“We must learn how to lend ourselves to dreaming when dreams lend themselves to us.” – Albert Camus
A seismic event has just occurred in the chess world. Hold your horses! It’s not an earthquake, but a far more calculated move that felt like a sonic boom. We are buzzing with happiness for the new world champion in the house, Gukesh Dommaraju. He has just rewritten the rules of the game, thanks to his strategic brilliance and cool composure. It wasn’t just a victory, but in this ballet of pawns and kings, he demonstrated a finesse like a seasoned veteran. Each step he took was deliberate and precise, and each attack was a calculated risk that paid off in spades. He didn’t just beat his opponents, but also outsmarted, outwitted, and ultimately outplayed them. In his final battle, he defeated Ding Liren of China and claimed the world champion title.
Chess is like a silent conversation across 64 squares. It’s a mind game that requires strategy and a vision to look beyond the pieces on a chessboard. If we say that chess tests the limits and intuition of the human mind, that statement won’t be a hyperbole. This also tells us that the success of Gukesh didn’t happen overnight. It is a result of countless sleepless nights, hard work, focus, dedication and unwavering support of his coaches, family and, of course, the Indian Chess Community.
The Pursuit of A Long-Nursed Dream:
Our grandparents used to say, ‘Tajmahal wasn’t built in a day’. This means we must be consistent with our efforts if we want to achieve something with a whole heart. This saying fits all those budding stars who are in pursuit of a dream or any goal. Gukesh nursed a dream and made it his goal. The young boy from Chennai became the second youngest grandmaster at the tender age of 12 years and ever since his name has been a hot topic of conversation on the chess circuit. But natural raw talent isn’t the only magic recipe for success; even raw talents need polishing. As everyone has to face inner and outer demons, Gukesh has gone through immense struggles and faced frustrating defeats and inevitable outcomes. We all tend to doubt ourselves, but in order to accomplish our dreams, we must overcome it. And Gukesh showed everyone that not only he has overcome it, but also conquered it.
The Decisive Moves & Impeccable Strategies:
In a game of chess, the ability to see beyond the surface gives you an edge. It’s like predicting every outcome of your move before it actually happens. In order to achieve this impeccable foresight, a player must analyze his game closely. Over the years, Gukesh not only meticulously analyzed his game, polished his skills, and acquired a level of sharpness that finally became his symbolic style.
Did you get a chance to witness his bout? His absolute form kept everyone mesmerized and hooked on the game. If we closely see his Midgame, Late Midgame and Endgame, his masterclass and finesse surely blow our minds. During his Midgame, Gukesh made a subtle trade by trading a minor piece for a strategically placed pawn. Now this seems quite an ordinary move, but in fact, with this unassuming move, he was able to control important squares on the chess board. And this restricted his opponent’s options. Though it seemed like an ordinary move, nonetheless, it was a great example of positional play.
During his Late Midgame, Gukesh watched every move like a hawk, and realized a potential threat to his king. And this led to a brilliant series of king maneuvers and consistent attacks on his opponent. Less about aggression, his moves were a result of careful planning and brilliant visionary execution. And of course, Endgame unleashed a powerful, precise attack by Gukesh, who had a small but significant advantage in positioning. All his calculations were impeccable and turned into a forced checkmate that left his opponent no chance of escaping. The endgame showed everyone that Gukesh not only improved his tactical depth but also his ability to transform advantages into victories.
Beyond the Board, The Dreams, Reality and Future:
When dreams become a reality, reality feels dreamlike. After all, his long nursed dream has come true. And we all have witnessed it. The significance of Gukesh’s victory extends beyond him. It’s a pivotal moment in the history of Indian chess. His story has inspired many young aspiring chess players. Hard work and dedication have made him who he is now. It is clear that Gukesh Dommaraju’s brilliance marks the start of a new era and new dawn in the world of chess.
The pursuit of dreams is rarely easy. Gukesh not only pursued his dream but accomplished it. What lies ahead for Gukesh? Like the boundless sky, his journey continues beyond this point. Many more horizons and moons await him.
