Gukesh Dommaraju: “I just want to enjoy the experience”

Gukesh Dommaraju: "I just want to enjoy the experience"

Just 18, Gukesh Dommaraju is on the cusp of an extraordinary achievement – he is about to fight against Ding Liren in the match that will determine the new world champion.  The Indian prodigy’s rapid ascend to the top has stunned many in the chess world. In a recent interview with the media, organized by FIDE, Gukesh shared his thoughts on the upcoming match, his preparation, and what he thinks of his opponent. “The year so far has been quite good,” Gukesh said, reflecting on his recent successes. “A lot of interesting chess and some nice achievements. I’m really looking forward to the World Championship match in Singapore. It’s coming soon, and I’m quite eager to start the match.” Photo: Michal Walusza While many have labeled him as the favorite for the title, Gukesh is understandably more cautious. “In general, I don’t believe in predictions and who are the favorites. I just think whoever shows up every day as the best will win the game eventually,” he explained. “I’m just focusing on the process, and I try to be at my best every day and play a good game. I just want to enjoy the experience.” And when it comes to that process, he outlined key elements of it: “The process is pretty much typical for the World Championships. I have a team, and we are preparing hard. I’m trying to be at my best and enjoy each moment of this journey.” Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club | Lennart Ootes When asked about Ding Liren and whether he had any specific strategies in mind for the match, Gukesh was diplomatic yet insightful. “It’ll be an interesting match for sure. We are both strong players, and there’ll be a lot of exciting games. I hope it’s a beautiful experience for all chess lovers,” he said. “As for my team, I can say Gajewski will be my trainer for the match, but beyond that, I can’t reveal much.” A key theme throughout the interview was the question about how well the 18-year-old can handle the pressure of playing such a demanding and high-profile event, particularly on the international stage where he represents India. “It’s always a privilege to play for India at such a high level, and I enjoy the experience. I think how I handle pressure is mostly through experience. I’ve played in many high-pressure situations, though not the World Championship, of course,” he noted. “But I’m looking forward to the new experience.” It’s a rare feat to become a role model at 18, but Gukesh seems to have achieved that, and many players are inspired by his meteoric rise. But his message to anyone wanting to follow in his footsteps is simple: “Just enjoy the game; chess is a beautiful game. It has many benefits. If you enjoy it, it’s a very good hobby to have. And if you’re talented, it’s very nice to be a professional chess player.” Photo: Michal Walusza Gukesh, like many of his contemporaries, belongs to the “computer generation” – kids who grew up with engines significantly stronger than humans and who learned with those engines and not via books. In the interview, he was asked about the influence computers have on chess preparation. One of the interesting points raised during the interview was about the influence of computers on chess preparation, something Magnus Carlsen has openly expressed frustration with in his decision not to defend the crown. But Gukesh’s outlook is different: “It’s different for Magnus and me. Magnus has been doing this for so many years, and I’m just coming up, so it’s a new experience for me. I basically enjoy the process,” he said. “It’s hard work, but I’m enjoying it, and let’s see how things unfold.” Another topic was his age and the advantages and disadvantages that come with it. Photo: Michal Walusza “Because of my age, compared to the more experienced players, I have more energy levels, and it’s easier to stay focused during long tournaments,” he said, before acknowledging, “The disadvantage is obviously that I’m not as experienced and haven’t played as much as them. But, so far, it’s been positive.” For the first time in the history of the game, both players come from Asia – signifying a symbolic return of chess to its roots. “It’s nice that this will be the first time there is no European in a World Championship match. I hope it becomes even more popular in Asia,” Gukesh remarked. “We’re already seeing some very nice growth. China has been a superpower for a few years, and Uzbekistan is catching up. But in India, chess is already quite popular, and I hope it grows even bigger.” The venue for this momentous match holds a special place in Gukesh’s heart as well—Singapore. “I’ve been there a couple of times. Once on vacation before I started playing chess, and the other time was one of my first international wins—some Asian under-nine tournament, I think. I have some pleasant memories from that championship in Singapore,” he shared with a smile. “Singapore is a beautiful country, and I’m super glad to have the match there.” About the FIDE World Championship Match The FIDE World Championship Match is one of the most important and widely watched chess events globally. Held every two years, it features the defending World Champion and the Challenger, chosen through a qualification process culminating in the Candidates Tournament, which includes eight of the world’s top players. The defending Champion is Ding Liren, who won the title after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana, Kazakhstan, in April 2023 on tiebreaks. The Challenger is the 18-year-old Gukesh D from India, who won the Candidates Tournament in April 2024 in Toronto. The World Championship Match will consist of 14 games. The player who scores 7.5 points or more wins the Match, and no further games are played. If the score is equal after 14 games, the winner is decided by a tiebreak.

