The buzz at Chennai International Airport reached a fever pitch in the early hours of April 25th as 17-year-old D. Gukesh, fresh off his triumph at the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto, made his grand return. A throng of media personnel, students donning masks resembling the teenage prodigy, teachers from Gukesh’s alma mater Velammal, chess officials, and members of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu eagerly awaited the arrival of the chess sensation.
Despite enduring an exhaustive 18-hour flight from Toronto to Chennai, with a layover in Dubai, Gukesh remained remarkably composed amidst the frenzy. Looking ahead to his upcoming clash with Chinese opponent Ding Liren at the World Championship, Gukesh exuded confidence. “Naturally, I didn’t get much time to think and discuss it. Yeah, we have played a few rapid games and some classical. Obviously, he’s a very strong player, quite universal. It will surely be exciting to play. But I think I’m ready for the challenge,” he expressed to The Hindu shortly after touching down.
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Prepared for the Ultimate Challenge
Gukesh conveyed his neutrality regarding the venue for the forthcoming World Championship slated for November-December. “I’m fine with playing anywhere. Obviously, it’ll be nice to play at home (Chennai). Wherever I play, the goal is to be focused and win the match,” he asserted. With just six months to prepare for the prestigious event, Gukesh wasted no time in formulating his strategy. “There are already some tournaments I’ve decided to play. Mainly the Grand Chess Tour, which is a tour of five events. I’ll be in Warsaw, Poland in a couple of weeks,” he disclosed.
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Gukesh’s Triumph Amidst Adversity
Gukesh’s victory at the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament was no mean feat, especially given the formidable competition from seasoned players like Fabio Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Hikaru Nakamura. Despite facing adversity, including a defeat to Iran’s Alireza Firouja in the seventh round, Gukesh’s resilience shone through. “It was quite a painful loss for sure. But soon after that, I recovered. The next day was a rest day. I fortunately was in very good spirits. Even after the loss, I thought I had every chance to win this event,” he recounted.
According to Gukesh, victory and defeat are fleeting experiences, with neither lingering for long. “Win or defeat stays–they generally say, but it’s never been the case for me. I generally managed to recover whatever the result,” he remarked.
Unwavering Focus and Supportive Team
Gukesh attributed his success to unwavering focus and disciplined routines throughout the tournament. “I think the focus that I had and the kind of discipline I went throughout the three weeks. I had specific routines. I was very strict and made no compromises. I think that was very important,” he emphasized. Additionally, Gukesh acknowledged the invaluable support of his coach, Vishnu Prasanna, and sponsors such as WestBridge Capital and WACA (WestBridge Anand Chess Academy).
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As Gukesh gears up for the World Championship, he hopes his victory serves as inspiration for aspiring chess players worldwide. “Winning Candidates is, of course, very special. I hope a lot of people get inspired by it and take up chess. Many kids will get into the game. The general popularity and respect for chess will grow,” he remarked gratefully, paying tribute to five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand for his unwavering support and mentorship.