Newly-crowned World Chess Champion D. Gukesh is eagerly anticipating the day when chess becomes part of the Olympic Games. The 18-year-old, who recently triumphed over China’s Ding Liren in Singapore to claim the world title, believes that the inclusion of chess in the Olympics would elevate the sport to new heights, both in India and globally.
Speaking at an event organized by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) to felicitate him and World Rapid Chess Champion Koneru Humpy, Gukesh expressed his excitement about the prospect. He reflected on the increasing popularity and support for chess and how the Olympics would take the game to the next level.”
I would love to see chess being part of the Olympics, especially if it’s hosted in India,” Gukesh said. “Chess has been gaining a lot of popularity and support, and the Olympics will take it to another level. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Gukesh’s comments come amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong push to host the 2036 Olympics in India. The young chess star sees this as a dream opportunity to elevate chess on the global stage.
The AICF also honored Gukesh with an award of ₹1 crore for becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. His support staff, who played a crucial role in his preparation for the championship, received ₹50 lakh in recognition of their efforts. Koneru Humpy, who recently won her second World Rapid title in New York, was also felicitated, receiving ₹50 lakh for her achievements. R. Vaishali, who earned a bronze medal in the World Blitz Championship in New York, was awarded ₹20 lakh.
Having enjoyed nearly a month of celebrations following his victory, Gukesh is now focused on his next challenge. He is set to compete in the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, where his opening match is scheduled for Saturday.”
We were all celebrating, and now things have settled down. I’m looking forward to my next tournament,” Gukesh said. “The attention we’ve been getting is great for chess.”
The young champion will also receive the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award from the President of India on Friday, a recognition he described as “really special.” Gukesh is only the second Indian chess player, after Viswanathan Anand, to receive this prestigious honor.
While Gukesh has a packed schedule, he mentioned that he would choose tournaments selectively. “It’s not possible to play every tournament, but I will focus on those I feel are important,” he added. “My priority right now is the Tata Steel Chess in the Netherlands.”
Gukesh also spoke about the challenges of balancing his newfound fame with his career. “It’s a challenge,” he admitted, acknowledging that managing his status alongside his responsibilities is not always easy.
The topic of strict dress codes in chess tournaments recently came into focus after World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen was disqualified from the World Rapid Chess Championship in New York for wearing jeans. When asked about his opinion on the issue, Gukesh responded with a lighthearted remark, “It depends on the occasion.” He added that his preference is to dress in a blazer and formal trousers, as he did at the event.
Looking ahead, Gukesh expressed his excitement about upcoming tournaments and the continued growth of chess globally.
