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 make 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 has 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 party 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 training for chess, Goksh recently admitted that he is a fan of the 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 defeated 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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Does Gukesh Dommaraju’s fandom for “Friends” contribute to his ability to handle the pressure of high-stakes chess matches?
## “A ‘Friends’ Fan on the Brink of History”
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show! Today, we’re joined by world-renowned chess expert, [Expert Name], to discuss the upcoming World Chess Championship and its young challenger, Gukesh Dommaraju. Gukesh, an 18-year-old Indian prodigy, is poised to make history. [Expert Name], can you tell us about his incredible journey?
**Expert:** Absolutely! Gukesh is a truly remarkable talent. He became India’s youngest ever grandmaster at just 12 years old and has been steadily climbing the ranks ever since. His recent victory at the Candidates Tournament secured him a spot in this year’s World Championship, where he’ll be facing reigning champion Ding Liren.
**Interviewer:** Many consider Gukesh the favorite to win. Do you agree?
**Expert:** It’s certainly an exciting possibility. Gukesh’s recent form has been phenomenal.
He’s defeated some of the world’s top players, including Fabiano Caruana and even Magnus Carlsen, at a young age. However, Ding Liren is a formidable opponent and shouldn’t be underestimated. It promises to be a thrilling battle.
**Interviewer:** What’s especially striking about Gukesh is his calm and collected demeanor. He seems unfazed by the pressure.
**Expert:** That’s definitely true. Despite his age and the magnitude of this event, Gukesh remains incredibly grounded. He’s focused on his process and takes each game as it comes. You can see it in his interviews, where he consistently emphasizes enjoying the experience.
**Interviewer:** Interestingly, he’s also a big fan of the sitcom ’Friends’. Does that help him relax and unwind amidst this intense competition?
**Expert:**
I imagine it does! It shows he has other interests and passions beyond chess. It’s important for any athlete, especially young ones, to maintain a balance in their lives.
**Interviewer:** Well, we’ll certainly be watching closely as Gukesh takes on Ding Liren. He might just be on the verge of rewriting chess history. [Expert Name], thank you so much for your insights.
**Expert:** My pleasure! This is a truly momentous occasion for the world of chess. We’re all eagerly anticipating this historic match.
