Through the Sportstar lens: D. Gukesh, youngest FIDE Candidates winner, over the years

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M. Karunakaran/The Hindu

D. Gukesh playing a game with Viswanathan Anand at the latter’s residence. The five-time world champion was also Gukesh’s mentor at the Westbridge-Anand Chess Academy (WACA).

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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Gukesh is seen playing against R.R. Laxman, ‘Speed King of India’, in the fourth round of the Chennai Open Grandmasters tournament in 2017.

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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In 2018, the chess prodigy won the GM Round Robin “Orbis-2 2018” in Serbia.

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S. Prasanna Venkatesan/The Hindu

Gukesh returned to a rousing welcome in Chennai after becoming the world’s second youngest GM in January 2019. He is flanked by coach Vishnu Prasanna, right, and parents Rajinikanth and Padma Kumari.

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M. Vedan/The Hindu

Gukesh, world’s second youngest GM, at a function in Chennai in 2019.

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M. Vedhan/The Hindu

(From L-R): S. Kailasanathan, Managing Director, Microsense Pvt. Ltd., Gukesh, nine-time national champion Manuel Aaron and D.V. Sundar, former vice president of FIDE at a function held in Chennai in 2019.

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Emmanual Yogini/The Hindu

Gukesh’s mother receives the Sportstar Aces award on his behalf. He won the ‘Best Young Achiever of the Year’ in 2023.

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PTI

Gukesh during his Round 14 match against GM Hikaru Nakamura of USA at the FIDE Candidates 2024 tournament in Toronto.