India, Dec. 29 -- D Gukesh has emerged as one of the most celebrated figures in India following his remarkable victory at the World Chess Championship in Singapore. At just 18 years of age, he became the youngest world chess champion in history and the second Indian to achieve this title, following the legendary Viswanathan Anand.

Gukesh triumphed over the reigning champion Ding Liren in a thrilling contest that culminated in the decisive 14th game. Initially, the match seemed to be unfolding according to the strategy of the Chinese grandmaster, who aimed to push for a tie-breaker. However, a significant error by Liren during the 55th move led to his resignation, allowing Gukesh to claim victory, which he found overwhelming.

Gukesh secured his place in the championship match by winning the Candidates Tournament in April, where he was not considered a frontrunner and was anticipated to finish at the bottom. In addition to being a chess prodigy and now a world champion, Gukesh benefits from a robust support system, including his father.

Furthermore, he has received guidance and training from Anand, a prominent figure in Indian chess. In 2020, it was announced that the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy would provide a fellowship to Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Raunak Sadhwani, and Vaishali, which included personal mentorship from Anand.

In a recent interview with India Today, Gukesh acknowledged Anand's significant influence on his career, stating that the chess icon had 'personally' facilitated the arrangement for his chief trainer, Grzegorz Gajewski, to work exclusively with him.

He expressed, "From the beginning, he has been a god figure and a tremendous source of inspiration. Since joining WACA, we have been training together consistently. He has always been available to analyze games and discuss strategies over calls. We are immensely grateful to Vishy Sir for the time he has dedicated to nurturing the next generation. He played a crucial role in helping me secure Gayu (Polish GM Grzegorz Gajewski) as my exclusive coach."

Following Gukesh's triumph, Gajewski has been praised for his contributions as Gukesh's primary coach, earning accolades from Indian chess enthusiasts. Gukesh and his team have opted to forgo participation in the upcoming Rapid and Blitz Championship at the end of the year, with the Indian chess prodigy scheduled to resume competition next year. In 2025, he is expected to compete against prominent players such as Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen.

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