Dommaraju Gukesh, born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India, has made history by becoming the youngest person ever to win the World Chess Championship without any doubts about his victory. From being a curious child to becoming a famous chess player worldwide, his success shows his amazing skills, hard work, and the strong support of his family.
Gukesh Dommaraju’s Early Life and Introduction to Chess
Gukesh was born into a family from Andhra Pradesh that speaks Telugu. His dad, Dr. Rajinikanth, is a surgeon who works on ears, nose, and throat problems. His mom, Dr. Padmavathi, studies tiny living things called microbes. The family moved to Chennai, where Gukesh’s parents continued their medical jobs. Gukesh first went to school at Velammal Vidyalaya School in Mel Ayanambakkam, Chennai.
When Gukesh was seven years old, he started to really like chess. Seeing how much he enjoyed it, his parents signed him up for chess lessons. They spent an hour on chess three times a week to help him get better. By 2013, Gukesh was very serious about chess and made some big decisions to focus on it more. He stopped going to regular school after fourth grade and started learning at home so he could spend more time practicing and playing in tournaments.
Family’s Role in His Chess Career
Gukesh’s family gave him strong support, which was very important for his success in chess. In 2017, his dad decided to stop working as a doctor for a while to go with Gukesh to many chess tournaments. This helped Gukesh have the support he needed during the games. During this time, the family used money from friends and people who wanted to help to pay for Gukesh’s training and trips to play in other countries. This shows how much the family cared about helping Gukesh reach his full potential.
Rise Through the Ranks
Gukesh Dommaraju’s journey includes many impressive achievements:
• 2015: He won the Under-9 category at the Asian School Chess Championships, showing he was ready for international competition.
• 2017: He became an International Master, proving how quickly he was improving in chess.
• January 2019: At 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days old, Gukesh became the second youngest person ever to become a Grandmaster, which showed his amazing skill.
• 2022: He won a gold medal at the 44th Chess Olympiad, making it clear he was a strong player.
• April 2024: He won the FIDE Candidates Tournament with 9 points out of 14, becoming the youngest person to ever win this important event and earning the chance to compete for the World Championship.
Historic World Championship Victory
On December 12, 2024, in Singapore, Gukesh played against the current World Champion, Ding Liren. The game was very tough, but Gukesh’s smart thinking and strong mind helped him win with a score of 7.5 to 6.5. At 18 years and six months old, he became the youngest person ever to be the true World Chess Champion. This beat the old record, which was set by Garry Kasparov in 1985 when he became champion at 22 years and seven months.
Mental Fortitude and Psychological Preparation
In addition to his strong chess skills, Gukesh’s mental toughness has been a key factor in his success. He has worked closely with sports psychologist Paddy Upton to improve his mental resilience, helping him handle the stress of important competitions. This emphasis on mental preparation has been very important for his consistent performance at the top level.
Government Recognition and Tax Exemption for Gukesh Dommaraju:
After winning the World Championship, Gukesh received a prize of ₹11.45 crore. People think his big win is very important, so they want his prize money to be free from taxes. R. Sudha, a member of parliament from Mayiladuthurai, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to not charge taxes on Gukesh’s prize money, because his success brings pride to the country in sports.
Impact on Indian Chess
Gukesh’s quick and impressive success has brought new excitement to chess in India. He is following the path of his teacher, Viswanathan Anand, and has become the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship title. His achievements have motivated many young people to take up chess in a country with a long history of the game, starting with the ancient game of chaturanga.
Conclusion
Dommaraju Gukesh’s journey from a young chess enthusiast to the youngest World Chess Champion is a narrative of talent, dedication, and familial support. His achievements have not only set new records but have also inspired countless individuals, reaffirming India’s prominent position in the global chess arena.
For a visual insight into the discussions surrounding Gukesh’s prize money and taxation, you may find the following video informative:
Gukesh’s Rigorous Practice Regimen
To become a top chess player, you need hard work, self-control, and always trying to get better. Dommaraju Gukesh’s story is no different. He is known for his strong work habits and his way of playing chess includes careful practice and continuous learning.
From a young age, Gukesh spent many hours every day improving his skills. His training involved solving puzzles, looking at famous players’ old games, playing online matches, and working on strategies with his teacher. A big part of his practice was focused on endgames and opening moves, which are very important for winning competitions. His skill in adjusting to different playing styles, finding his opponents’ mistakes, and planning ways to beat them made him special.
As Gukesh moved up in the chess world, he learned from famous coaches who helped him improve. One of his main teachers, Grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna, was very important in making Gukesh better at tactics and understanding positions. Since modern chess uses a lot of technology, Gukesh used chess programs and advanced software to study his games, practice positions, and prepare for openings. This helped him stay strong in the quickly changing world of chess.
Even though he is young, Gukesh showed amazing mental strength and concentration. His training was not just about playing chess; it also included staying physically fit and mentally prepared. He practiced yoga and meditation to stay calm during tough matches. Sports psychologists also helped him build confidence and taught him how to handle losing well.
The Role of Gukesh’s Parents
Gukesh’s amazing success wouldn’t have been possible without the full support and sacrifices of his parents, Dr. Rajinikanth and Dr. Padmavathi. Both are doctors, and they quickly saw their son’s special talent. They changed their lives to help him grow and succeed.
Dr. Rajinikanth, Gukesh’s dad, was especially involved in helping his chess career. Knowing how tough competitive chess can be, he chose to stop working as a doctor and traveled with Gukesh to tournaments around the world. This helped Gukesh feel supported and ready during important matches. The family had money problems during this time, but they didn’t give up. They used their savings and got help from friends and sponsors to pay for Gukesh’s training and trips.
Dr. Padmavathi, Gukesh’s mom, helped him stay focused and motivated. She took care of the home and supported his homeschooling. She often talked about finding a good balance between helping Gukesh develop his skills and letting him enjoy a regular childhood. Both of Gukesh’s parents taught him the importance of being disciplined and humble, qualities that still show in his personality today, even with all his success.
The family also created a home where learning and trying new things were encouraged. Gukesh’s parents made sure he had books, chess materials, and helpful mentors around him. Their hard work and strong belief in Gukesh’s talents gave him a strong start in life.
A Family’s Commitment to Excellence
Gukesh’s journey shows not only his talent but also the hard work and sacrifices of his parents. Their willingness to give up personal and professional things shows how important a supportive family is in helping talented kids succeed. Now that Gukesh is the youngest World Chess Champion, his parents’ support continues to inspire families with gifted children around the world.