CHESS WORLD HAILS GUKESH’S HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT

 CHESS WORLD HAILS GUKESH’S HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT

A triumphant journey where ‘Chow mein’ gave way to ‘Sambhar’

Our own Telugu Bidda, Gukesh Dommaraju recently, besides the country India, made all the Telugu people of the twin states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh proud with his crowning glory for becoming the reigning champion of the recently concluded World Chess Championship 2024.

Born to parents, Dr. Rajanikanth, an ENT surgeon, and Padma, a microbiologist, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, is a chess prodigy who has rapidly ascended to the stage of global chess rankings. He began playing chess at the tender age of seven, displaying remarkable talent from an early age. In 2019, at just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days old, he became the third-youngest Grandmaster in the anal of Chess history.

At only 18 years and 6 months, on 12 December 2024, Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion surpassing former champion Garry Kasparov's previous record. He achieved this milestone by defeating reigning champion Ding Liren with a final score of 7.5 to 6.5 in a match held in Singapore.

Earlier in 2024, Gukesh won the FIDE Candidates Tournament with a score of 9/14, becoming the youngest-ever tournament winner and earning the right to challenge for the World Championship. He entered the Chess Hall of Fame with a calm demeanor that belied the stakes at his hand. During the final assault, he adjusted his shirt collar twice as if to shrug off some mild flourish, a la Pawan Kalyan, he exuded a brave face with quiet confidence.

Gukesh’s strategy of ensuring relentless pressure throughout the tenure of the match, coupled with his ability to capitalize on Ding’s momentary lapse of concentration, proved to be the winning formula, later. With a decisive score of 7.5-6.5, Gukesh dethroned Ding Liren and became the 18th World Chess Champion.

As his father paced outside nervously during the final fight, the world held its breadth right. And when the final move was played, Gukesh’s calm composer finally cracked into a radiant smile. Gukesh’s triumph over the reigning champion Ding Liren in a dramatic 14th game wasn’t just a victory for him but a celebration of the sacrifices his family made in support of his dream as well.

With eyes closed and murmuring a mantra in silence under his whispering breadth, the beaming 18-year-old was reading himself to plunge into history as the giant killer. And four hours later, the world watched in awe as Gukesh became the youngest World Chess Champion, outpacing Garry Kasparov’s record by four years.

“The dream for this moment for ten years to see it come true is indescribable,” he said after the victory when his voice was chocked almost quivering in emotion. His eyes glistened as he embraced his parents in joy, the two people who sacrificed the most for his success. The journey to the pinnacle of chess glory was anything but smooth for this lanky teenager from Chennai.

His exceptional calculating abilities and composure characterize Gukesh's playing style under pressure, which leads to complex tactical battles. His achievements have been celebrated worldwide, marking a significant milestone for Indian chess and inspiring a new generation of players. It is good to note that India’s bench strength of chess GMs is highly formidable at the moment.

By Prof. (Dr.) Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya

(The writer is a Hyderabad-based distinguished freelance author, journo, speaker, leadership coach, and Emeritus Professor of Management Studies)