The Indian chess landscape has undergone a transformative shift, moving beyond the iconic Viswanathan Anand. A surge of prodigious talents has emerged, eager to leave an indelible mark on the global stage. Leading the charge is 17-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh, India’s youngest Grandmaster at the age of 12.
Gukesh’s remarkable performance in the Candidates tournament sent shockwaves through the chess world. The Indian prodigy triumphed over established grandmasters such as Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomnichtchi, and Hikaru Nakamura, securing his spot as the youngest player to challenge for the World Championship.
Gukesh’s exceptional composure and positional understanding have drawn praise from chess legends, including Garry Kasparov, who dubbed him one of the ‘Children of Vishy on the loose.’ Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World Champion, initially underestimated Gukesh’s abilities, but later grudgingly acknowledged his strength and maturity.
The rise of Gukesh and other young Indian players has ignited a new era for Indian chess. Former players have embraced mentorship roles, guiding and nurturing the next generation of prodigies. Gukesh’s coach, GM Prasanna, has emphasized the importance of critical thinking and intellect, steering his ward away from the overreliance on chess engines.
India’s chess ecosystem is reminiscent of the Soviet surge of the last century, with young talents emerging from all corners of the country. Praggnanandha’s contribution to Gukesh’s success, by holding back Nepomniachtchi, exemplifies the collaborative spirit within the Indian chess fraternity.
Gukesh’s journey has set the stage for an exciting India-China showdown in the upcoming World Championship. Ding Liren, the Chinese challenger, acknowledges Gukesh’s maturity and unique positional understanding, despite holding an advantage in classical chess.
The global chess audience awaits this captivating matchup, as the young Indian prodigy, unfazed by nerves and armed with an inscrutable demeanor, prepares to challenge the chess establishment. Gukesh’s remarkable rise serves as a testament to the vibrant and promising future of Indian chess.