Champions crowned at 36th FIDE World Youth Championship

Champions crowned at 36th FIDE World Youth Championship

The island of Florianópolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, Brazil, has been immersed in chess over the past days as it hosted the 36th World Youth Chess Championships 2024, held from October 28 to November 9 at the Canasvieiras International Hotel. This prestigious event brought together 520 players under 18 from 62 countries. The awards ceremony on Saturday evening celebrated the new world champions in the 14, 16, and 18-year-old categories, with trophies, medals, and culturally inspired gifts, accompanied by official speeches. Among the highlights in Girls 16, WIM Afruza Khamdamova (UZB; pictured below) secured her title with a round to spare, scoring an impressive 10.5 points out of 11, conceding only one draw to Guadalupe Montano Vicente (MEX) in the third round. In Girls 14, WFM Diana Khafizova (FID) claimed the title with 9 points despite a final-round loss. The Girls 18 championship was decided in the last round, with WFM Olga Karmanova (FID) and WIM Amina Kairbekova (KAZ) tied at eight points. Karmanova ultimately emerged as champion due to her direct-encounter victory. In the Open 14 category three players shared first place with Patrik Ciesllak (POL) taking the title thanks to a superior Buchholz. The Open 18 category also made waves, with four players achieving international master norms. GM Aleksey Grebnev (FIDE; pictured below), the sole grandmaster in the event, confirmed his status as the favorite by winning without a single loss. The top delegations were also recognized at the awards ceremony, with the FIDE team taking first place, followed by Poland in second and Uzbekistan in third. Additional honors included the Fair Play Award, given to Luiza Lessing Vieira. Tournament Director Kaiser Luiz Mafra presented awards to Sarah de Oliveira Orsini and Frederico Dhom Lemos from Brazil, as well as Justiniano Flores from Bolivia. FIDE Delegate Sergei Indeikin awarded Candela Francisco Guecamburu from Argentina, the only girl to compete in the Open 18 category, and Melania-Cristina Grigore from Romania, the youngest competitor at nine years old, who participated in Girls 16. Chief Arbiter Elena Polovina presented the Chief Arbiter Award to Tatiana dos Santos Spineva Bohonok from Brazil and Stefani Chuhukova from Bulgaria. Rest Day and Cultural Exchange On November 4, the rest day featured the inaugural World Youth Chess Solving Championship and the World Blitz Chess Tournament. Players and their families had the opportunity to explore iconic Santa Catarina landmarks, including the Hercílio Luz Bridge and Beto Carrero World Park. Support and next edition The World Youth Chess Championships were organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in collaboration with the Brazilian Chess Federation. The Chief Arbiter for the event was Elena Polovina, and Kaiser Luiz Mafra served as the Tournament Director. Key supporters of the event included FIDE, FIDE America, the Brazilian Chess Federation, the Santa Catarina Chess Federation, WR Logistics, Fort Atacadista, Jaehrig, Chess Trips, Fesporte, and the Sports Foundation of Florianópolis. The 37th World Youth Chess Championships will be held in Albania in 2025, continuing the mission of fostering cultural exchange and developing young chess talents. Detailed standings for each category are available at the following links: Open 18, Girls 18, Open 16, Girls 16, Open 14, Girls 14. FIDE WYCC 2024 awarding list Girls U14 1. WFM Diana Khafizova (FIDE) – 92. CM Victoria Smietanska (Poland) – 8.53. WFM Mariya Vlasova (FIDE) – 8.5 Open U14 1. FM Patrik Ciesllak (Poland)  – 8.52. IM Edgar Mamedov (Kazakhstan) – 8.53. FM Sauat Nurgaliyev (Kazakhstan) – 8.5 Girls U16 1. WIM Afruza Khamdanova (Uzbekistan) – 10.52. FM Yana Zhapova (FIDE) – 83. WFM Charis Peglau (Germany) – 8 Open U16 1. FM Havier Aguererra Habans (Spain) – 92. FM Krszysztof Raczek (Poland) – 8.53. Nikita Kalinin (FIDE) – 8.5 Girls U18 1. WFM Olga Karmanova (FIDE) – 92. WIM Amina Kairbekova (Kazakhstan) – 93. WFM Galina Mikheeva (FIDE) – 8 Open U18 1. GM Alexey Grebnev (FIDE) – 92. IM Aldiyar Ansat (Kazakhstan) – 8.53. IM Ian Klimkowski (Poland) – 8 Fair play award Luiza Lessing Vieira (Brazil) Tournament Director Award Sarah De Oliveira Orsini (Brazil)Frederico Dhom Lemos (Brazil)Justiniano Flores (Bolivia) FIDE Delegate Award Candela Be Francisco Guecamburu (Argentina)Melania-Cristina Grigore (Romania) Chief Arbiter Award Tatiana Dos Santos Spineva Bohonok (Brazil)Stefani Chuhukova (Bulgaria) Photos, content, and additional materials from the Championship can be found on the social media pages:  Official website: worldyouth2024.comInstagram: instagram.com/worldyouth2024 Photos: flickr.com/photos/fide/albums/72177720321585911 Written by Liziane Nathália Vicenzi  Photos: Vivian Passig