Through the Sportstar lens: D. Gukesh, youngest FIDE Candidates winner, over the years

Here’s a look at the early days of D. Gukesh, India’s youngest Grandmaster (GM), who recently won the FIDE Candidates in Toronto and will face reigning champion Ding Liren for the World Chess Championship title.

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D. Gukesh playing a game with Viswanathan Anand at the latter’s residence. The five-time world champion was also Gukesh’s mentor at the Westbridge-Anand Chess Academy (WACA).

Photo: M. Karunakaran/The Hindu

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Gukesh is seen playing against R.R. Laxman, ‘Speed King of India’, in the fourth round of the Chennai Open Grandmasters tournament in 2017.

Photo: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

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In 2018, the chess prodigy won the GM Round Robin “Orbis-2 2018” in Serbia.

Photo: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

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Gukesh returned to a rousing welcome in Chennai after becoming the world’s second youngest GM in January 2019. He is flanked by coach Vishnu Prasanna, right, and parents Rajinikanth and Padma Kumari.

Photo: S. Prasanna Venkatesan/The Hindu

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Gukesh, world’s second youngest GM, at a function in Chennai in 2019.

Photo: M. Vedan/The Hindu

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(From L-R): S. Kailasanathan, Managing Director, Microsense Pvt. Ltd., Gukesh, nine-time national champion Manuel Aaron and D.V. Sundar, former vice president of FIDE at a function held in Chennai in 2019.

Photo: M. Vedhan/The Hindu

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Gukesh’s mother receives the Sportstar Aces award on his behalf. He won the ‘Best Young Achiever of the Year’ in 2023.

Photo: Emmanual Yogini/The Hindu

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Gukesh during his Round 14 match against GM Hikaru Nakamura of USA at the FIDE Candidates 2024 tournament in Toronto.

Photo: PTI

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