Gukesh D: From Dropping Full-Time School To No Sponsor - The Bumpy Road To Become World Champion

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India's teenage prodigy, Gukesh D, made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion. The 18-year-old triumphed over China's Ding Liren, the reigning champion, in a gripping 14th and final game of the championship.

Gukesh clinched the title by reaching 7.5 points, edging past Liren's 6.5. The decisive victory came in the last classical time control game, which had initially appeared to be heading for a draw.

At just seven years old, Gukesh dreamed of becoming a world chess champion. While his parents, Rajinikanth and Padma Kumari, supported his aspirations, they couldn't have imagined that he would go onto become the youngest-ever World Champion.

Early Beginnings and Parental Support

Gukesh's chess journey started at the age of seven, with just an hour of lessons three times a week. Inspired by Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh's passion for the game grew rapidly. While his parents believed in his potential, they could never have imagined that their son would reach such dizzying heights so quickly. However, his parents' sacrifices, both professional and personal, played a crucial role in his success.

Sacrifices and Struggles Along the Way

In 2017-18, Gukesh's father, Rajinikanth, made the difficult decision to leave his respected career as an ENT surgeon in order to accompany his son on travels worldwide in search of the final GM norm. The family traveled on a tight budget, and during this time, his mother, Padma Kumari, took on the primary responsibility of supporting the household financially. These sacrifices were made with a clear vision: to give Gukesh the best chance at realizing his dreams.

A Steady Rise Through the Ranks

Gukesh's determination and talent saw him achieve several milestones at a young age. His early successes included winning the Under-9 Asian School Championship and the Under-12 World Youth Chess Championship in 2018. In 2017, Gukesh became an International Master after a standout performance in Cannes, France. By 2019, he became the second-youngest Grandmaster in history, a record that was later broken by Abhimanyu Mishra.

Overcoming Financial Challenges

Despite his success on the chessboard, Gukesh faced major financial hurdles. With no sponsors to support his journey, Gukesh relied on prize money and the funding efforts of his parents. His family's sacrifices were crucial in allowing him to continue chasing his dreams, even when the path ahead seemed uncertain.

A Bold Decision to Prioritize Chess

Gukesh's passion for chess prompted his parents to make a bold decision: to withdraw him from full-time schooling after Class IV. This decision allowed Gukesh to dedicate himself fully to his game, accelerating his progress and bringing him closer to his goals.

Surpassing Anand and Finding Mentorship

As Gukesh's career progressed, he made history by surpassing his idol, Viswanathan Anand, to become India's No. 1 chess player last year. In a twist of fate, it was the 55-year-old himself who mentored Gukesh at the Westbridge-Anand Chess Academy, which was established during the pandemic in 2020.