Preparing for UPSC? Here's your chance to work with Swarajya

♟️ How Gukesh's Chess Crown Was Forged

Dear Reader,

In Tamil Nadu, 12/12 of every year is Rajnikanth Day. Superstar Rajnikanth’s birthday. But now a new star has risen. From 12/12/24, this date will carry another significance — Rajnikanth's son's day.

India's chess prodigy, Dommaraju Gukesh, whose father's name too is Rajnikanth, rewrote history by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion at just 18 years, 8 months, and 14 days.

The championship itself mirrored the thrill of a Rajinikanth movie. After losing the first game, Gukesh clawed back, match by match, until a critical error by Ding Liren in the 14th game turned the tide. And just like that, Gukesh made chess history.

Gukesh’s journey to this pinnacle wasn’t just about raw talent—it was a meticulously planned campaign. From a team of strategists and Grandmasters to mental conditioning by Paddy Upton (remember him from the 2011 Cricket World Cup win? Or the Bronze in Men's Hockey in Paris Olympics?), nothing was happenstance.

This wasn’t just chess; Gukesh's story is of resilience, vision, and heart. Nothing was left to chance by Gukesh and his team at Singapore. His victory owes it to multiple factors, chief of which his ability to do the right things at the right moments.

India now ranks 5th globally in the number of Grandmasters. From just one GM in 1988 (Anand) to 84 today, our chess ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. And Gukesh, mentored by Anand himself, is now the crown jewel of this rise.

Here's K Balakumar's article on How Gukesh's Successful World Championship Campaign Was Conceived.

Also, read his previous piece on how Vishy Anand Made An Entire City And A Country Re-Discover Chess.

Until next time,

Anmol N Jain

Attention UPSC Aspirants!

Preparing for UPSC?

Here is your chance to secure an internship with Swarajya while you prepare for the exam.

At Swarajya, we do the difficult task of supplementing the well-read Indian's knowledge base and further informing her worldview. To do this, we rely on team members who are diligent consumers of news on politics, economics, social issues, tech and governance. 

We're now bringing back the Swarajya Service Aspirants Program (SAP) where candidates preparing (or, who were preparing) for UPSC examinations can join us.

We're onboarding candidates for SAP and look forward to reviewing applications for the same.

Here are some details:

- Stipend upto Rs 25,000/month

- Location: Swarajya's Noida office

- 5 days work-week

- 6-12 months duration

- Work that complements your preparation

Interested? Write to us at jobs@swarajyamag.com with the following:

- About yourself in 140 characters.

- Attach a resumé

- Attach 1-3 writing samples (if available).

All the best!