Dommaraju Gukesh: A Rising Star in the World of Chess

Dommaraju Gukesh: The Young Chess Prodigy Making India Proud

Dommaraju Gukesh – a name that resonates with brilliance and resilience in the world of chess. Mastering chess strategies since the age of seven, it was almost predestined that Gukesh would achieve championship glory. Today, he stands as a proud ambassador of India on the global stage, earning accolades for his extraordinary skill and determination. Having brought laurels to India from international platforms, Gukesh has now unfurled the victory flag at the World Chess Championship.

Born on May 29, 2006 in Chennai, Gukesh is the son of Dr Rajinikanth, an ENT specialist, and Dr Padma, a microbiologist. Although his parents hail from Andhra Pradesh, Gukesh grew up in Chennai. From an early age, he exhibited a deep passion for chess, a trait that only grew stronger as he aged. His journey began when he was a first grader at Velammal School in Chennai, a renowned institution known for nurturing many grandmasters, including Karthikeyan Murali, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa.

It was at Velammal School that Gukesh first received formal chess training from his coach Bhaskar at the tender age of seven. Recognizing his potential, Bhaskar referred Gukesh to the chess academy run by his friend Vijay Anand. Even at that young age, Gukesh displayed an insatiable passion for the game, quickly mastering the board and pieces with remarkable speed.

Gukesh’s rise in the chess world was meteoric. Within just six months, he transformed into a formidable player. Although he competed in numerous national-level tournaments, his first championship victory came in 2015, at an event for players under nine years of age. After this initial success, Gukesh began training under Grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna, whose mentorship honed his precision and elevated his game. In 2017, Gukesh earned the title of International Chess Master, a feat attributed to his rigorous training under Vishnu.

In 2018, Gukesh claimed the Under-12 World Chess Championship in Spain. Shortly after, in 2019, he became the world’s youngest Grandmaster at just 12 years, seven months, and 12 days old, a milestone that catapulted him into international prominence.

Since 2020, Gukesh has been training at the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy under the guidance of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand. In 2022, he represented India with distinction at the inaugural WR Masters tournament. Although he narrowly missed victory in the final round against Levon Aronian, his performance was commendable. Another significant moment came at the Chess World Cup, where he faced Magnus Carlsen in a highly anticipated quarter-final match. Despite his exit from the tournament, Gukesh’s FIDE rating soared to 2750, surpassing Anand’s rating. This marked a historic moment, as it was the first time in 37 years that someone from India had surpassed Anand’s ranking.

In April 2024, Gukesh made history at the Candidates Tournament by competing against the world’s top players. Over 14 grueling rounds, he secured five wins, eight draws, and a single loss, accumulating nine points. At just 18 years old, Gukesh became the youngest winner in the tournament’s history, breaking Russian legend Garry Kasparov’s record set at age 22. This victory qualified him for the World Chess Championship and solidified his status as the youngest-ever contender in the tournament.

As Gukesh prepares for the World Chess Championship, he carries the hopes of an entire nation. He is poised to follow in the footsteps of legends, paving his own path into history. At just 18, Dommaraju Gukesh is not merely playing chess; he is redefining what is possible, inspiring countless others, and making India proud on the global stage.