World Chess Champion Gukesh receives hero’s welcome in Chennai amid chaos and hysteria

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation at the T2 international arrival gate of the Chennai airport. 

Fans adjusted their banners and flags, media crews fine-tuned their cameras, and the crowd paced anxiously, all waiting to welcome their hero, D. Gukesh.

The chess prodigy, who had etched his name in history as the youngest World Chess Champion after dethroning Ding Liren of China in a gruelling 14-game match in Singapore, was returning home to a hero’s welcome.

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By 7:30 a.m., people had begun queuing up to catch a glimpse of Gukesh. By 10:30 a.m., there was restlessness in the air.

But the long wait eventually proved worthwhile when the young champion finally emerged, adorned with a crown, a massive garland, and wrapped in the Indian flag, proudly holding the gleaming World Championship trophy.

Just as the homecoming seemed to be going smoothly, chaos erupted, echoing the overwhelming and borderline intrusive reception that Gukesh and R. Praggnanandhaa had experienced after their historic Candidates and World Cup triumphs. History, it appeared, was repeating itself.

The combined efforts of the airport management, local police, members of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) were insufficient to control the frenzied crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of their hero. The local press, notorious for pushing boundaries to grab a soundbite or photo, only made matters worse.

At first glance, the place resembled the aftermath of a stampede. People rushed in all directions, with scattered bracelets, slippers, and shoes on the floor — tangible evidence of utter chaos, with no one seemingly in control.

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Despite the bedlam, Gukesh graciously obliged every request for autographs and selfies, embodying patience and humility.

As pandemonium reigned, one striking image stood out: Gukesh’s father, Dr. Rajnikanth, desperately trying to assist his son but unable to navigate the commotion.

Amid the hysteria, there was also a heartwarming side to the story as hundreds of fans gathered to show their love and admiration for Gukesh. Among them was Gomathi, an athletics coach with the SDAT, who led a group of 30 boys and nearly as many girls from various sports disciplines under SDAT’s banner.

“We’re extremely proud of Gukesh’s achievement. He hasn’t just won the World Championship but has also become the youngest to do so. It feels as though one of our own dreams has come true. This victory feels very personal,” said Gomathi, reflecting on the historic moment.

She added, “Today, we celebrate one Gukesh, but I hope to see many more Gukeshs in the future. This victory can serve as a stepping stone.”

Karnataka’s Rahul Kamble travelled nearly 850 kilometres from Belgaum to Chennai to see his champion.

“I came here to meet Gukesh. He shook hands with me, and that moment was worth everything. I’ve been on the road cycling since November 25, supporting Gukesh. Along the way, I visited several chess academies. My dream is to take a photo with Gukesh and my cycle. From here, I plan to travel across Tamil Nadu,” said Rahul, whose journey ran parallelly to Gukesh’s World Championship campaign.

A chess trainer at a private school in his hometown, Rahul’s commitment to his journey cost him his job. His school management denied him permission for his cycling tour, but he decided to quit and pursue it anyway.

“I travelled up north to Goa and then toward Mumbai during the Candidates Tournament, and Gukesh won that. A friend told me I had to continue my journey to bring Gukesh luck, so I quit my job. Hopefully, I’ll get the chance to tell him my story.”