D Gukesh from Chennai is now the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to be a contender for world championship; this means Gukesh will play for the World Chess Championship as the youngest challenger in history.
"So relieved and so happy. I was following this crazy game (between Fabio Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi), and then I went for a walk with my second (Gregorz Gazevsky), I think that helped," Gukesh told news agency PTI after winning. He won a cash award of 88,500 Euros (approx Rs 78.5 lakh) in the match in which he played out an easy draw with American Hikaru Nakamura.
In the World Championship, Gukesh will contest against reigning world champion Ding Liren of China; the match is expected to be held in the last quarter of the year.
"Congratulations to @DGukesh for becoming the youngest challenger. The @WacaChess family is so proud of what you have done . I'm personally very proud of how you played and handled tough situations. Enjoy the moment," Anand posted on 'X' (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the teenager.
My goal is to become world's best
In an interview with world chess federation or FIDE, Gukesh said his ultimate goal has always been to become the best player in the world. "I just try to enjoy the process and keep improving day by day.
"It's something that I got multiple times but one thing that I always try to remember is to never be content with what I have achieved, and you know it's a long, long journey. Each day I have to keep improving and enjoying the process," the young chess player had talked about his success manta.
Gukesh was born on May 29, 2006 at Chennai. He earned Grandmaster title in 2019. Born into a Telugu speaking family, Gukesh is the son of Dr. Rajnikanth an ear, nose and throat surgeon and Padma, who is a microbiologist by profession. He is currently a student of Velammal Vidyalaya school, Mel Ayanambakkam, Chennai.
The Velammal Education Trust has given 9 grandmasters to the country so far, as per a report. Adhiban, Sethuraman, Shyam Sundar, K. Priyadharshan, Karthik VAP, Karthikeyan Murali, Aravindh Chithambaram, Praggnanandhaa and D. Gukesh have studied in Velammal school. The school was established in 1986 in Mugappair, Chennai and currently boasts of 56 branches in Chennai, Vellore, Karur, Theni and Madurai.
Gukesh started playing chess at the age of 7.
