D Gukesh, having ascended to the title of world chess champion, is set to commence his 2025 season at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, which is slated to begin on January 17 in the Netherlands. The Indian Grandmaster triumphed over the reigning champion, Ding Liren, in Singapore, thereby becoming the youngest world champion in history this past December.

The championship culminated in a pivotal fourteenth game, which initially appeared to unfold according to the strategy of the Chinese Grandmaster. However, a significant error on the 55th move led to his resignation, allowing the 18-year-old Gukesh to claim victory.

Gukesh's remarkable achievement triggered a flurry of reactions on social media, garnering admiration from both past and present chess players. Nonetheless, he also faced some criticism, notably from Magnus Carlsen and former coach Vladimir Kramnik.

Siddharth Jagadeesh, Singapore’s youngest Grandmaster, has known Gukesh since childhood, having competed against him in various underage tournaments. In an interview with Sportstar, Jagadeesh recounted a memorable moment from an under-9 tournament when Gukesh, despite being in a favourable position, offered him a draw out of kindness.

“The first place in the tournament earns the Candidate Master title, and a draw would secure him that position. Even though he was in a better position, he offered me a draw, which I accepted. I am certain he could have won if he had chosen to,” he remarked.

Reflecting on Gukesh’s victory over Liren, he noted, “My game would typically conclude around 7 p.m. Singapore time, while they would be 2-3 hours into their match. I would then go and observe their game.”

He further elaborated, “Experiencing the game live allows one to grasp its complexities, as you are fully immersed in the atmosphere. In contrast, watching from home often leads to distractions, making it difficult to comprehend the players' thought processes. One tends to rely on engine evaluations, which can create the illusion that the game is straightforward.”

In February, Gukesh is also scheduled to compete against Viswanathan Anand and Carlsen in the inaugural tournament of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025, taking place in Germany. Additionally, he will be travelling for the Nor.

Read Also: "Steve Smith Reflects on Heartbreak of Missing 10,000 Test Runs by Just One"

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!