Dommaraju Gukesh is an Indian chess grandmaster and is the youngest winner of the FIDE candidate’s tournament.
After a week of winning the tournament, Magnus Carlsen, a Norwegian chess grandmaster, praised him saying he is a very “quiet, humble and curious guy when there is anything related to chess”.
“It’s been an amazing story to see such a young enthusiast. I never expected him to be this good as a candidate. He has been so good throughout the match, that for a moment I thought that he forgot to hesitate and be nervous as a candidate should be during a match.”
Magnus Carlsen was taken upon a podcast on Sjakksnakk, where he showed his interest on the 17-year-old chess grandmaster challenger from India and Ding Liren, world champion from China. This duo will be playing a face-off in November this year, for the World Championship Crown. Carlsen pointed upon how this Chennai boy looked victorious and undefeatable in front of the man who has some very experienced veterans. He mentioned how Gukesh didn’t have any pressure on him while playing the game, and how it can be impactful and positive of him to play a world championship match at this early stage of his life.
“I hope that before the championship game, Ding can make a comeback even 90% of what his play was before in the past, because he looked like a nervous wreck in the following match”.
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With response, Gukesh replied about how he “has come to Toronto with only winning intentions and nothing else.” He believes that he is no less than a strong player and he has a determination in himself that he is going to give his best even though it is a tough challenge.
“I am very excited about the upcoming match, and it is very nice that I will be playing in the World Chess Championship. I don’t feel any kind of difference as after becoming the youngest ever world class championship contender.”
During the podcast with Gukesh, when asked about his key to being this confident and determined, he replies about how he is only focused on playing good chess games and maintaining a good mental state.
