How 7-Year-Old Gukesh Turned Passion Into World Title

From playing his first chess move at seven to lifting the world championship trophy at eighteen, Dommaraju Gukesh’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised in Chennai by parents who are an ENT surgeon and a microbiologist, Gukesh had no familial chess background. Yet his natural talent and disciplined practice routine of three to four hours weekly helped him stand out early. Local tournaments soon gave way to international success. At twelve years and seven months, he earned his grandmaster title, becoming one of the youngest in history. His crowning moment arrived in 2024 when he captured the world title, surpassing Kasparov’s long-standing record. Gukesh’s rise also marks a proud chapter for Indian chess, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand. In recognition of this milestone, he received India’s highest sporting honor, the Khel Ratna Award, in 2025.