India's D Gukesh (18), who recently became the world chess champion, told Global News Daily that he is ready to play 5-time world champion Magnus Carlsen in any tournament. Gukesh had defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China 7.5-6.5 in the final. Gukesh is the first player in the world to win the title at such a young age. Earlier in 1985, Russia's Garry Kasparov had won this title at the age of 22.
Actually, after Gukesh became the champion, Carlsen had said that I do not play in the World Champion. There is no one there to defeat me.
Gukesh and Carlsen will face each other for the first time next year at the Norway Championships from May 26 to June 6, 2025. When Global News Daily asked Gukesh, he said that Carlsen is the best, if I get a chance, I will test myself on the chessboard in front of him.
Question: What was that trick of Liren, which made you sure of victory? answer: Understand how one move can spoil a game. I was surprised when Liren played Rf2 because it was not expected. Then to control myself I drank a sip of water. Took a breath and calmed myself. Then carefully looked at the chessboard to see if any mistake was being made. After this, set the match winning moves in mind. After a while I felt that it was time to end the game.
Question: The family risked everything for you. Do you remember that struggle? answer: How can I forget them? Those were the days which did not let me take my eyes off the chessboard. Whenever I tried to look away, I would remember the moments of my parents' struggle. At one time, too much pressure of expectations affected my game also. It was the beginning of 2023. So I have decided to just keep learning, keep improving myself. Moved forward on this line and came out of pressure with the support of home. Sometimes the pressure of expectations can change your goal, so it is better to come out of it at the right time.
As soon as Gukesh received the trophy, he handed it over to his father and mother. Mother kissed his trophy.
Question: World champion Gukesh… Anand became champion 5 times. What is the strategy now? answer: I try to make the game better. The position I am at was a phase of life. The next task is to maintain myself at that level, which is even more difficult than the challenges I have faced in my career so far.
Question: You trained hard for years? answer: I remember winning the Under-9 category for the first time in the Asian School Chess Championship in 2015. From then onwards I made the training more complex. My parents took every moment to ensure that my focus was not diverted for any reason. Five years ago, I, Arjun, Prag and Nihal were going to become Grandmasters. Everyone was trying to outdo each other. But, we all reached the top.
Gukesh said that he was inspired by Liren, but it was his own blunders that made him the champion.
World Chess Champion Gukesh returns to India: Warm welcome at Chennai Airport; Youngest player to become world champion
18 year old Gukesh is the new world champion of chess: won the title at the youngest age, defeated the Chinese player in the 14th game
18-year-old Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh won the World Chess Championship title in Singapore on Thursday. He defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China 7.5–6.5 in the final. Read the full news..
Graphics Source: NavJivanIndia | VaskarAssets
