Dommaraju Gukesh, an Indian chess grandmaster created history by becoming the youngest contender for the coveted title of World Chess Champion. With a chess rating of 2700, the youngest to achieve a rating of 2750, the third-youngest Grandmaster, and the third-youngest player to participate in a Candidates Tournament, he is a chess prodigy. He has been a member of the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) since its founding in 2020, and as of 2023, WestBridge Capital is the only sponsor of the academy. Gukesh became the youngest candidate to play for the title of World Chess Champion as he became victorious in the 2024 Candidates Tournament.

His Early Life ~ 

On May 29, 2006, Gukesh was born into a Telugu household in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. His parents are from the Andhra Pradesh region of the Godavari delta. His mother, Padma, is a microbiologist, and his father, Dr. Rajinikanth, is a surgeon specializing in ear, nose, and throat surgery. At the age of seven, he began learning how to play chess. He attends the Chennai-based Velammal Vidyalaya School in Mel Ayanambakkam.

2024: Candidate Winner  ~

Doing Things With Precision ~ 
( Source: Google Images) 

Gukesh took part in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024 in January. He finished in a four-way tie for first position with 8.5 points from 13 games—six wins, five ties, and two losses. He was in a winning position against R Praggnanandhaa in Round 12, but he made a mistake and repeated himself three times. He lost to Wei Yi in the finals of tiebreaks, despite defeating Anish Giri in the semifinals. Gukesh took part in the 2024 Candidates Tournament in April.  Gukesh triumphed in matches against fellow nationals Nijat Abasov, who played black and white, Alireza Firouzja, who played white, and Vidit Gujrathi, who played black and white. The only game he lost was to Firouzja when playing with black.

With 5 wins, 1 loss, and 8 draws, he finished with a 9/14 total, winning the competition and securing a spot in the 2024 World Championship matchup against Ding Liren. He will be the youngest player to compete in a World Chess Championship match in addition to being the youngest Candidates winner ever.

Takeaway ~ 

The Strength of Vision and Grit ~
The vast tapestry of human success contains a basic truth: desire and hard effort together are a powerful force that can transform dreams into reality. The engine of history's most remarkable success stories is this powerful chemistry, this alchemy of commitment and desire.

The Audacious Vision ~
Ambition serves as the compass that guides our goals. It's the fearless voice that affirms, "You are capable of greatness." Ambition encourages us to dream bigger, set higher standards, and challenge the status quo. It pushes us beyond our comfort zones. It increases our desire to create, have a good impact, and improve the world.