How Gukesh Conquered the Chess World at 18
On a historic evening in 1983, a young Indian wearing a blue blazer and a vivid smile on his face, lifted the Cricket World Cup trophy on the balcony of Lord’s. What followed was more than just celebration—it was the birth of a sporting revolution. Kapil Dev’s triumph didn’t just win India a trophy; it ignited a fire that would redefine the nation’s sporting culture. Every child dreamed of playing in the blue jersey, as the sound of perfectly timed cover drives echoed through every gully. Decades later, in 2007, MS Dhoni’s fearless leadership in the T20 World Cup propelled Indian cricket to new heights, solidifying its place as a global powerhouse.
Similarly, in 2000, Viswanathan Anand’s ascent in the chess world signaled that an Indian could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best, breaking into a domain long dominated by the Soviet Union. By becoming world champion, Anand inspired a generation and paved the way for future talents to chase the ultimate title.
Much like Dhoni’s fearless approach transformed Indian cricket, Gukesh embodies the new face of Indian chess. But beyond the analogy, his rise is a story of relentless dedication, exceptional skill, and the dawn of a new era for Indian dominance in the game. Let’s dive into what makes Gukesh the flagbearer of India’s chess future.
Humble Beginnings
Gukesh started playing chess at the age of seven, and his talent was evident early on. Just two years after learning the game, he won the U-9 Asian School Chess Championship in 2015. He soon dropped out of school to pursue chess full-time, and a few years later, his father quit his job to travel with him to tournaments. This level of early dedication was a gamble, but Gukesh was willing to bet on himself.
In an interview with ChessBase India, an 11-year-old Gukesh made his dreams public:
“I want to become the youngest world champion.”
At the time, many may not have taken him seriously. But the goal was set, and the journey had begun.
A Meteoric Rise
Gukesh’s rise to the top felt like a storybook narrative. He joined an elite list of the youngest grandmasters in history and continued breaking records, becoming one of the youngest players to reach the 2700 and 2750 rating milestones.
His crowning achievement in 2024 was winning the FIDE Circuit, earning him a spot in the most prestigious event in chess—the Candidates Tournament. At just 17, he became one of the youngest players ever to compete in the history of the Candidates.
Yet, questions loomed over his ability to perform at such a high-stakes event. Even Magnus Carlsen expressed doubts about Gukesh’s chances due to his relative inexperience. But Gukesh was determined to prove everyone wrong.
FIDE Candidates 2024
On April 3, under the golden Toronto sun, the FIDE Candidates began. Gukesh had a very strong start, winning a couple of games and by Round 7, he was leading the pack—undefeated, untouchable, and seemingly in no real danger.
But then, disaster struck. Alireza Firouzja, mounted an incredible comeback with mere seconds on the clock. From a winning position, Gukesh blundered into forced checkmate. It was a brutal defeat. But Gukesh proved his resilience. After a much-needed rest day, he bounced back with a spectacular victory in Round 8.
Heading into the final round, he was half a point ahead. The tension was palpable. Mistakes were made across the board, pieces flying everywhere with seconds left, but when the dust settled, Gukesh had done it—he emerged as the winner.
(P.S. I made a mini-documentary covering his journey through the Candidates. Watch it here.)
The Olympiad Triumph
The 2024 Budapest Olympiad was one of the most dominant shows ever from team India, both in the open sections and the women’s section. With notable performances from Vantika Agarwal, Arjun Erigaisi and of course Gukesh Dommaraju.
Team India made history defeating big names along the way. Gukesh himself had a spectacular tournament, delivering a monumental performance rating of 3056.
The World Championship Battle
The build-up narrative to the Singapore Chess World Championship was a battle of generations. A washed veteran of the game against young blood.
Defending champion Ding Liren struck first, winning Game 1 by methodically converting a small advantage. For a moment, Gukesh looked vulnerable. Had his journey been fueled by luck that had now run out? Was he about to be schooled on the biggest stage?
But Gukesh struck back in Game 3, silencing the doubters. Throughout the match, he consistently out-prepared Ding, demonstrating remarkable composure. Heading into the final game, the score was tied.
The finale seemed quiet—until Ding blundered. The opportunity was all Gukesh needed. He finished the game in style, emphatically centralizing his king to e5, forcing Ding to resign.
At just 18, Gukesh became the World Chess Champion.
The Aftermath
What followed was nothing short of rockstar status for Gukesh. He was received home in a grand fashion. His name echoed across India, his face plastered on newspapers, billboards, and television screens. He embarked on a victory lap across the country, attending media events and receiving widespread recognition for his historic achievement. He was even awarded the ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ by the president of India.
Every local tournament prospectus now featured his face. Everyone claimed to have known him personally, sharing anecdotes of past encounters. He had lived the Indian prodigy’s dream—dreaming big, working hard, and winning.
Today, Indian chess is stronger than ever. With six players in the 2700+ club, the country is producing elite talent at an unprecedented rate. Chess is finally receiving national recognition as a serious sport and a valuable activity for young minds.
The future of Indian chess is here. And Gukesh leads the way.
