D Gukesh might be probably the most widespread celebrities in India proper now, resulting from his historic World Chess Championship victory in Singapore. The 18-year-old turned the youngest-ever world chess champion, and India’s second-ever, after none apart from legend Viswanathan Anand.
Vishwanathan Anand throughout India’s D Gukesh’s match in opposition to Ding Liren of China on the FIDE World Championship 2024.(PTI)
Gukesh defeated defending champion Ding Liren in dramatic style, with the championship reaching the decisive 14th sport. It regarded prefer it was going in keeping with the Chinese language grandmaster’s plan, who was attempting to pressure out a tie-breaker. However a large blunder by Liren within the fifty fifth transfer noticed him resign and concede to Gukesh, who failed to manage his feelings.
Gukesh certified for the title showdown after profitable the Candidates Match in April, the place he wasn’t the pre-favourite, and was anticipated to complete backside of the pack. Apart from being a baby prodigy and now a world champion, Gukesh additionally has a robust crew to depend on, which additionally contains his father.
How did Viswanathan Anand assist D Gukesh?
In the meantime, he additionally obtained mentorship and coaching from the face of Indian chess, Anand. In 2020, it was introduced that the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy, which had been created, could be offering a fellowship to Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Raunak Sadhwani and Vaishali. The fellowship additionally noticed them obtain private mentoring from Anand.
In an interview with India At present, Gukesh hailed Anand’s impression on his profession, and revealed that the chess legend had ‘personally’ helped him in getting his chief coach Grzegorz Gajewski ‘to work exclusively’ with him.
He mentioned, “Since the start, he has been a god figure and a huge inspiration. Since WACA (Westbridge Anand Chess Academy), we have been training together regularly. He was always there to analyse games, get on a call to discuss something. We can’t thank Vishy Sir enough for the time he has given to the next generation. He helped me personally in getting Gayu (Polish GM Grzegorz Gajewski) to work exclusively as my coach.”
Since Gukesh’s victory, Gajewski has been lauded for his position as Gukesh’s chief coach, and the Polish grandmaster has additionally obtained public recognition from Indian chess followers. Gukesh and his crew determined to skip the year-ending Fast and Blitz Championship, and the Indian chess star will return to motion subsequent yr. In 2025, he’s set to face the likes of Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen.