Early Life and Beginnings
D. Gukesh Dommaraju was born on 29 May 2006 in Chennai to Telugu-Indian parents. His father is an ENT surgeon and his mother a microbiologist, and both made great sacrifices to support his chess talent. Gukesh learned to play at age seven – his school introduced him to the game – and within months was rated by FIDE. By age nine he had already won the Asian under-9 championship. Realizing his potential, he soon switched to intensive chess training. He dropped out of regular school after fourth grade to focus on chess, and in 2017 his father quit his job to travel with him to tournaments. Gukesh later recalled that as a child he witnessed Magnus Carlsen’s 2013 World Championship match (Anand–Carlsen) in Chennai – “it was something huge” in his hometown – an early inspiration for the young talent.
Rapid Rise and Grandmaster Title
Gukesh’s progress was extraordinary. He became an International Master at 11, and on 15 January 2019, at just 12 years 7 months, he earned the Grandmaster title. At the time this made him the second-youngest GM ever, behind only Sergey Karjakin. (He is now the third-youngest in history to achieve GM status.) As a youth he dominated his age group: in 2018 he won the World Under-12 Championship and five gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championships. Not long after becoming a GM, he continued to break records: by 2022 he had crossed the 2700 Elo rating mark (at age 16) and in August 2023 became the youngest ever to pass 2750. In September 2023 Gukesh officially became India’s top-ranked player, ending Viswanathan Anand’s 37-year reign at No. 1. Every milestone – from youngest GM to highest-rated Indian – underscored his meteoric rise.
Top-Level Triumphs
Gukesh has collected major titles and medals in team and individual events. He led India to historic success at the Chess Olympiads: at the 44th Olympiad (Chennai, 2022) he scored 9/11 on board one to win individual gold, helping India’s B team earn bronze. In 2024 he anchored India’s first-ever Olympiad team gold, remaining undefeated with 9 wins and 1 draw on top board, and took a second straight individual gold. He also helped India win silver in the 2022 Asian Games team event.
At elite tournaments he continued to shine. In October 2022, Gukesh recorded his first classical win over reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen – becoming the youngest player ever to beat Carlsen in a classical game. In July 2023 he qualified for the 2024 Candidates Tournament (by winning the FIDE Circuit spot) as one of the three youngest ever to do so. There, in April 2024, 17-year-old Gukesh won the Candidates, the qualifier to challenge for the World Championship.
He scored +5−1=8 (9 points) to claim first place – the youngest-ever winner of a Candidates event. In doing so he became the first Indian since Anand (2014) to win the Candidates and will face Ding Liren for the world title. In fact, in 2024 Gukesh “became the youngest winner of the Candidates Tournament” and then defeated Ding later that year to become the 18th World Chess Champion at age 18, setting a new record as the youngest undisputed world champion in history.
Gukesh Dommaraju Playing Style and Strengths
Gukesh is known for a classical yet dynamic style. Grandmaster Daniel King describes him as “prodigious”, mature and level-headed, with a “classical approach to chess”. He combines strategic depth and endgame precision with a fearless tactical flair. Observers note that Gukesh “demonstrated exceptional skill and maturity” at top events, calmly exploiting opponents’ small mistakes. One commentator praised his play in a critical game: “He was not worse for a second in this game,” said GM Robert Hess, highlighting how solidly Gukesh handles the position. At the same time, Gukesh is willing to enter highly complex lines.
For example, in the final round of the 2024 Candidates he played an unusual pawn break 11…b4 that even Magnus Carlsen had not seen; Carlsen remarked in admiration “I love what Gukesh has done. I didn’t even think about [b4]… I don’t think I’ve seen it before”. Hikaru Nakamura likewise called that move “an excellent move,” noting that after it he “never really had any opportunities”. In practical terms, Gukesh often chooses ambitious, aggressive lines – even inventing fresh ideas – but underpinned by deep calculation and tenacity.
He has shown great prowess in grindy endgames as well, exemplified by his famous long endgame win against China in the 2024 Olympiad, which commentators cited as evidence of his patience and depth. In sum, Gukesh’s blend of “sharp calculations” and composure has earned him respect as a high-pressure player who can outwit the world’s best.
Impact on Indian Chess and Youth Inspiration
Gukesh’s success has electrified the Indian chess community and inspired a new generation of players. His rise – alongside peers like Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi – has led observers to call this era a “new wave” of Indian chess. After Gukesh’s 2024 world championship triumph, the media nationwide celebrated what one called “a significant milestone… a triumph not just for him but for the entire nation”. Young Indians report that Gukesh’s win has motivated them to take up the game: “I wasn’t into chess before, but seeing Gukesh’s victory inspired me and my friends,” said one. “His win is going to motivate kids to learn chess… It will make them feel proud that an Indian can achieve something like this and encourage them to compete,” said another.
In short, Gukesh has “sparked a wave of enthusiasm among young Indians,” with many newly trying chess because of him. His ascent also underscores the strength of India’s training ecosystem: Anand’s Westbridge Academy (WACA) and other programs took promising talents like Gukesh under their wing. Now hailed as a “torchbearer” for Indian chess, Gukesh’s achievements have drawn support from sponsors and government alike, and have elevated chess’s stature in India’s sporting landscape.
Praise from Experts
World-class chess figures have taken note of Gukesh’s talent. Former World Champion and countryman Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh’s mentor, calls him a “deserving world champion” for his outstanding preparation and attitude. After Gukesh’s title win, Anand also highlighted Gukesh’s perseverance and fighting spirit, noting that his competitor Ding seemed a bit hesitant while Gukesh “kept trying every day to get a win”.
Current World Champion Ding Liren himself acknowledged Gukesh’s challenge: India Today reported that Ding praised Gukesh’s form and higher rating, saying Gukesh is a “favourite for the title”. Magnus Carlsen – five-time world champion – has complimented Gukesh’s creativity on the board, as noted above when Carlsen tweeted admiration for Gukesh’s novel pawn move. Prominent commentators have been equally impressed: GM Robert Hess lauded Gukesh’s championship-qualifying game as essentially flawless. In the 2022 Olympiad, FIDE even described Gukesh’s debut performance as “one of the most sensational in the history of the Olympiad” after he began 8/8.
Chess legend Garry Kasparov (himself once the youngest world champion) has observed that Gukesh’s style blends the attacking flair of Kasparov with the deep positional understanding of top modern players. In short, experts worldwide have praised Gukesh’s maturity, creativity and fighting spirit – and many see “the sky [as] the limit” for the 18-year-old prodigy.
Gukesh Dommaraju’s journey – from a seven-year-old schoolboy in Chennai to world champion by 18 – is remarkable. With each win he has not only shattered age records, but also inspired countless young Indians to dream big in chess. As one commentator put it, “the sky is the limit” for Gukesh. In an era that India hopes will produce more champions, Gukesh’s story stands as both a beacon of national pride and a model of what talent, hard work and support can achieve on the world stage.
Article by Shaloo Singh