dr. Padma is a microbiologist were initially surprised by his growing interest and natural talent in chess. Although his father dabbled in chess as an amateur player, there was no deep-rooted interest in the game within the family. Gukesh's talent was nurtured in the early stages by teachers and coaches at Velammal Vidyalaya school in Chennai. His fascination with chess grew further after witnessing the 2013 World Chess Championship match between Anand and Carlsen, held in his hometown.
Gukesh’s talent began to shine at an early age. In 2018, he won five gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championships, marking his prowess in U-12 individual rapid, blitz, classical, and team competitions. His ascent in the chess world continued at breakneck speed when he earned the title of Grandmaster at 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, narrowly missing Sergey Karjakin’s record by just 17 days. Although this record was later broken by Indian-American Abhimanyu Mishra, Gukesh's journey toward the chess elite remained steady and unrelenting.
His success continued with numerous titles, including an individual gold medal at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, a silver medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, and two gold medals at the World Youth Chess Championships. In October 2022, Gukesh became the youngest player to defeat Magnus Carlsen since the Norwegian became World Champion, further enhancing his reputation as a rising chess prodigy. By December 2024, Gukesh had surpassed his idol, Viswanathan Anand, as the highest-ranked Indian chess player, and shortly after, he became the third-youngest player to compete in the Candidates Tournament, following legends Bobby Fischer and Carlsen.
Known for his tenacity and sharp positional sense, Gukesh demonstrated remarkable patience in Budapest, especially in his marathon victory over Wei Yi of China. With a slight edge in position, Gukesh capitalized and secured a critical point that propelled India towards the Olympiad title.
As he prepares to face Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship, Gukesh is aiming for a historic win that would make him the youngest World Champion ever. The path to the top has not been easy Gukesh and his family have made tremendous sacrifices to support his chess career. His father has all but given up his career as a surgeon to accompany his son to tournaments, while the family relies on his mother’s earnings as a microbiologist.
Inspired by Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh is ready to take the world by storm. His determination and work ethic, coupled with an unwavering passion for the game, have placed him on the precipice of history. Should he win the World Championship, Gukesh will not only secure his place as a chess legend but also fulfill India’s dream of reclaiming the highest honor in chess.
