Gukesh reveals mentor's advice which inspired his historic World Championship run

ndian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju, the youngest undisputed world chess champion in history, has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of his title run in Singapore last year. Known for his calm demeanour, the 18-year-old admitted that overconfidence nearly derailed his campaign before it truly began.

Speaking on the Quest Talk podcast, Gukesh revealed how his mindset backfired in the opening game of the 2024 World Championship against Ding Liren.

“My overconfidence in the first World Championship match made me lose,” Gukesh said. “I played a horrible game, and then I kind of woke up from the dream.”

Despite holding the white pieces, Gukesh suffered a surprising defeat, as Ding struck early with sharp, fast-paced play. It was a setback that could have easily shaken a teenager on the sport’s biggest stage.

ANAND'S TIMELY WORDS OF WISDOM

The turning point, Gukesh recalled, came in an elevator ride back at the team hotel. Sharing the lift was none other than five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.

Anand, who himself had lost his first game in a 2008 title clash against Veselin Topalov, offered quiet encouragement: “I had 11 games to come back. You have 13.”

The words stayed with Gukesh. The current championship format features 14 games, giving him ample room to regroup — and Anand’s reminder helped restore his focus.

BREAKING THE TENSION

After bouncing back with a win in Game 3, Gukesh endured seven consecutive draws. The long stalemate period tested his patience, leaving him restless. To clear his mind, he decided to take a day off from chess altogether.

He visited a theme park, walked on the beach, went ziplining, and even stopped at an ice cream park. “That day helped me recharge. I got the mental break I needed,” he said.

Gukesh eventually found his rhythm, sealing the championship in December 2024 with a landmark victory over Ding. At just 18, he broke Garry Kasparov’s long-standing record to become the youngest undisputed world champion.

Only a year earlier, in September 2023, he had ended Viswanathan Anand’s 37-year reign as India’s top-rated player. His journey, marked by humility, resilience, and a willingness to learn, serves as an inspiring reminder that even setbacks can spark greatness.