Bengaluru: The question on the minds of chess enthusiasts globally has been, “How is he only 18?” Over the past few weeks, Gukesh Dommaraju, who exhibits a level of composure and maturity that belies his age, allowed his emotions to surface only once—when he raised his arms in triumph and wept at the board following his victory. Even in that moment of vulnerability, Gukesh meticulously rearranged the chess pieces, reflecting his disciplined approach to the finer details. His opponent, Ding Liren, had just moments before appeared dejected across the board, before he removed his jacket and left the venue in a daze.

On Friday, Gukesh found himself alone on stage in Singapore, adorned with the Tricolour draped over his shoulders, a gold medal hanging around his neck alongside a vibrant pinkish-purple garland of orchids, Singapore’s national flower. He held the FIDE World Championship trophy aloft with his right hand, displaying the broadest smile he had permitted himself in weeks.

“I have envisioned this moment countless times,” he remarked. “This moment has been the driving force behind my daily motivation and the reason for every effort I have made thus far. The reality of this moment surpasses anything else in my life.”

Gukesh expressed gratitude towards his parents, Padma and Rajini Kanth, stating, “This victory holds greater significance for them than for me,” and acknowledged his faith in a higher power. “My entire chess journey commenced with a summer camp at school… In numerous instances throughout my career and life, when I faced challenges, God guided me and illuminated the path forward. I am grateful to God for the many miracles He has performed…”

The young player rebounded from the significant setback of losing his first game in the World Championship while playing with the White Pieces, making a strong comeback in Game 3. One might assume that the defeat in Game 12, occurring so close to the critical stages of the tournament, would have been particularly painful.

The young player rebounded from the significant setback of losing his first game in the World Championship while playing with the White Pieces, making a strong comeback in Game 3. One might assume that the defeat in Game 12, occurring so close to the critical stages of the tournament, would have been particularly painful.

"Logically, it should have been the 12th game, but Gukesh managed the situation exceptionally well and felt completely at ease after the match," his coach Grzegorz Gajewski stated to HT. "He expressed confidence and readiness to compete in the upcoming two games. This was reminiscent of his reaction after losing to (Alireza) Firouzja in the Candidates. He found it more challenging to cope with the matches where he was in a winning position but ultimately failed to secure victory, even coming close to losing one."

Throughout the competition, Gukesh maintained a largely stoic demeanor at the board, and during post-game press conferences, he remained composed despite facing tough losses and missed opportunities. "Coming to terms with not performing at the high level he expects from himself during such a significant challenge, while recognizing that he can still outperform his opponent, was a challenging journey for him," Gajewski disclosed.

Gukesh's composed and unflappable attitude had helped him navigate a highly competitive field in the Candidates, where he emerged as the youngest champion earlier this year. Managing the expectations of an entire nation, the weight of the occasion, and the intense nerves associated with participating in a high-stakes World Championship match for the first time is no small feat for an 18-year-old. There were chess enthusiasts bringing temple offerings from India to Singapore, and the many who chanted and cheered for him in a foreign land served as a constant reminder of the significance of a potential victory for countless individuals he had never met.

On Thursday, he rushed out of the playing area and into the comforting embrace of his father for an emotional release, before enveloping Gajewski in a heartfelt hug. It was only after his victory that he allowed the world to glimpse the youthful spirit within him.

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