D Gukesh, an 18-year-old chess champion from Chennai, just became a world champion by defeating Ding Liren from China. Winning this title means Gukesh will receive a prize of ₹11.45 crore from FIDE, but that’s not why he plays chess. For Gukesh, chess is about the thrill and happiness it brings him, just like when he was a kid playing with his first chess board.
Gukesh’s parents made many sacrifices to help him succeed. His father, Rajnikanth, stopped working as a doctor to support his son in chess, while his mother, Padmakumari, became the main breadwinner of the family. Gukesh explained that being a multi-millionaire means he can now help his family without them worrying about money.
Even though he has earned a lot, Gukesh insists he plays for the joy of the game. He believes every time he sits at the chess board, he learns something new. “The more you learn about chess, the more you realize how little you know,” he said. For him, both the journey of improving in chess and reaching his goals matter a lot.
Gukesh also shared about how he feels after matches. He likes to win, but he also wants to play well. If he plays beautifully but loses, he feels sad. On the other hand, if he wins without playing great, he feels happier. “My desire to win is stronger than my fear of losing,” he stated.
Outside of chess, Gukesh surprised everyone when he danced after winning a trophy. He joked that now his friends expect him to join them in dancing. He also shared a fun moment eating his favorite South Indian food during the championship and mentioned that he hasn’t had ice cream for a year, but he might treat himself soon!
Leave a Reply