MUMBAI: For several years before Ding Liren became the 17th world chess champion last year, D Gukesh's laptop wallpaper featured the faces of the previous 16. With the 18-year-old crowned as the 18th on Thursday, it is only now starting to sink in for the youngest world champion.
"Now that I think of it, that I'm part of this amazing group of players, it's a huge honour for me," Gukesh said in a video interview with FIDE in Singapore after beating Ding for the title. "But I think I still have a long way to go to achieve the kind of greatness Vishy sir (Viswanathan Anand), Magnus (Carlsen) and all these players have."
That Gukesh is a humble champion has been for all to see. The teenaged Indian got up to applaud his Chinese opponent after Ding was done talking in the post-match press conference moments after his championship ended. When it was his turn to speak, Gukesh appreciated the fight from Ding and made it clear that the title notwithstanding, he didn't think he was the best in the world.
"That is Magnus Carlsen," he had said.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
In Zen zone: Moulding the marble to match the paint
Smooth curves in pink intertwine the three figures so seamlessly that the marble they are made out of emotes a unified soul.
Food, drinks, and soulful beats set the mood for Odella's launch
It was a starry weekend in Green Park as founders Nipun Khanna and Samir Aggarwal hosted the grand launch of Odella.
India has every reason to be proud: Shahana on Santosh being shortlisted for Oscars nom
Actor Shahana Goswami's film Santosh, has inched closer to being nominated for the International Feature Film category in the 2025 Academy Awards.
Caught Rahane, bowled Ashwin
Given a choice, R Ashwin would have liked to have Ajinkya Rahane permanently at slips for his bowling, such was their combination.
Unbreakable Santosh back to rallying with an eye on Dakar
Astride a rally spec of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, CS Santosh was riding through the dirt on the banks of the Egidillo river in Spain when memories of him flying through the dunes at the Dakar Rally flashed across his mind.
India leave the Gabba with honours even
At almost all times during the Brisbane Test, Australia were ahead of the game.
Now, becoming the best player in the world is what I care about most
What must it be like to fulfil your life's greatest dream at 18? It's been less than a week since Gukesh D became world champion, beating China's Ding Liren, and the Indian teen is still wrapping his head around this delightful predicament.
Thinking bowler who could at will outwit batsmen
The off-spinners' club lost its brightest star when R Ashwin announced his retirement in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Nissan, Honda may gain in India from potential merger
MERGER COULD ALIGN THE FIRMS' ELECTRIFICATION AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION
INDIA'S RECORD GOLD IMPORT WAS DUE TO AN ERROR IN CALCULATION
A surge in gold imports that widened India's trade deficit to a record last month and pushed the rupee to an all-time low was due to an error in calculation, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
