Gukesh’s Journey: Lessons from Chess Legends to the Youngest World Title Contender

With a fearless tactical style, Gukesh Dommaraju has carved his place in chess history. Dive into the influences that shaped his game and discover how you can adopt the maneuvers and mindset of the youngest challenger for the chess crown.

At just 18, Gukesh has achieved what many grandmasters can only dream of:

• Surpassing the 2750 Elo mark in 2022
• Clinching double gold and scoring 9/10 at the 2024 Chess Olympiad
• Winning the 2024 Candidates Tournament to become the youngest contender for the title

Imagine the family chatter and comparisons during dinner conversations! Thankfully, we get to simply enjoy watching Gukesh in action.

Now, he’s set to face World Chess Champion Ding Liren in the biggest showdown of 2024.

As the world eagerly awaits, let’s revisit the inspirations that defined Gukesh’s play. Who knows—you might pick up tactics to sharpen your own game!

Let’s dive in.

Guided by the Legend: Viswanathan Anand

“It all started with Vishy Anand,” Gukesh shared in an NDTV interview, reflecting on India’s rise in professional chess.

Anand, India’s first Grandmaster (1998), is a five-time World Chess Champion and a two-time World Cup winner. Widely regarded as India’s greatest chess player, he inspires millions whenever he competes.

But Anand’s influence goes beyond inspiration. Through the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), he mentored Gukesh and other rising Indian stars.

From January 2021 to November 2022, the program brought together renowned coaches like Artur Yusupov (two-time World Championship candidate) and Boris Gelfand (2012 World Championship challenger), aiming to catapult Indian talent into the top 10.

“What I want to see from this is to make sure some of them will break into the top 10,” Anand stated.

And Gukesh did just that!

Starting at 2563 Elo, Gukesh gained an astonishing 162 points, climbing to 2725 Elo and world #23. By September 2023, he entered the top 10, reaching world #8 and eventually achieving his highest rank yet—world #5.

Anand’s guidance has truly shaped a new era for Indian chess.

Influenced by the Legendary Garry Kasparov

When Garry Kasparov retired in 2005, Gukesh wasn’t even born. Yet, the 13th World Chess Champion’s impact on the young prodigy is undeniable.

In Gukesh’s home library, you’ll find annotated collections of classical games, including Kasparov’s masterpieces. Over the board, their styles share striking similarities—both are fearless attackers with a knack for breathtaking combinations.

Kasparov ruled the chess world for over 20 years, renowned for his unparalleled ability to hunt kings and calculate deep, intricate variations. His unmatched mastery of knight play, showcased in the 1985 and 1990 World Chess Championships, remains iconic.

Gukesh seems to channel that same magic with his knights. ‘Active and aggressive’ perfectly describes their role in many of his games, where he often defies both commentators and engines with stunning precision.

In one such moment, White attempts to drive Gukesh’s knight back to f6. But our champion had other plans. Can you spot his winning idea?

Mastering Restriction Like Magnus Carlsen

When it comes to the art of restriction and prophylaxis, no one rivals the precision of 16th World Champion Magnus Carlsen.

In his iconic “most accurate game in World Chess Championship history,” Carlsen systematically dismantled Black’s active ideas, leaving victory as a mere formality.

Stylistically, Carlsen and Gukesh couldn’t be more different. Carlsen thrives in positions of iron control, while Gukesh excels in chaotic, tactical battles.

Yet, under the guidance of his coach, GM Vishnu Prasanna, Gukesh studied Carlsen’s games closely—focusing on how Magnus predicts and neutralizes his opponent’s plans. This insight transformed Gukesh into an even deadlier attacker.

With his opponent’s counterplay stifled, Gukesh could unleash his offense freely, pressing his advantage at the perfect moment.

One of his signature tools for restriction? The pin. In this example, a single pin immobilizes four (!) of Black’s pieces, forcing a losing move. Can you spot the masterstroke?

Conclusion

Over 325 years ago, Sir Isaac Newton famously remarked:

Gukesh Dommaraju’s rise to greatness mirrors this sentiment.

By absorbing the brilliance of Anand, the tactical mastery of Kasparov, and the positional dominance of Carlsen, Gukesh has crafted his own unique, high-pressure style that has captivated the chess world.

And the best part? You can learn to play like him.

Dive into Master Moves: Gukesh to explore 150 of his finest games and uncover the key elements that define his play.

From his dazzling knight maneuvers and relentless attacks to his queen-led assaults and signature pawn breaks—this guide dissects Gukesh’s gameplay so you can apply these strategies to your own.

Are you ready to embrace the “Guki-style” and take your game to the next level?