Indian chess would not have been here without Vishy sir: Gukesh

The composure with which Dommaraju Gukesh handles his stardom can be a template for many. The euphoria over the youngest world chess champion (at 18) is yet to fully die down, but the Chennai lad has surely moved on, as was evident during an interaction at the Tata Steel Trailblazers Conclave 3.0 in Kolkata on Friday.

“There is still a long way to go for me before I can be compared with someone like Magnus (Carlsen),’’ Gukesh said. ‘’As I said before, I may have become the FIDE world champion but right now I'm no. 3 in live rankings. I also need to improve my game in Rapid and Blitz and now, Freestyle has also started and there is room for improvement,’’ the level-headed chess ace said.

How has life changed for him ever since Gukesh held off reigning world champion Ding Liren in Singapore last November? ‘’I had been experiencing it for the last couple of years but there has been too much attention since the world title happened. Much as I would like to oblige everyone, there are occasions when I cannot say yes,’’ he said in reply to a question.

On handling success or conducting oneself with poise, Gukesh named a rather surprising role model apart from his idol and mentor Vishy Anand — Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The talismanic Chennai Super Kings and former India captain is already in Chennai to prepare for the IPL 2025 season and the fanboy in Gukesh said: ‘’He is the person whom I have looked up to on how to conduct oneself during competitions or handle success, apart from Anand sir. I am yet to meet (Dhoni) personally, though there was once an opportunity, but my flight got delayed – surely, it will happen at some point.’’  

The role of five-time world champion Anand in inspiring the chess revolution in India is well documented, but it was fascinating to hear it from one of its biggest beneficiaries.

‘’A turning point in my career came when during the pandemic in 2021, Anand sir contacted us to join WACA (Westbridge Anand Chess Academy). Without him, none of this growth would have happened as he was the inspiration for three to four generation of players. It was also a big occasion in Chennai when he played Magnus for the world title match in 2013 and I remember it as a kid,’’ Gukesh said. 

While Gukesh hit jackpot, the period from 2022-24 has been a watershed moment for the sport overall in India. The Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022 saw Gukesh offer a glimpse of his credentials, while an unprecedented number of five players (three in Open and two women) qualified for the Candidates chess in Canada last year.

‘’Given the number of Indian players occupying the top rankings and the healthy rivalry among us, one can say that the current decade belongs to Indian chess,’’ said Gukesh, who had a big hand in the Indian men landing the Chess Olympiad gold last year. There is a distinct possibility that it could be an all-Indian World Championship match next time with R. Praggnanandhaa hitting form by winning the Tata Steel Chess and the likes of Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi in the hunt as well.

Asked how he balances friendship and competitiveness with the likes of a Pragg or Arjun, Gukesh was candid enough to admit that he was not very close friends with them. ‘’We know each other for a long time but can’t really say we are very close. I wish them well, but am more concerned with my own competitions,’’ he signed off.