Gukesh Dommaraju’s rise to the top of the chess world has been nothing short of extraordinary.
From his humble beginnings in Chennai to becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion, Gukesh has shown the world that age is no barrier to success.
His future in chess looks incredibly bright, and he is sure to inspire generations of chess players to come.
Early Life and Family Background
Gukesh Dommaraju, born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India, is a chess grandmaster who has made significant strides in the world of chess at a remarkably young age. He hails from a Telugu-speaking family.
His father, Rajinikanth, is an ENT surgeon, and his mother, Padma, is a microbiologist. Gukesh grew up in Chennai and attended the Velammal Vidyalaya school in Mel Ayanambakkam, where his journey in chess began.
From a young age, Gukesh showed a keen interest in the game. He started learning chess when he was only seven years old.
His initial training involved practicing chess for about one hour, three days a week. However, his passion for the game soon grew, and he began participating in more frequent tournaments.
Early Chess Career & Achievements
Gukesh’s rise in the chess world was swift. In 2015, at just nine years old, he won the Under-9 section of the Asian School Chess Championships.
His victory in the World Youth Chess Championships in 2018, where he won the Under-12 category, was a major milestone.
That same year, he clinched five gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in various formats, including individual and team events.
In 2017, at the age of 10, Gukesh earned the title of International Master (IM) after completing the necessary requirements at the 34th Cappelle-la-Grande Open.
His potential was clear, but the best was yet to come.
Becoming a Grandmaster
On January 15, 2019, at the age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, Gukesh became the second-youngest grandmaster in the history of chess, just behind Sergey Karjakin.
Gukesh’s rise was remarkable, as he earned this prestigious title at a time when the chess world was dominated by experienced and highly rated players.
His achievement made headlines, and Gukesh quickly became a promising figure in international chess.
In June 2021, Gukesh further established his prowess by winning the Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour’s Gelfand Challenge, scoring 14 out of 19 points.
Olympiad Success & International Recognition
The year 2022 was a turning point for Gukesh in his professional career. He participated in the 44th Chess Olympiad held in Chennai, where he delivered a spectacular performance.
Gukesh achieved a perfect score of 8/8 in the initial rounds, including a notable victory over US No. 1 Fabiano Caruana.
Ultimately, Gukesh finished with a score of 9/11, earning an individual gold medal for his performance on the first board. His team, India-2, secured third place in the competition.
During the same year, Gukesh reached a new milestone when his rating crossed 2700, making him the third-youngest player to achieve this feat after Wei Yi and Alireza Firouzja.
In October 2022, he made history by becoming the youngest player to defeat Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World Champion at that time.
Climbing the Rating Ladder
In 2023, Gukesh’s rating surpassed 2750, making him the youngest player to achieve such a high rating.
He participated in the Chess World Cup 2023, where he defeated several strong players, including Misratdin Iskandarov, S. L. Narayanan, Andrey Esipenko, and Wang Hao, before losing to Magnus Carlsen in the quarterfinals.
In September 2023, Gukesh became the top-ranked Indian player in the world, surpassing Viswanathan Anand, who had held the title for 37 years.
His rise marked a new chapter in Indian chess, as Gukesh now carried the torch for the next generation of chess players.
Qualification for the 2024 Candidates Tournament
Gukesh’s stellar performances in 2023 earned him a place in the prestigious Candidates Tournament for the 2024 World Chess Championship. He qualified through the FIDE Circuit, placing second behind Fabiano Caruana.
This achievement made him the third-youngest player to qualify for the Candidates Tournament, behind only Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen.
Victory in the 2024 Candidates Tournament
In April 2024, Gukesh participated in the 2024 Candidates Tournament, where he showed incredible resilience and skill.
He won games against notable opponents such as R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, Alireza Firouzja, and Nijat Abasov, securing a remarkable five wins, one loss, and eight draws.
His performance earned him a score of 9/14, which was enough to secure first place in the tournament and qualify him for the World Chess Championship 2024.
2024 Chess Olympiad Success
In September 2024, Gukesh represented India at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. He played on board one for the Indian team and delivered a flawless performance, scoring 9 points in 10 games.
His victories over top players such as Fabiano Caruana and Wei Yi helped India win its first-ever team gold medal at the Olympiad.
Gukesh’s performance was so outstanding that he earned an individual gold medal for his efforts, with the highest performance rating of 3056 in the tournament.
World Chess Champion (2024)
In December 2024, Gukesh achieved the greatest honor in chess: he became the World Chess Champion.
In a thrilling match against Ding Liren, Gukesh triumphed with a 7.5-6.5 victory which makes him the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in history.
This victory solidified Gukesh’s place among the chess greats and marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Gukesh has received numerous accolades. In 2023, he was named the Player of the Year by the Asian Chess Federation.
In 2024, he won the prestigious Candidates Tournament and, of course, the World Chess Championship.
FAQS
Who is Gukesh Dommaraju?
Gukesh Dommaraju is a young chess player from India who became the World Chess Champion in 2024.
When was Gukesh born?
Gukesh was born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India.
How did Gukesh start learning chess?
Gukesh started learning chess when he was 7 years old.
When did Gukesh become a Grandmaster?
Gukesh became a chess Grandmaster at the age of 12 years and 7 months, in January 2019.
What was Gukesh’s big achievement in 2022?
In 2022, Gukesh won an individual gold medal at the Chess Olympiad and defeated Magnus Carlsen.
What was Gukesh’s rating in 2023?
In 2023, Gukesh’s rating surpassed 2750, making him the youngest player to do so.
What did Gukesh achieve in the 2024 Candidates Tournament?
In the 2024 Candidates Tournament, Gukesh finished first and qualified for the World Chess Championship.
How did Gukesh perform at the 2024 Chess Olympiad?
Gukesh scored 9 points in 10 games and helped India win its first-ever team gold medal at the Olympiad.
When did Gukesh become the World Chess Champion?
Gukesh became the World Chess Champion in December 2024.
What awards has Gukesh won?
Gukesh was named the Player of the Year by the Asian Chess Federation in 2023 and won the World Chess Championship in 2024.
