Gukesh Dommaraju Biography
Early Life and Background
Born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Gukesh Dommaraju hails from a Telugu-speaking family originally from Andhra Pradesh. His father, Dr. Rajinikanth, is an ENT surgeon, and his mother, Padmakumari, is a microbiologist . Gukesh began his education at Velammal Vidyalaya School in Chennai.
Introduction to Chess
Gukesh discovered his passion for chess at the age of seven during extracurricular activities at school. Recognizing his potential, his first coach, Bhaskar V, introduced him to structured training sessions. He later trained under coach Vijayanand, where he honed his skills by solving numerous chess puzzles daily . Demonstrating exceptional dedication, Gukesh decided to focus entirely on chess, discontinuing formal schooling after the fourth grade .
Rapid Ascent in the Chess World
Gukesh’s chess career progressed swiftly. He earned the title of FIDE Master in 2015 and became an International Master in March 2018. In January 2019, at just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days old, he achieved the Grandmaster title, making him the second-youngest in history at that time .
Also read :- D Gukesh beats World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Norway Chess 2025
His notable achievements include:
Winning the Under-9 Asian Schools Chess Championship in 2015.
Securing five gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championships across rapid, blitz, and classical formats in 2018.
Leading the India-2 team to a bronze medal at the 2022 FIDE Chess Olympiad, where he also won an individual gold medal on board one with a score of 9/11 .
Breaking Records and Achieving Milestones
In 2022, Gukesh made headlines by defeating World Champion Magnus Carlsen in an online rapid game, becoming the youngest player to do so . By August 2023, he surpassed the 2750 FIDE rating mark, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat and breaking into the top 10 global rankings.
In 2024, Gukesh won the prestigious Candidates Tournament at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player ever to qualify for the World Chess Championship .
World Chess Champion
Gukesh faced China’s Ding Liren in the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship held in Singapore. The match was intensely competitive, culminating in a decisive 14th game where Gukesh capitalized on a critical error by Ding to clinch the title with a final score of 7.5–6.5. At 18, Gukesh became the youngest World Chess Champion in history .
Recent Triumphs
Continuing his impressive form, Gukesh secured his first classical victory over Magnus Carlsen during the sixth round of the Norway Chess 2025 tournament. Despite being in a challenging position for most of the game, Gukesh capitalized on a rare blunder by Carlsen under time pressure to win the match .
Mentorship and Training
Gukesh has been mentored by Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand and trained under the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy. Additionally, he collaborated with renowned mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton to enhance his psychological resilience and performance under pressure .
Conclusion
Gukesh Dommaraju’s journey from a young chess enthusiast in Chennai to the pinnacle of the chess world is a testament to his talent, dedication, and the support of his mentors and family. As the youngest World Chess Champion, he continues to inspire aspiring chess players worldwide and represents the growing prominence of India in the global chess arena.
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Fact-Check Summary:
Date of Birth: May 29, 2006
Grandmaster Title Achieved: January 2019 at 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days
World Chess Champion: December 2024 at 18 years old
First Classical Win Over Carlsen: June 2025 during Norway Chess Tournament
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