Checkmate D. Gukesh – The Chess Prodigy
‘When you see a good move, look for a better one’.
Chess is everything – an art, a science and a sport. Once in a blue moon does one come across a person who has been gifted the ability to live life like a game of chess, changing with each move.
Meet the Chess Master D. Gukesh, the child prodigy from India who only eats, breathes and lives playing chess. The reigning world chess champion created history by defeating GM Ding Liren in the FIDE World Championship held in December 2024.
He is the youngest unparalleled world champion in chess history, at 18 years and 6 months; surpassing the previous record of 22 years and 7 months set by the legendary GM Garry Kasparov. Gukesh earned the Grand Master title at a mere age of 12 years, 7 months and 17 days. As per an article published on Chess.com, Gukesh was ranked eighth across the world and the 1st in India in September 2023, ending GM Viswanathan Anand’s hold as India’s top-rated player.
Early Life:
Gukesh actually learnt to play chess and grew an affinity since he was seven years old. Some say it’s a fairly late start compared to other prodigies. The young lad hails from the southern city of Chennai and has often credited his humble upbringing and thought-provoking environment for making a kickstart at a young age.
He was introduced to chess as a sport by his school faculty, which is responsible for nurturing talents like Grand Masters Murali Karthikeyan, Aravindh Chithambaram and Praggnanandhaa R. Gukesh’s coach at the school helped the youngster become a FIDE-rated player within six months of learning the game.
Recent Years:
Soon enough the 18th world champion began tasting success after his professional competence in the game developed considerably. At the 2015 Asian School Chess Championships, he won the under-9 section and also earned the ‘Candidate Master’ title.
At the 2018 Asian Youth Chess Championships he won five gold medals under different categories and clinched the title at the World Youth Championship too. These successes cemented his place as a rising star in the chess world. He became an international master at 11 years, nine months and nine days old after gaining the three IM norms at Malaysia, Moscow and Capelle la Grande respectively.
Second-Youngest Grandmaster in History:
In January 2019, Gukesh became the second-youngest chess Grandmaster in history by scoring at the 17th Delhi International Grandmaster Open. He was exactly 12 years, 7 months and 17 days old at the time, missing the youngest Grandmaster’s record Karjakin’s record by mere 17 days precisely.
Since he accomplished this feat, Gukesh has been globetrotting and taking part in every major domestic and international tournament to continuously improve and excel at his game. He went undefeated and took first place, earning a performance rating of 2667 at the Cannes Chess Festival 2020.
Another feather to his cap was when he won team bronze and individual gold at the 2022 FIDE Chess Olympiad and paved the way for him to become the world champion that he is today.
- Gukesh’s strong junior career continued in 2023 with a victory in the Junior Speed Chess Championship.
- In July, he crossed the 2750 FIDE rating barrier and became the youngest player ever to do so.
World Championship:
In the run-up to the World Championship, Gukesh played the 45th Chess Olympiad in September. His ranking became the fifth in the world as India won the gold medal, while also winning the individual gold for himself.
The World Championship between Gukesh and Ding Liren, a best-of-14 match. A series of intense and draws followed until Gukesh broke through and won the 11th game, but Ding immediately came back and tied the match in game 12. The tiebreaks appeared unavoidable until Ding’s classic move and few turns later, Gukesh was crowned the world champion.
As a real sport enthusiast and a chess master, D. Gukesh has top-notch coaching being provided by one of India’s greatest grand masters Prasanna. In addition, the contributions made by his parents to support his aspirations and make him follow his passion to achieve such unprecedented success is absolutely incredible.
My Perspective:
If chess were only a game, it would have probably never survived the serious trials which it has been subjected to, since the adulation received by other physically demanding sports is much higher compared to it.
In principle essence, a game of chess symbolizes what human beings constantly indulge in – a fight. Not a fight which would create enmity, but one in which the logical, the humanistic and intellectual elements come together mutually.
Chess is open to everyone, regardless of the age, gender, physical or economic status. Chess is primarily a game of decision-making, which involves ‘eliminating the options’ and deciding on the next move in a given time and be prepared to live with the consequences. This is pretty much the summary of all of our lives too.
