Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history in December when he defeated China’s Ding Liren to become the youngest world chess champion. The 18-year-old from Chennai etched his name in the record books, securing India’s second world chess title after Viswanathan Anand. However, with great success has come a fair share of scrutiny, with some voices in the chess world questioning his achievement.
Following his victory, Gukesh continued his impressive run by securing a runner-up finish in a major tournament and climbing to No. 3 in the FIDE world rankings. Despite his rapid rise, criticism has followed, most notably from five-time world champion and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, who openly expressed concerns about the quality of play in the championship final.
Gukesh’s Perspective on Handling Negativity
The young champion, however, has taken the criticism in stride. Aware of the nature of high-level sports, he remains unfazed by external opinions. In a recent interview with The Times of India, Gukesh shared his approach to dealing with negativity, emphasizing his focus on personal growth rather than outside noise.
“In my personal view, when you reach the World Championship game, you are bound to face criticism, and people are free to say whatever they want. I will continue to do my job,” Gukesh said. “Also, I’m not on social media, so a lot of negative things don’t reach me easily. But I do come across some negative comments, and they only motivate me.”
His measured approach reflects the maturity that has defined his journey in professional chess. Gukesh acknowledges that criticism is part of competing at the highest level and sees it as a source of motivation rather than discouragement.
A Landmark Year for Indian Chess
Gukesh’s victory at the FIDE World Championship in Singapore was the crowning achievement of an exceptional year for Indian chess. Earlier in 2024, he became the youngest winner in the history of the Candidates Tournament, solidifying his place among the elite. His contribution to India’s gold medal victory in the ‘Open’ section of the Chess Olympiad in September further underscored his growing legacy in the sport.
With his name now firmly established among the greats, Gukesh remains focused on his next challenges, using both success and criticism as fuel to push his game to even greater heights. As he continues his journey, the world watches to see how India’s newest chess icon shapes the future of the sport.