D Gukesh Opens Up About Emotional Struggles and Triumphs in Chess

D Gukesh, the rising star of Indian chess, has recently opened up about the emotional struggles he faced during the past year. The young prodigy, who has had a remarkable run in 2024, admitted that the pressure of qualifying for the Candidates tournament took a toll on his mental state.

In a recent interview, Gukesh revealed, “Before the Chennai Grandmasters it was clear that I was not in a good mental state. I was having this rough phase, the tournaments before the Chennai were all pretty bad and the candidate’s qualification was taking a toll on me.”

However, the talented chess player found his rhythm after the Chennai performance and continued to excel in the Candidates tournament. Gukesh credited his practice of yoga and meditation for helping him maintain composure in high-pressure games.

“Chess wise too, emotionally I am feeling much better than what I was feeling last year. I’m playing good chess. Pretty much all the games that I’ve played recently have been some good games, some bad games, but not really any very bad games. And I have felt sharp during games and tournaments,” he shared.

Gukesh was a key player in India’s historic win at the Chess Olympiad, where the men’s team clinched their first-ever gold by defeating Slovenia in the final round. Reflecting on this achievement, Gukesh expressed that it was a huge confidence booster for him.

“It was a very special performance for me personally. And I’m very glad with how I played and how I handled different situations in the Olympiad. It’s surely a confidence booster for the World Championship,” he concluded.

The young chess prodigy’s openness about his emotional struggles and the strategies he uses to overcome them have garnered praise from fans and fellow players alike. Gukesh’s resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to aspiring chess players around the world.