Gukesh gets rousing welcome

His history-scripting world title win was not just a result of good strategy on the chess board, said Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh, crediting mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton for helping him tame the “emotional pressure” of competing at the biggest stage.

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The 18-year-old Gukesh, who defeated China’s Ding Liren to become the youngest ever owner of the world title, arrived here on Monday to a rousing welcome from enthusiastic fans and officials.

“In a World Championship, it’s not only about chess. There is a lot of mental and emotional pressure to deal with. Paddy’s teachings helped me in that regard,” Gukesh said in a press meet organised by Velammal Vidyalaya, his childhood school. “The suggestions and the conversations I have had with him have been very important for me and my development as a player,” he said.

Gukesh is only the second Indian after the great Viswanathan Anand to claim the world title. Anand played a pivotal role in shaping the teenager at his academy here.

Accidental chess player

Gukesh’s father Dr Rajnikanth, who is an ENT surgeon by profession, said he encouraged his son to join chess sessions at his school as a hobby.

“We did not plan to make him a chess player, but enrolled him in the school chess class as part of the extra-curricular activity. But we supported him once he showed interest and worked hard. As parents, we tried to give him as much exposure as possible. That’s what I can suggest to other parents as well,” he said.

Rajnikanth said Gukesh likes to continuously play in tournaments to ensure that he always remains in touch with the sport. “Some players play tournaments once in two months — one month preparation and next month playing in tournaments. As far as he (Gukesh) is concerned, games are his practice. He learns from his losses and wins. If I don’t give him a tournament for a month, he becomes restless. That’s his choice,” he said.

Carlsen-Gukesh showdown to headline Norway chess

Stavanger (Norway): The youngest-ever world champion, Gukesh D, will take on Magnus Carlsen, the world’s highest-rated player, in a highly-anticipated contest at next year’s Norway Chess. The tournament will take place in Stavanger from May 26 to June 6. Gukesh, 18, has achieved remarkable success this year, winning the Tata Steel Masters, leading India to gold at the Chess Olympiad, dominating the Candidates Tournament and finally claiming the ultimate prize in classical chess: the World Championship title in Singapore last week. “I’m excited to face the strongest players in the world again in Norway and also the Armageddons will be fun,” Gukesh said.