At just 18, Gukesh Dommaraju etched his name into history by becoming the youngest chess world champion, dethroning China’s Ding Liren in a marathon 14-game series that had fans worldwide on the edge of their seats. The Indian Grandmaster secured a nerve-wracking win in the final classical time-control game, earning the crucial 7.5 points to Ding’s 6.5, as per The Hindu.
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The victory didn’t just mark Gukesh’s rise to the pinnacle of chess but also made him the second Indian ever, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to claim the prestigious crown. Yet, behind this moment of glory lies a story of relentless hard work, unimaginable sacrifice, and the power of a family’s unwavering belief.
For Gukesh, chess wasn’t just a game – it was a dream nurtured since he was seven. But as every chess lover knows, making it to the top isn’t a solo mission – it takes a village. And for Gukesh, that village was his parents.
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His father, Rajinikanth, was a well-respected ENT surgeon, and his mother, Padma Kumari, a microbiologist. But when they realized the extent of their son’s potential, they made the boldest moves of their lives.
Rajinikanth quit his flourishing practice in 2017-18 to travel with Gukesh across the globe, reported Hindustan Times. Meanwhile, Padma became the family’s sole breadwinner, managing household expenses while her son chased his dreams on a shoestring budget.
“We were not a very well-off family, so they had to face a lot of financial struggles. But I did not realise it at that time. At some point in 2017 and 2018, we were running so low on money that my parents’ friends sponsored me. My parents had to make many lifestyle changes just for me to play tournaments. They made the most sacrifices,” Gukesh said.
Gukesh’s journey began in 2013 with one-hour lessons, three times a week. By the time he turned nine, he was clinching gold medals at the Asian School Championships. His real breakthrough came in 2017 when he earned the International Master title in Cannes, France.
But his family knew that to truly shine, chess needed to be more than a hobby. So, they made another unconventional decision – Gukesh would stop attending school full-time after Class IV. Instead, he poured all his energy into the game, sharpening his skills.
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In 2019, Gukesh made headlines by becoming the second-youngest Grandmaster in history at the time. Despite the accolades, financial struggles persisted. Without a sponsor, Gukesh relied on prize money and crowdfunding initiatives organized by his parents.
But Gukesh didn’t let the lack of resources deter him. He continued ticking off milestone after milestone. By last year, he had overtaken his idol, Viswanathan Anand, as India’s no.1 player.
As he celebrated his historic win, Gukesh reflected on the journey that brought him here.
“This was my dream, but it was probably bigger for my parents. This win is as much theirs as it is mine.”
Take a bow, champ!