Saji Chacko
GUKESH has a habit of creating history. In Toronto, the bearded, 17- year- old became the youngest ever to win World Candidates Championships. Gukesh will now lock horns with world champion Ding Liren of China. He emerged winner in the world’s top eight players face- off with 9 out of 14 points.
“So happy and relieved, to have qualified. It was a crazy match. It was very emotionally draining, but after I drew the final match and won – big relief,” said Gukesh speaking to Blitz India. He added that he would give his best for the upcoming final match against Ding (the venue and dates have not yet been decided.
Gukesh also revealed how he had realized his dream that he nurtured as a seven- year- old. “I had watched Anand as a seven- yearold during the World Championships final against Magnus Carlsen in my hometown Chennai in 2014. Ever since, I wanted to play in the final of the World Championships. I can say that I have finally realised my childhood dream, ” he added. In the process, he became the only second Indian after his mentor and idol Viswanathan Anand to qualify for the World Championships final.
Gukesh’s triumph at Toronto is all the more creditable as he was given no chance to win by experts, including five- time world champion Magnus Carlssen. Gukesh’s parents, both doctors, also played a big role in shaping his chess career. He has a very good connect with his father Dr Rajnikanth an ENT specialist. Rajnikanth was present in Toronto to watch his son’s exploits. Mother, Padma a microbiologist provides him with all the emotional support he needs.
It was Gukesh’s first coach at the school, Bhaskar, who realised the immense potential of his ward. He mentored Gukesh to become a FIDE-rated player in just six months—something of a record.
Thereafter , Gukesh went from strength to strength winning amongst others the Asian School Chess Championships (2015). The same year, he won the under-12 title at the World Youth Championships to establish himself as one of the brightest young prospects of the game.
