Gukesh reveals his team behind his World Chess Championship win

D. Gukesh on Thursday revealed the team which helped him in becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion in Singapore.

In the 14th and final game of the series, the 18-year-old Gukesh beat reigning champion Ding to clinch the championship with a 7.5-6.5 score.

Gukesh had won FIDE Candidates tournament earlier this to earn the right to challenge Ding for the title.

Gukesh said that his chess team comprised Grzegorz Gajewski, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Pentala Harikrishna, Vincent Keymer, Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Jan Klimkowski while he also received help from mental trainer Paddy Upton and Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand.

READ | Gukesh’s full press conference after winning World Chess Championship

“Grzegorz Gajewski has been my trainer for the past two years. He is someone who just works tirelessly for me. Paddy (Upton) has been a huge support for me in six months before the world championship. Although he is not a part of my chess team, he is a very important person in my team and my journey towards this match,” he said during the press conference.

“I would also like to thank Radoslaw Wojtaszek. He was there for the FIDE Candidates tournament and the whole journey. Pentala Harikrishna has also been (a part of the team) for the whole Candidates-World Championship journey. Vincent Keymer joined the team for the match. Jan-Krzysztof Duda was also there for the Candidates but more as a playing partner. This time, he helped us in a couple of training camps.

“Jan Klimkowski was also helping Gajeswki and assisting him in the preparation during the Candidates.

On five-time champion Anand, Gukesh said, “Vishy Sir was never officially a part of the team but we all know he was supporting me. He attended one of the days during the training camp and also helping remotely for a few sessions.

“This team…..every single one of them worked very hard. I can’t thank all of them enough and I would not have been here without them,” said Gukesh.