Gukesh D G, a chess prodigy from India, made history as the youngest World Chess Champion, redefining the global chess landscape.
Gukesh Dommaraju, or Gukesh D for short, is a very talented chess player from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Born on May 29, 2006, Gukesh made international headlines as one of the youngest grandmasters in chess history. Reaching this height at the mere age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days in January 2019, Gukesh has become the youngest Grandmaster in the world at present, holding the second-youngest record after the recordholder Sergey Karjakin.
Early Life and Chess Initiation
- Entry into Chess: Gukesh has been playing chess since his seventh year in life when his father Dr. Rajinikanth, who is a neurologist and mother Padma a microbiologist, taught him.
- Initial Training: Under the mentorship of renowned coaches like Grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna, Gukesh's raw talent was nurtured into remarkable skill.
- Early Success: From a meteoric rise and the early victories in the age-category tournaments, these included the Asian Youth Chess Championship in 2015 and the World
Breaking Records: Under-12 Championship in 2018.
The Youngest Grandmaster Gukesh, in January 2019, became a Grandmaster by acquiring his third GM norm at the Delhi International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament. He was an icon of India's rise in the chess world.
Notable Achievements
- Chess Olympiad Hero (2022): Gukesh was one of the chess heroes during the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai, where he performed superbly on Board 1 and helped Team India take its place among the greats internationally.
- Breaking into the 2700 Elo Club (2023): Gukesh broke into the elite 2700 Elo club of the world's strongest chess players.
- Beating Magnus Carlsen: A landmark win over former World Champion Magnus Carlsen in a classical game further cemented Gukesh's status as a rising superstar.
- Youngest World Chess Champion (2024): Gukesh won the undisputed title of World Chess Champion in December 2024, defeating reigning champion Ding Liren at just 18 years of age in a tight 14-game match with a score of 7½–6½. This win broke Garry Kasparov's record and he is now the youngest person ever to hold the title.
Game Style and Legacy
Gukesh's style is marked by:
- Aggressive Play: Gukesh loves bold, inventive moves, thriving on the pressure of the situation.
- Strategic Depth: A master of preparation, his ability to read complex positions sets him apart.
- Unwavering Focus: Gukesh's mental resilience has been a cornerstone of his success.
As part of a new wave of Indian chess prodigies inspired by Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh is paving the way for India’s next generation of chess champions.
Beyond Chess
- Humility and Discipline: Despite his meteoric rise, Gukesh remains grounded, valuing education alongside his chess career.
- Holistic Approach: He can now remain clear-headed and focused in matches with huge stakes.
Looking Ahead
Gukesh, the World Chess Champion, is here to conquer the chess world for the next decade at least. His career has not only placed India at a strong position on the global chess map but has also inspired millions of Indians to dream big and aim to achieve the impossible.
Therefore, the Gukesh D G saga is an example of passion, hard work, and unbridled young minds reshaping the chess future.