Gukesh Dommaraju: The remarkable journey of D. Gukesh or Gukesh Dommaraju, crowned champion at the recent World Chess Championship, has captured the admiration of people worldwide. His victory not only highlights his extraordinary talent but also brings attention to the unwavering support and sacrifices made by his parents, Padma Kumari and Rajnikanth.
In an interview with ChessBase India, Gukesh’s mother shared some intimate insights into their unconventional decisions and her son’s relentless drive to excel in chess.
“It Was A huge Risk To Stop Sending Him To School,” Says Padma Kumari
Padma Kumari opened up about the bold decision she and her husband made to halt Gukesh’s formal education after the 5th grade to allow him to focus fully on his chess career.
She admitted, “There were countless moments when we doubted ourselves. Whenever he didn’t perform well in tournaments, we questioned whether we had made the right choice. He was just a child, and the responsibility of shaping his future felt overwhelming.”
Despite the tough moments, their belief in Gukesh’s potential kept them strong. “We never doubted Gukesh’s abilities, but the decision to prioritize chess over school was often tested,” she shared.
Father’s Influence: The ‘Never Give Up’ Spirit
Gukesh’s resilience and determination were also shaped by his father, Rajnikanth. Padma spoke about how her husband’s insistence on finishing what one starts became a fundamental value that Gukesh carried with him.
“When Gukesh was younger, if a tournament didn’t go well, he’d want to quit. But his father would always say, ‘You have to finish the tournament, and fight till the end,’” she recalled.
Although these lessons were tough for Gukesh to grasp at the time, they proved invaluable as he matured. “Today, Gukesh says that this ‘never give up’ attitude is one of the most important lessons his father gave him,” Padma added.
Gukesh On The Sacrifices Behind His Success
Looking back on his journey, Gukesh expressed deep gratitude toward his parents. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I started playing chess at seven, but the dream was probably even bigger for my parents than for me,” he said.
He acknowledged the sacrifices made by his family and friends, saying, “The biggest sacrifices were made by my parents, my family, and my friends. Their support means everything to me.”
Youngest Ever World Chess Champion
Gukesh’s victory is a record-breaking moment in chess history. He has cemented his place in the records as the youngest player to ever hold the title of undisputed World Chess Champion. Gukesh’s victory reignited national pride and even sparked debates about where he belonged between the two rival states.
Tamil Nadu vs Andhra Pradesh
The central point of the argument revolves around Gukesh’s roots and family heritage. Even though Gukesh was born and brought up in Chennai, his familial ties with Andhra Pradesh-the medical professional parents having strong Telugu heritage- have added fire to this rivalry.
