Indian youngster Goksh Dommaraju has made new history by reaching the World Chess Championship. Now the 18-year-old ‘Friends’ fan has now become the strongest contender to win the title and create more history.
If Goksh defeats reigning champion Ding Liren of China from November 25 in Singapore, he will become the youngest player to win an undisputed world crown.
Most pundits and players believe that Goksh will win against the 32-year-old Ding Liren, who has not won a match in the classical format since January.
But Goksh, an unassuming bearded young man, doesn’t give a damn about these prophecies.
“I don’t believe in predictions and favorites,” he told reporters ahead of the title match, which carries a total prize money of $250 million.
‘I’m just focusing on my process and trying to give my best every day and have a good game.
‘I just want to enjoy the experience.’
Goksh became India’s youngest grandmaster at the age of 12 years, seven months and 17 days and is one of the youngest grandmasters in chess history.
Even Magnus Carlsen, the most famous player of the present era and five-time world champion, was older than him.
If Goksh defeats Ding in the 14-match series, he will surpass the legendary Garry Kasparov, who became the world champion in 1985 at the age of 22.
Goksh is often seen as shy and cautious in public.
He did not attend the Bermuda Party while representing India at this year’s Chess Olympiad, a decades-old tradition where contestants celebrate in nightclubs in the host city.
But when India won two gold medals, Goksh, in contrast to his serious persona, posted a video in which he was seen happily dancing to a popular Tamil song in traditional attire.
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Although he spends most of his time practicing chess, Goksh recently admitted that he is a fan of popular TV sitcom ‘Friends’.
During competition they often wear a tilak (white ash mark) on the forehead along with the suit in deference to their Hindu faith.
In 2022, Goksh defeated American number one Fabiano Caruana at the Chess Olympiad, and later that year he also won against Carlson.
He reached the World Championship in April by becoming the youngest winner of the famous Candy Dates tournament.
Indian chess legend and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand played a mentor role in Goksh’s journey and named the young man as his successor.
Four-year-old Anand told broadcaster NDTV that Goksh is a very balanced thinking boy.
‘I feel very, very proud that he has achieved this fantastic achievement. In a way, I think I’ve passed the torch to him.’
‘An experienced player’
Born to a doctor father and a microbiologist mother, Goksh started playing chess at the age of seven.
His father Rajinikanth took him to watch a world championship match between Anand and Carlson in Chennai in November 2013.
The World Championships in Singapore have been likened by some to the classic Cold War contest between American Babe Fisher and Soviet great Boris Spassky in 1972.
Relations between nuclear-armed neighbors China and India are often strained.
Ding has admitted to being impressed by his young rival’s maturity.
‘He plays like an experienced player despite his young age,’ said Ding, who suffered depression after becoming world champion last year and was sidelined for nine months.
Carlson described the young Indian as ‘a major favourite’ and said that ‘if he strikes first, he will win the match without any difficulty.’
However, he said, ‘The longer the match goes without a decisive game, the better it will be for Ding Li Ren because he has the ability but lacks confidence.’
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What does Gukesh Dommaraju do to relax outside of chess?
## A Chat with a Chess Prodigy
**Host:** Joining us today is the youngest ever World Championship challenger, the remarkable Gukesh Dommaraju! Welcome, Gukesh.
**Gukesh:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** You’ve taken the chess world by storm, becoming India’s youngest grandmaster at just 12 years old and now you stand on the cusp of becoming the youngest ever world champion. How does it feel?
**Gukesh:** It feels surreal, to be honest. It’s a dream come true to be here competing for the World Championship title. But I’m trying to focus on one game at a time and enjoy the experience.
**Host:** You’ve been described as a quiet and focused individual. Does that help you on the chessboard?
**Gukesh:** [Chuckles] I guess so. I try not to get distracted by anything and just focus on the game.
**Host:** Many, including five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, are predicting your victory against reigning champion Ding Liren. Do these predictions add pressure?
**Gukesh:** Not at all. I don’t believe in predictions or favorites. Every game is a new battle, and I respect Ding Liren as a formidable opponent.
**Host:** Besides chess, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
**Gukesh:** I actually enjoy watching “Friends”! It’s a great way to unwind after a big game.
**Host:** [Laughs] A chess prodigy with a love for sitcoms! That’s quite a combination.
**Host:** Gukesh Dommaraju, thank you so much for joining us today. We wish you the very best in your title match.
**Gukesh:** Thank you so much.
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