For D Gukesh, the new world chess champion, being called a “multi-millionaire” is undoubtedly significant, but he clarifies that he doesn’t play for financial gain. His enthusiasm for the game, which dates back to his early years when a chessboard was the “coolest toy,” is what mattered most to him.
After defeating China’s Ding Liren in the final, Chennai-based Gukesh, who is only 18 years old, received Rs 11.45 crore in prize money from FIDE. Gukesh’s mother, Padmakumari, a microbiologist, became the family’s main provider, while his father, Rajnikanth, gave up his job as an ENT physician to accompany his son on the chess tour.
“It means a lot,” Gukesh said in response to a question concerning the significance of becoming a multimillionaire. My family had difficult choices when I initially began playing chess. My parents struggled emotionally and financially. He told FIDE in an interview that “things are easier now, and they don’t need to worry about those issues.” But he swiftly emphasised, “I don’t play chess for money personally.” Gukesh thinks about his early passion for the game a lot. “I’m still the same child who enjoys playing chess. It was the most awesome gadget.
His family is very important to him. Gukesh can concentrate entirely on chess because his father helps him on the board and handles his obligations outside of it. His mother, in turn, serves as the family’s emotional and spiritual fulcrum. Gukesh said, “She says she would be pleased to hear that I’m a tremendous chess player, but she would be even more delighted to hear that I’m a better person.”
Gukesh keeps a modest outlook on his chess career despite his achievements. He believes that as he gains more knowledge about the game, he becomes more aware of how much he still doesn’t comprehend. “Even the best athletes make errors. Even with advancements in technology, there is always more to discover. “You realise how little you know the more you learn,” he said. “I learn something new every time I play chess. It’s an endlessly beautiful process.
Gukesh believes that while the trip is essential, knowing where you’re going is just as vital. For instance, I’ll be upset if I play a lovely game and lose. But I’ll be content if I win, even though I didn’t give it my all. “I concentrate on the outcome,” he stated. Experts thought the finals were a little dull, but Gukesh doesn’t think his fear of losing overpowers his will to win. He said that he was shocked by Liren’s readiness to accept a draw in the second game and that his desire to win outweighed his fear of losing. He was protecting so well that I had more room to strike. It ended up being a comfortable draw, but he should have pushed me more after my subpar performance in the first game.
Liren’s more cautious behaviour only partially took aback Gukesh. “It wasn’t very shocking. He appeared to favour the safer choices. He ought to have taken more chances. Gukesh’s impromptu dance after winning the Chess Olympiad Trophy went viral despite his assertions that he is a terrible dancer. He now jokes that he thinks his pals won’t be able to move on from it. In the past, I would remain in the corner while my buddies danced. But I joined in on the good vibes following the Olympiad victory. My pals remarked, “You danced there, so now you have to dance with us!” when the video became viral.
During the final, Gukesh thanked the Singaporean chef for serving him his favourite comfort food, South Indian specialities. It’s been a year since he last tasted ice cream, he remarked. Perhaps I’ll get myself one soon.” On December 12, Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh defeated the current world chess champion, Ding Liren, in a thrilling final match to become the youngest-ever champion at 18.
This continues the extraordinary heritage of the great Viswanathan Anand and ushers in a new era of chess supremacy for India. Gukesh defeated Garry Kasparov, who had held the record since 1985 when he became the youngest world champion at 22, at the age of just 18. Gukesh, who created history by winning the championship title in an exciting Game 14 finale, declared, “I’m just living my dream.”
