D. Gukesh: The World Champion Who Plays for Passion, Not Prize Money

At just 18 years old, Chennai’s D. Gukesh has achieved what many can only dream of—becoming the World Chess Champion and winning a staggering ₹11.45 crore in prize money. But for Gukesh, the victory isn’t about the money. It’s about the love for chess that began when he was a child and considered his first chessboard the “coolest toy.”

Despite now carrying the “multi-millionaire” tag, Gukesh stays grounded. “Money means a lot, but it’s not why I play chess,” he said. His journey wasn’t easy—his father, Rajnikanth, gave up his career as an ENT surgeon to support him, while his mother, Padmakumari, worked as a microbiologist to sustain the family.

Gukesh credits his success to his parents, who taught him values beyond chess. “My mom always says, ‘Be a great player, but an even greater person,’” he shared.

The young champion is also humble about his game, believing there’s always room to grow. “Even the best players make mistakes. The more I learn about chess, the more I realize how much I don’t know,” he admitted, calling chess “a process of unlimited beauty.”

While Gukesh cherishes the journey, he values results too. “Winning makes me happy, even if the game wasn’t perfect. The desire to win drives me more than the fear of losing,” he said.

Off the chessboard, Gukesh’s viral dance after winning the Chess Olympiad trophy revealed a playful side. Though he claims to have “two left feet,” he now faces good-natured teasing from his friends about joining them on the dance floor.

As for celebrations? Gukesh plans to indulge in his comfort food—South Indian dishes—and perhaps treat himself to ice cream after a year-long wait.