The exceptional journey of D. Gukesh, topped champion on the current World Chess Championship, has drawn admiration worldwide. His triumph not solely highlights his extraordinary expertise but additionally sheds gentle on the unwavering help and sacrifices of his dad and mom, Padma Kumari and Rajnikanth. In an interview with ChessBase India, Gukesh’s mom shared insights into their unconventional selections and her son’s relentless drive to excel in chess.
Gukesh’s dad and mom sacrificed education for his chess, guiding him to World Championship success.(PTI)
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‘Large threat to cease sending him to highschool,’ says Padma Kumari
Padma Kumari revealed the daring determination she and her husband made to halt Gukesh’s formal schooling after the fifth grade to focus completely on his chess profession.
“There were countless moments when we doubted ourselves,” she admitted. “Whenever he didn’t perform well in tournaments, we would question if we had made the right choice. He was just a child, and the responsibility of shaping his future weighed heavily on us.”
Regardless of the challenges, their conviction in Gukesh’s potential saved them steadfast. “We never doubted Gukesh’s abilities, but the decision to prioritise chess over school was tested time and again.”
Father’s affect: The ‘by no means surrender’ spirit
Gukesh’s resilience and dedication have been deeply influenced by his father, Rajnikanth. Padma shared how her husband’s agency stance on ending what one begins grew to become a cornerstone of Gukesh’s character.
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“When he was younger, if a tournament didn’t go well, Gukesh would want to withdraw,” she mentioned. “But his father insisted, ‘You have to finish the tournament and fight till the end.'”
Though these classes have been troublesome for the younger Gukesh to grasp on the time, they grew to become invaluable as he matured. “Today, he acknowledges that this ‘never give up’ attitude is one of the most important values his father instilled in him,” Padma added.
Gukesh on the sacrifices behind his triumph
Reflecting on his journey, Gukesh expressed heartfelt gratitude in the direction of his dad and mom. “I have been dreaming of this moment since I started playing chess at seven, but the dream was probably bigger for my parents than for me,” he mentioned.
He emphasised the position of their sacrifices, including, “The most sacrifices are made by my parents, my family, and my friends. Their support means everything to me.”