Gukesh Damaraaju

Gukesh Damaraaju is an Indian chess player, born on May 29, 2006 in Chennai, India. He was raised in a family of medical professionals – his father is an otolaryngologist and his mother is a microbiologist. Gukesh began playing chess at the age of 7, initially as just a hobby. Over time, however, his passion for the game grew and he decided to devote himself entirely to chess.

Gukesh impressed from an early age with his exceptional talent. In 2018, when he was only 12 years old, he won the world title for under-12 youth. In the same year, he became an International Master, and in 2019 a Grandmaster, making him the second youngest Grandmaster in the history of chess up to that point.

In 2022, Gukesh achieved a new historic success by becoming the youngest player to surpass a rating of 2700 ELO points—a benchmark typically associated with the chess elite. This achievement places him among the top 20 in world chess, an impressive feat for someone his age.

In 2024, at the Chess Olympiad, he played on board one and made a significant contribution to India winning the gold medal. He was also chosen as the best board one player. Also in 2024, at the age of 17, Gukesh won the Candidates Tournament, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the tournament. This victory earns him the right to face the current world champion, Ding Liren, in a match for the world title.

Gukesh is known for his aggressive playing style, deep strategic thinking, and ability to adapt to his opponents’ varying styles. He continues to train hard and often works with elite chess coaches, including Viswanathan Anand, whom he regards as his idol and inspiration. With his achievements and ambitions, Gukesh Damaraaju is not only a symbol of the future of Indian chess but also of the global chess scene. He demonstrates how dedication and hard work can turn a childhood dream into reality.