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Vol. XXXIV No. 13, October 16-31, 2024

Gukesh: Another world chess champion from Chennai?

In the wee hours of April 25, 2024, a familiar scene unfolded at the Chennai International Airport. The city welcomed back home yet another Chess Grandmaster who had just wrought a stupendous achievement, one special even by Chennai’s lofty standards in the sport – Grandmaster D. Gukesh had just won the prestigious Candidates tournament and had become the challenger to the reigning world champion Ding Liren of China. The last Indian sportsman to have won the right to challenge the reigning world champion in Chess was five-time world champion Grandmaster V. Anand, in 2013. The reigning champion then was the Swede Magnus Carlson. Such was the magnitude of Gukesh’s achievement that around eighty of his schoolmates from the Velammal Group of Institutions – where Gukesh studies – landed up at the airport, even at that unearthly hour. They were accompanied by officials from the State as well as the National Chess Federation and chess aficionados from the city. Gukesh was accorded a tumultuous, joyous welcome as his coach Vishnu Prasanna watched with pride.

A sportsperson achieves greatness on the back of unshakeable self-confidenceand commitment. Gukesh stands out as a shining example. His pursuit of excellence and a never-say-die attitude have helped him climb to the pinnacle of the sport. K. Visweswaran, one of the finest Chess instructors and FIDE Master – World rank 13490 at the time of writing this article – says that Gukesh is “a fighter; he has this quality as his great asset.” Gukesh’s coach Vishnu Prasanna who started working with him in 2017 and is a Grandmaster himself says that the young sportsman has “tremendous enthusiasm” and is “hard-working, besides ­[having a] great appetite for Chess.”

D. Gukesh. Picture courtesy: The Hindu.

Observing that Gukesh has grown quite rapidly in the sport, Vishnu says that he can play for hours. “Over the last year, as his experience against top players has increased, he has learned enough to compete, and even outplay them,” he points out. Vishnu identifies Gukesh’s wins in the Chennai Grandmasters and the Candidate as key moments in his growth. About Gukesh’s chances of toppling Ding Liren, Vishnu is optimistic. “Gukesh’s preparation over the next few months will be key,” he says, adding that “chances are even for both sides at the moment.”

Gukesh’s father, Dr. Rajinikanth – an ENT specialist – says that his son chose Chess because “of his qualities of passion, determination and love” rather than “any force of circumstances.”

Gukesh himself admits that he is drawn to sports, in general. “I was interested in most sports,” he says. “I was keen to try any sport at hand. I had the time and the opportunity.” In the beginning, he enjoyed playing cricket with his cousins in the neighbourhood, and then badminton for a while. Now, he plays tennis in his free time. “He gets to relax and exercise with other sports,” says his father. “But his true passion lies in Chess.”

When asked about his feat of becoming the youngest FIDE candidate at 17 years, Gukesh demurs. According to his father, Gukesh doesn’t feel that he has achieved great heights – not yet, anyway. “He always feel the need to improve, and works hard to be the best in his field,” says Dr. Rajinikant. That is perhaps Gukesh’s greatest strength.

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