D Gukesh has admitted that handling the success of winning the World Chess Championship has been difficult, but he has stayed grounded thanks to the support of his well-wishers. Gukesh also acknowledged that he still has a long way to go before becoming the best chess player, a title currently held by Magnus Carlsen.
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While D Gukesh is known for his maturity beyond his years and his graceful handling of fame
after becoming the youngest world chess champion, the 18-year-old Grandmaster from Chennai has admitted that dealing with success has not been “easy” for him.
Gukesh made history last month
by defeating China’s Ding Liren in a best-of-14-game series to become the youngest world champion ever. He is only the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to claim the world chess title. His record-breaking triumph came in the same year he helped India
secure its first-ever Chess Olympiad gold, earning him unprecedented recognition, including a Rs 5 crore award from the Tamil Nadu government.
Gukesh: ‘Success has not been easy to handle’
In a recent interview during the ongoing Tata Steel Chess 2025, Gukesh has revealed that he may “drifted a bit here and there” due to the sudden game but his family, friends and coaches have helped him stay on track.
“I have to admit the success has not been easy to handle. I might’ve drifted a bit here and there. But the most important thing is that there are people around me who are always there to remind me whenever I go off the track,” Gukesh told NOS, a Dutch public broadcasting organization.
Gukesh, however, has no regrets as he is happy that chess is getting popular in India.
“I didn’t expect it that massively. But I am happy that chess is getting the kind of attention that only cricket usually gets in India,”
the Khel Ratna awardee said.
Gukesh: ‘Long way to go to be the best’
Gukesh reiterated that winning the World Chess Championship doesn’t mean he is the best player on the circuit and wants to keep improving his game.
“The world champion title is nice to have, but there is still a long way to go to be the best. I am just looking to reach my full potential,” he said.
He also had no qualms in admitting once against the world No.1 Magnus Carlsen is the best player currently in the world of chess.
“Yeah, not yet. Considering my age, 18, it is not a crime not to be the best in the world. But I try to keep pushing and proving myself,” Gukesh said.
“It is Magnus Carlsen for now, he added when asked who is the best player currently in chess”
Gukesh is currently in the Netherlands to compete in the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025. The world champion is
at the top of the standings after nine rounds, with four more to go.