India’s young chess prodigy, Gukesh Dommaraju, made history on 13th December 2024 by clinching the World Chess Championship in Singapore, defeating China's Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in a thrilling contest. At just 18 years old, Gukesh became the youngest player ever to win the prestigious title, a dream he had harbored since he was a child. However, what many may not know is that his path to this historic achievement was paved with years of dedication to not just improving his chess skills, but also focusing on his physical, mental, and emotional well-being—an approach that his former coach, Vishnu Prasanna, believes played a significant role in his triumph.
Vishnu Prasanna, who coached Gukesh from 2017 to 2022, shared insight into the holistic preparation that helped Gukesh secure the world crown. According to Prasanna, the teenager’s success was not an accident but the result of a five-year-long commitment to fitness. Gukesh followed a vigorous physical training regime, devoting at least one hour a day to staying physically fit, a crucial factor for a chess player who has to stay concentrated and perform under pressure for long hours.
Prasanna emphasized that Gukesh’s commitment to fitness was as crucial as his chess training. “Chess is a game of concentration,” he said. “And concentration, especially during long and competitive contests like the World Championship, requires a tremendous amount of energy. Physical fitness directly impacts a player’s ability to stay sharp and maintain focus throughout the game.” Gukesh’s physical activities, such as playing squash and tennis, were specifically chosen to improve hand-eye coordination and cardiovascular health, both of which are key to enduring intense chess matches. Additionally, he also focused on bodyweight exercises, further enhancing his stamina and overall fitness.
Prasanna, who runs his own chess academy in Chennai, explained how this holistic approach gave Gukesh an edge over his competitors. The Grandmaster’s incredible mental fortitude during the World Championship was a direct outcome of these five years of hard work. “The 18-year-old displayed steely nerves under pressure,” Prasanna remarked. “But that wasn’t by accident. It was the result of years of focus, preparation, and developing the right mindset.”
Despite his rigorous physical routine, Gukesh’s food habits remained simple and consistent. According to his coach, he prefers South Indian food, and there were no significant changes in his diet throughout his journey to the top. This consistency in his eating habits, along with his dedication to physical and mental training, helped him maintain the necessary discipline and energy levels to reach the pinnacle of world chess.
Prasanna recalled meeting Gukesh during a school chess camp in Chennai back in 2017. Gukesh, who was just 12 years old at the time, approached Prasanna with the desire to receive coaching. Prasanna agreed, and what followed was a six-year-long mentorship that contributed significantly to Gukesh’s growth as a chess player. After Gukesh became a Grandmaster in 2022, he transitioned to working with a new coaching team, which included the legendary Viswanathan Anand and his chess academy. This change allowed Gukesh to further refine his skills and broaden his chess knowledge, preparing him for the competitive level of world chess.
One key factor in Gukesh's journey was his discipline during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Gukesh dedicated himself to online training, maintaining an unwavering focus on his goal to become the World Chess Champion. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Gukesh’s discipline remained unshaken, and his commitment to his dream was absolute. According to Prasanna, Gukesh had only one thought in his mind: to become the World Chess Champion. His single-minded dedication and relentless work ethic are what set him apart from other players in his age group.
Now that Gukesh has secured the world title, Prasanna believes this victory will be a turning point for Indian chess, inspiring a new generation of young players to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. India, which already has a rich chess heritage, is poised to dominate the global chess scene in the years to come. Prasanna, who has spent years nurturing chess talent, is optimistic about the future of the sport in India. “India has an abundance of talent,” he said. “The country will produce more world-class chess players in the coming years, and Gukesh’s victory will give a massive boost to the sport in India.”
Gukesh's World Chess Championship win has not only made him a national hero but has also placed India at the forefront of global chess. His success story serves as a beacon of inspiration for young players across the country. Whether it’s the rigorous training schedule, the discipline, the focus, or the emotional and physical resilience, Gukesh’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. His future is bright, and with the support of his coaches and the Indian chess community, he is likely to achieve even greater heights in the coming years.
As Gukesh Dommaraju’s name is etched in the annals of chess history, it’s clear that India’s chess players are poised to take on the world, and Gukesh’s story is just the beginning of a new era for chess in India.
