Gukesh D

Dommaraju Gukesh, an Indian chess prodigy, earned his Grandmaster title in 2019 at just 12 years old, narrowly missing the record for youngest grandmaster ever. Throughout his career, he has achieved remarkable feats, such as winning the Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour and earning a gold medal at the Chess Olympiad.

In October 2022, he became the youngest player to defeat Magnus Carlsen since Carlsen became World Champion. Gukesh continued his success in 2023, tying for first place in the WR Masters tournament and reaching the Quarter Final of the Chess World Cup, where he faced Carlsen once again.

By September 2023, he surpassed Viswanathan Anand as the top-ranked Indian player. With the victory in the 2024 Candidates Tournament, he has secured the opportunity to challenge the reigning World Chess Champion, Ding Liren, in the upcoming World Chess Championship match. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in his career and sets the stage for an exciting showdown later this year. At the 45th Chess Olympiad in September 2024, Gukesh played on the first board for India. He scored 9 out of 10 points and reached a rating of 2794-fifth in the world-as India secured the gold medal.
In the 2024 World Championship, Gukesh triumphed over Ding Liren in a best-of-14 match held from November 25 to December 12. After losing the first game, Gukesh fought back, ultimately winning the decisive fourteenth game shortly after Ding's 55th move to claim the world champion title.
Finishing third with 14.5 points at Norway Chess 2025, Gukesh also stunned Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 with a precise counterattack for his first classical win over the former world champion.