50 Facts About Gukesh Dommaraju

Early Life and Introduction to Chess

Gukesh Dommaraju, born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India, has been a chess prodigy since he was seven. His journey from a young boy fascinated by the game to becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion is nothing short of remarkable.

1. Gukesh was born to Dr. Rajinikanth, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, and Dr. Padma, a microbiologist.
2. He began learning chess at the Velammal School in Chennai at the age of seven.
3. Gukesh’s first chess coach was Bhaskar V, who noticed his potential during extracurricular activities in Standard 1.
4. Bhaskar introduced Gukesh to Vijayanand, who would become his primary coach.

Training and Early Achievements

Gukesh's training regimen was rigorous and his early achievements set the stage for his future success.

5. Gukesh’s training regimen involved starting his day at 9:30 AM with 70 chess puzzles to solve.
6. His lessons on chess theory and middle-game strategy lasted until 7:30 PM.
7. By the time he was nine, Gukesh had already won several local tournaments.
8. In 2015, Gukesh won the Under-9 section of the Asian School Chess Championships.
9. At the same tournament, Gukesh earned the Candidate Master (CM) title.

Rising Through the Ranks

Gukesh's rise through the ranks of chess was swift and impressive, marked by numerous victories and titles.

10. In 2018, Gukesh dominated the Asian Youth Chess Championships, winning five gold medals.
11. The same year, he captured the Under-12 title at the World Youth Chess Championships with an impressive score of 10/11 points.
12. By March 2017, Gukesh had completed the requirements for the title of International Master (IM) at the 34th Cappelle-la-Grande Open.
13. On January 15, 2019, Gukesh became the second-youngest grandmaster in history by scoring his third Grandmaster (GM) norm at the 17th Delhi International Grandmaster Open.
14. Gukesh achieved this feat after playing in 30 tournaments over a period of 16 months, amounting to 276 games in 13 countries.

Grandmaster and Beyond

Becoming a grandmaster was just the beginning for Gukesh. His achievements continued to pile up as he competed in international tournaments.

15. Although he narrowly missed Sergey Karjakin’s record by 17 days, Gukesh remains one of the youngest grandmasters in history.
16. In July 2022, Gukesh achieved a live rating of 2700, becoming the fourth-youngest player to ever do so.
17. By October 2024, Gukesh entered the FIDE world top-five for the first time.
18. In August 2022, Gukesh played a pivotal role in India’s success at the 44th Chess Olympiad.
19. He initially had a perfect score of 8/8 and finished with 9 out of 11 points, earning an individual gold medal on the first board.

Olympiad Success and Individual Achievements

Gukesh's performance in team events and individual competitions has been nothing short of stellar.

20. His team, India-2, finished third in the tournament, marking a significant achievement for Indian chess.
21. Gukesh’s performance at the Chess Olympiad also earned him an individual gold medal on board one.
22. During the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Gukesh achieved the highest performance rating of 3056 among all players.
23. In September 2024, Gukesh played a crucial role in India’s first-ever team gold medal at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
24. His dominant performance on board one included victories over Wei Yi, Parham Maghsoodloo, and Fabiano Caruana.

Awards and Recognitions

Gukesh's exceptional skills and achievements have earned him numerous awards and recognitions.

25. In 2023, Gukesh was awarded the Player of the Year by the Asian Chess Federation.
26. In 2023, Gukesh won the Junior Speed Chess Championship by defeating IM Emin Ohanyan, GM Pranav V, and GM Raunak Sadhwani.
27. By July 2023, Gukesh crossed the 2750 FIDE rating barrier, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this milestone.
28. In December 2023, Gukesh won the Chennai Masters tournament, which put him in line to reach the 2024 Candidates Tournament.
29. Gukesh entered the 2024 Candidates Tournament as one of the underdogs but emerged victorious, winning the tournament with a score of 9/14.

World Championship Journey

Gukesh's journey to the World Championship was filled with intense competition and historic achievements.

30. By winning the Candidates Tournament, Gukesh became the challenger to the 2024 FIDE World Championship.
31. He faced off against Ding Liren in a 14-game match series in Singapore.
32. At 18 years old, Gukesh became the youngest challenger for the World Championship in history.
33. The World Championship match between Gukesh and Ding Liren was highly anticipated.
34. The final game saw a dramatic turn of events as Ding Liren made a blunder, allowing Gukesh to win the match.

Historic Victory and Legacy

Gukesh's victory marked a new era in chess, making him the youngest-ever World Chess Champion and inspiring countless young players.

35. Gukesh’s victory marked the end of Ding Liren’s reign as World Champion.
36. With this win, Gukesh became the youngest classical World Champion in history.
37. Gukesh described his victory as the best moment of his life.
38. Gukesh’s achievement has garnered international recognition.
39. Gukesh is widely regarded as a chess prodigy.
40. Gukesh’s training regimen has been incredibly rigorous.
41. Gukesh began participating in tournaments at a very young age.
42. Gukesh’s family has been instrumental in supporting his chess career.
43. Gukesh’s coaching team, led by Vijayanand, has played a crucial role in his development.
44. Gukesh’s daily practice of solving 70 chess puzzles has helped him develop exceptional tactical and positional awareness.
45. Gukesh’s extensive study of chess theory and middle-game strategy has equipped him with the knowledge needed to tackle complex positions.
46. Gukesh has participated in numerous international competitions.
47. Gukesh has led his team to victory in several international competitions, including the Asian School Chess Championships.
48. Gukesh’s victory at the World Youth Chess Championships in 2018 marked a significant milestone in his career.
49. Gukesh’s dominance at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in 2018 further solidified his position as one of the top young players in the world.
50. Gukesh’s achievement of becoming the second-youngest grandmaster in history at the Delhi International Grandmaster Open is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.

Gukesh Dommaraju: A Chess Prodigy

Gukesh Dommaraju's rise in the chess world is nothing short of extraordinary. From learning chess at seven to becoming the youngest World Chess Champion, his journey is filled with dedication, hard work, and remarkable achievements. Gukesh's rigorous training, early victories, and international successes highlight his exceptional talent and commitment. His historic win against Ding Liren not only made him the youngest classical World Champion but also inspired countless young chess enthusiasts globally. Gukesh's story is a testament to what can be achieved with passion and perseverance. His legacy will undoubtedly influence the future of chess, encouraging young players to dream big and work hard. Gukesh Dommaraju is not just a chess prodigy; he's a symbol of hope and inspiration for the next generation of chess players.