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Gukesh Dommaraju: The Chess Prodigy

Gukesh Dommaraju
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Gukesh Dommaraju, popularly known as Gukesh D, is a name that has become synonymous with brilliance in the world of chess. Born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, this Indian chess prodigy has achieved extraordinary feats at a young age. From becoming the third-youngest Grandmaster in history to being the youngest contender for the World Chess Championship in 2024, Gukesh’s meteoric rise is a testament to his unparalleled talent and dedication. This article delves deep into the life, achievements, and legacy of this young chess sensation.


Key Information About Gukesh Dommaraju

AttributeDetails
Full NameGukesh Dommaraju
NicknameGukesh D
Date of BirthMay 29, 2006
BirthplaceChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
ParentsDr. Rajinikanth (ENT Surgeon), Dr. Padma (Microbiologist)
SiblingsNone
Marital StatusUnmarried
Height5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
WeightApproximately 58 kg
EducationVelammal Vidyalaya, Mel Ayanambakkam School
ProfessionProfessional Chess Player
Net Worth (2024)₹8.26 Crores (approx. $1.5 Million)
Major AchievementsYoungest FIDE Candidates Tournament Winner (2024), Multiple Olympiad Medals
Current World RankingTop 5

Early Life and Childhood

Born into a Telugu family in Chennai, Gukesh grew up in an academically inclined household. His father, Dr. Rajinikanth, is an ENT surgeon, while his mother, Dr. Padma, is a microbiologist. Despite their demanding professions, his parents played a pivotal role in nurturing his talent.

Gukesh was introduced to chess at the age of seven—a relatively late start compared to other prodigies. His school coach, Bhaskar V., noticed his potential and began training him rigorously. Within six months of learning the game, Gukesh achieved his first FIDE rating of 1291.

His parents supported his passion wholeheartedly. His father even left his medical career to accompany him to tournaments and manage his social media presence. This unwavering support laid the foundation for Gukesh’s remarkable journey.


Education and Early Training

Gukesh attended Velammal Vidyalaya in Chennai, a school known for producing chess talents like Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram. However, his growing commitment to chess led him to drop out after Class 4 to focus entirely on the game.

Under the mentorship of coaches like Bhaskar V., Vishnu Prasanna, and later Viswanathan Anand through the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), Gukesh honed his skills. His training regimen included solving up to 70 puzzles daily and playing hundreds of games annually.


Professional Achievements

Grandmaster Title

Gukesh earned the Grandmaster title on January 15, 2019, at just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days old—making him the third-youngest Grandmaster in history. The journey to this milestone was intense; he played over 230 games across multiple countries within two years.

Breaking Records

  • In July 2022: Became the fourth-youngest player to cross a live rating of 2700.
  • In September 2023: Surpassed Viswanathan Anand as India’s top-rated player after Anand’s 37-year reign.
  • In April 2024: Won the FIDE Candidates Tournament at age 17, becoming the youngest-ever winner.

Olympiad Success

Gukesh has been a standout performer at Chess Olympiads:

  • 2022: Individual gold medal on Board One with a performance rating of 2867.
  • 2024: Led India to its first team gold medal while clinching another individual gold.

World Chess Championship

In November-December 2024, Gukesh faced reigning champion Ding Liren in Singapore for the World Chess Championship title. As of December 8th, the match remains tied at five points each.


Awards and Recognitions

  • Gold medals at World Youth Chess Championships (2018) and Asian Youth Championships.
  • Winner of prestigious tournaments like Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour (2021) and Aimchess Rapid (2022).
  • Awarded by Indian government bodies for his contributions to sports.

Chronological Timeline of Life Events

  1. 2006: Born in Chennai.
  2. 2013: Began playing chess at age seven.
  3. 2018: Won five gold medals at Asian Youth Chess Championships.
  4. 2019: Became Grandmaster at age 12.
  5. 2022: Crossed live rating of 2700; won individual gold at Olympiad.
  6. 2023: Became India’s top-rated player; won FIDE Circuit.
  7. 2024: Youngest-ever winner of FIDE Candidates Tournament; competed in World Chess Championship.

Cultural and Social Background

Gukesh hails from a Telugu-speaking family with strong academic roots. His parents instilled discipline and perseverance in him from an early age. Despite his fame, Gukesh remains grounded and credits his success to his family’s sacrifices.


Relationships

Gukesh is currently focused on his career and has not been linked romantically with anyone publicly.


Hobbies and Interests

Apart from chess:

  • Enjoys reading books on strategy.
  • Interested in music as a form of relaxation.
  • Loves traveling for tournaments and exploring new cultures.

Quotes and Anecdotes

  1. “Chess teaches you patience—something I apply both on and off the board.”
  2. “My parents are my biggest inspiration; they’ve sacrificed so much for me.”
  3. “Every loss is a lesson; every win is motivation.”

Did You Know?

  1. Gukesh became a FIDE-rated player within six months of learning chess.
  2. He narrowly missed Sergey Karjakin’s record for youngest Grandmaster by just 17 days.
  3. He plays over 200 games annually across international tournaments.
  4. He defeated Magnus Carlsen in Aimchess Rapid (2022), becoming one of the youngest players to do so.
  5. His father left his medical career to support him full-time.
  6. Gukesh surpassed Viswanathan Anand’s rating record at just 17 years old.
  7. He trains under legends like Viswanathan Anand through WACA.
  8. He prefers classical chess over rapid formats due to its depth.
  9. He has won over ₹8 crores in prize money by age 18.
  10. If he wins against Ding Liren in December 2024, he will be the youngest Classical World Champion ever.

Legacy and Future Prospects

At just 18 years old, Gukesh Dommaraju has already etched his name among chess greats like Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. With an unwavering focus on improvement and an exceptional support system behind him, Gukesh is poised to dominate global chess for years to come.

References

  1. Gukesh Dommaraju – Wikipedia
  2. Who is Gukesh Dommaraju? Meet the 18-year-old taking on Chess – YourStory
  3. Dommaraju Gukesh – Grandmaster Profile – My Chess Sets
  4. Gukesh D Age, Family, Biography – StarsUnfolded
  5. Gukesh Dommaraju: The Youngest Challenger to the World Chess Championship – Chessbase India
  6. The Rise of Gukesh D: India’s Youngest Chess Superstar – Sportskeeda
  7. How Gukesh Became a Grandmaster at 12: A Remarkable Journey – Firstpost
  8. India’s Chess Prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju: A Career in the Making – Scroll.in
  9. The Future of Chess: Gukesh Dommaraju’s Incredible Journey – The Hindu
  10. Inspiring Story of Gukesh D | Kingdom of Chess
  11. Gukesh D Interview: On His Path to Becoming a World Champion – Hindustan Times
  12. Gukesh D chess games – 365Chess.com
  13. Who is D Gukesh? Youngest Contender in the 2024 World Chess Championship – Jagran Josh

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