NEW DELHI: Chess world champion D Gukesh on Thursday vowed to deliver his best on the 64 squares after being chosen for the prestigious 'Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna' award by the government.
Gukesh recently made history by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion after defeating China's Ding Liren. He is the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to claim this prestigious title.
"Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, I am truly grateful and feel humbled to receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Your words and guidance have always inspired me to strive for excellence and make the nation proud," Gukesh wrote on X.
"I promise to continue delivering my best moves on 64 squares and outside of it. Thank you Hon. Sports Minister @mansukhmandviya Ji for your constant support."
Gukesh was conferred with the country’s highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna, alongside shooter Manu Bhaker, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar.
The Chennai-based chess prodigy emerged as a challenger for the world title after clinching the Candidates Tournament in 2023 at the age of 17.
He also achieved the remarkable feat of becoming India’s top-ranked chess player last year, ending Viswanathan Anand's 37-year reign.
