He is an unpredictable force on the chess board – creative, aggressive and balanced in equal measure. Experts say he is versatile with his game which allows him to adapt to the styles of opponents quickly and devise solutions to new situations. In a game where thinking on the go separates better players from good ones, Gukesh Dommaraju, the youngest world champion, excels.
Hungarian grandmaster Judit Polgar terms Gukesh as ‘dynamic and fearless ‘. These traits were in ample evidence in the 2024 World Chess Championship. He was a combination of aggressive tactics and daring plays all through. He is reputed to be disruptive of conventional strategies in his approach and good at capitalising on scope created by his surprise moves. Also, he has the quality of perseverance. Defending champion Ding Liren had plans to settle for a draw but Gukesh was relentless at reaching a result. Liren made the critical mistake in move number 55 and the latter was quick to pounce on it.
Among the trio of Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh, all young prodigies and aggressive players, Gukesh is rated by chess aficionados as the most risk-taking. He is most likely to win more games and lose them too. He is the one expected most to spring a surprise on the toughest of opponents. The others are more solid in their overall approach but he is brilliant at positional play and endgame nuances. He thrives in dynamic, unbalanced positions where creativity and calculation are paramount. His willingness to take calculated risks often puts his opponents under immense pressure, forcing them to defend accurately or succumb to his relentless attacks. His unconventional opening ideas, which he employs often, also carry the element of surprise.
Born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Gukesh was introduced to chess by his father, Dr. Rajinikanth Dommaraju, and mother, Dr. Padma. His early fascination with the game quickly turned into an obsession, as he displayed an uncanny ability to grasp complex concepts and outwit opponents far older than him. By the age of seven, he was already a master of age-based tournaments. He competed with prize pool tournaments under the guidance of renowned coaches such as Vishnu Prasanna. He was soon dominating tournaments, signaling the arrival of a star.
In 2019, Gukesh entered the history books by earning the Grandmaster title, narrowly missing out on the record for the youngest-ever Grandmaster by just 17 days. However, his achievement was no less significant, as it highlighted his immense potential.
He wants to be the best chess player in the world. It’s a legitimate ambition from a talent like him. “Players like Magnus Carlsen keep motivating me…My next goal is to be the best chess player in the world. Players like Magnus (Carlsen) keep motivating me to work harder. I know I’m young and still have a very long career. Hopefully, I will continue enjoying chess and become the best player in the world,” he said in an interview. Interestingly, in 2022, he had stunned the chess world by defeating Magnus Carlsen in a rapid game.
It can only be good news for Indian chess. With players like Arjun and Praggnanandhaa around we are set for glorious times. Dominance in the global stage is a matter of time.
(By arrangements with Perspective Bytes)
