New Delhi: Overtaking his mentor Viswanathan Anand as the highest-ranking Indian in the live world (FIDE) rankings, 17-year-old chess prodigy D. Gukesh etched his name in history as the second-youngest Grandmaster (GM) globally and the youngest Indian to achieve this feat.
Chennai boy Gukesh became the number one chess player in India after posting a win against Misratdin Iskandarov of Azerbaijan in the second game of their second-round match of the World Cup in Baku Tuesday.
Outclassing the 28-year-old Azeri chess player in 44 moves gave Gukesh a bump of 2.5 rating points, allowing him to replace Anand as the World No. 9 in the FIDE live rankings — a rank Anand had held on to since 1991.
Gukesh D won again today and has overcome Viswanathan Anand in live rating!
There is still almost a month till next official FIDE rating list on September 1, but it's highly likely that 17-year-old will be making it to top 10 in the world as the highest-rated Indian player!… pic.twitter.com/n3I2JPLOJQ
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 3, 2023
The international governing body responsible for overseeing the game’s regulations and competitions, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) publishes a monthly list of the world’s top 100 players. The body also maintains a live ranking of the best players from around the world.
Besides shaping tournament seeding, they open the doors for players to prestigious events.
While he overtook Anand in the live rankings this week, Gukesh is still No. 11 in the FIDE’s August list, while Anand is No. 9.
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Gukesh’s upward trajectory
Born on 29 May, 2006, Gukesh comes from a family rooted in medicine. His father Rajnikanth is a surgeon and mother Padma a microbiologist. He started playing chess when he was seven and currently attends Velammal Vidyalaya in Mel Ayanambakkam in Chennai.
His triumphs include wins at the Asian School Chess Championships (Under-9) in 2015 and the World Youth Chess Championships (Under-12) in 2018.
He also secured five gold medals at the 2018 Asian Youth Chess Championships, solidifying his prowess across various formats.
The same year, in March, he attained the International Master title at the 34th Cappelle-la-Grande Open in France.
In the ongoing FIDE World Cup, his encounter with 21-year-old Andrey Esipenko of Russia concluded with a hard-fought draw. Gukesh then showcased his strategic prowess by securing a victory against fellow Indian S.L. Narayanan. A second encounter with Narayanan resulted in a draw, highlighting Gukesh’s consistent performance.
Finally, his clash with Iskandarov culminated in a triumph.
Gukesh’s performance at FIDE World Cup:
D. Gukesh vs A. Esipenko (Aug-09-23) 1/2-1/2
D. Gukesh vs S.L. Narayanan (Aug-06-23) 1-0
S.L. Narayanan vs D. Gukesh (Aug-05-23) 1/2-1/2
M. Iskandarov vs D. Gukesh (Aug-03-23) 0-1
Earlier in July, Gukesh became the youngest chess player to cross the 2,750-mark on the FIDE rankings. This coveted record was earlier held by Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion and World No. 1 since 2011.
In the realm of competitive chess, facing Carlsen is a defining moment.
Gukesh’s encounter with Carlsen during the Tata Steel Masters in January this year resulted in a draw. Prior to that, Gukesh had secured a victory against Carlsen in an online rapid chess game last October.
The juxtaposition of these encounters highlights Gukesh’s adaptability and his ability to compete against the best on both digital and physical chess boards.
Gukesh has, in the past, admitted to admiring the late Bobby Fischer, an American grandmaster and the 11th World chess champion.
‘Historic’: Anand on Gukesh surpassing him
“Even though I have been semi-retired for a couple of years, still to lose a spot you have held for 37 years is, well it’s historic, I have to admit that,” Anand told news agency PTI earlier this week.
Anand (53) has been India’s top-ranked chess player in all published lists since 1987.
His graceful acknowledgment of this milestone showcases the camaraderie and sportsmanship within the chess community. His support for Gukesh has its roots in the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy, which was set up in 2020 to nurture chess talent in India. The academy has helped Gukesh navigate the complex world of professional chess.
From surpassing chess icon Viswanathan Anand to ascending the FIDE rankings, Gukesh’s journey encapsulates a tale of mentorship and ambition.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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