Singapore, Dec 15: The title of “multi-millionaire” holds significant meaning for the newly crowned world champion D Gukesh, but he emphasizes that his passion for chess transcends financial rewards; it’s about the pure joy he has cherished since he first discovered the game as a child.
The 18-year-old from Chennai has just added Rs 11.45 crore to his bank account as prize money for defeating China’s Ding Liren in the final match.
Gukesh’s father, Rajnikanth, made the tough decision to leave his career as an ENT surgeon to support his son on the chess circuit, while his mother, Padmakumari, a microbiologist, became the family’s primary breadwinner.
When asked about what being a multi-millionaire means to him, Gukesh shared, “It means a lot. When I started in chess, my family faced significant challenges. They endured financial and emotional hardships, and now we’re more secure; my parents no longer have to worry about those issues.”
“However, for me, money isn’t the driving force behind playing chess,” he stressed.
Gukesh reminisces fondly about the origins of his chess journey. “I remain that kid who loves chess; it was once the coolest toy in my life,” he explained.
His parents play crucial roles in his life; his father also acts as his manager, handling off-the-board responsibilities so Gukesh can focus on improving his game, while his mother provides vital emotional support.
“My mother often says, ‘I would be happy to know that you are a great chess player, but I would be even happier to hear that you are a wonderful person,’” Gukesh reflected.
Although still a teenager, Gukesh believes that as he continues to learn more about chess, he becomes increasingly aware of how much he still has to discover.
“Even the best players make mistakes. Despite advancements in technology, there’s so much more to grasp about chess. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know,” he stated.
“Every time I sit at the chessboard, I feel as though I’m gaining new insights. It’s an endlessly beautiful process.”
The Journey and Destination are both “important”
While Gukesh acknowledges the importance of the journey, he believes it is equally essential to have clarity about his goals.
“For instance, if I play beautifully but lose, I feel disappointment. Conversely, if I win without playing well, that brings me joy. I tend to focus on the outcome,” he shared.
Gukesh’s drive to win outweighs any fear of failure. He noted the final match’s play quality was somewhat lackluster, yet he remains confident in his competitive spirit.
“My desire to win is more powerful than the fear of losing,” he commented, expressing surprise at how Liren quickly agreed to a draw in the second game.
“I had more opportunities to attack since he was defending strongly. After my poor performance in the first game, I felt he could have pushed me a bit more, but it ended comfortably as a draw.” While Gukesh understood Liren’s preference for safety, he felt a more daring approach could have benefitted him.
Dance and Ice Cream
Despite considering himself to have two left feet when it comes to dancing, his spontaneous dance after winning the Chess Olympiad Trophy gained significant attention, and now he jokes that his friends won’t let it go easily.
“Previously, I’d watch my friends dance from the sidelines. After winning the Olympiad, everyone was in high spirits, and the dance was spontaneous. Now, my friends insist, ‘You danced, so you must join us,’” he chuckled.
He expressed gratitude to the chef in Singapore for serving his favorite comfort food: “south Indian delicacies” during the tournament.
“I haven’t eaten ice cream in a year. Perhaps I will indulge in one,” he laughed. (Agencies)
