Gukesh D Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Birth name: Dommaraju Gukesh [1] The Bridge

Profession: Chess player

Date of Birth: 29 May 2006 (Monday)

Age (as of 2025): 19 Years

Birthplace: Chennai

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Chennai

Age: 19 Years

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EDUCATION

School: Velammal Vidyalaya, Mel Ayanambakkam, Chennai

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Parents: Father – Rajnikanth (ENT surgeon) Mother – Padma (microbiologist)

Father: Rajnikanth

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Medals/Trophies/Awards: • Won in the U-9 category of the Asian School Chess Championships (2015) in Singapore • Won the 31st National U-11 Open Chess Championship (2017) in Pune, Maharashtra • Won in the U-12 category at the World Cadets Chess Championship (2018) in Santiago de Compostela, Spain • Won five gold medals in U-12 individual rapid and blitz, U-12 team rapid and blitz, and the U-12 individual classical formats at the Asian Youth Chess Championships 2018 • Won the Gelfand Challenge in Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour in June 2021 • Individual gold medal at the Chess Olympiad (2022) • Gaprindashvili Trophy at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary (22 September 2024) • Individual gold medal at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary (22 September 2024) • Won the World Chess Championship by defeating the Chess Champion Ding Liren and became the youngest chess player to hold the title (12 December 2024) • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2025) Note: At Chess Olympiad (2022), his efforts led the Indian team to win the bronze medal following a strong performance with eight consecutive wins in the first eight rounds. However, he blundered a loss in the 10th round to the Uzbek team led by Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

OTHER INFORMATION

FIDE rating: 2699 (August 2022)

Title: Grandmaster Note: In March 2019, he became the third-youngest person in history to qualify for the title of Grandmaster by FIDE. [2] Chess.com

Coach/Mentor: Vishnu Prasanna

Chess player(s): Bobby Fischer, Viswanathan Anand

Actor: Vijay Sethupathi

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Gukesh D, an extraordinary talent in the world of chess, has firmly established himself as one of India’s youngest grandmasters. Born into a family that nurtured his passion, Gukesh embarked on his chess journey at the tender age of seven in 2013. His mother recalls the moment he became enamored with the game, describing his enthusiasm as bordering on obsession. This fervent dedication laid the groundwork for a remarkable rise through the ranks of competitive chess. By March 2018, during the Cappelle-la-Grande Open, he showcased his exceptional skills, earning the title of International Master, which served as a stepping stone to his later accomplishments.

Gukesh’s meteoric rise continued, and by the time he reached the age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, he became the second-youngest grandmaster in history in 2019. Although this achievement was later eclipsed by the American prodigy Abhimanyu Mishra, Gukesh’s record-setting journey did not go unnoticed. His father, a pivotal figure in his chess career, made the significant decision to leave his job to devote himself entirely to supporting Gukesh. In an interview, his father reflected on the sacrifices made, acknowledging the challenges of balancing his professional life with his son’s burgeoning career, yet expressing pride in the results that followed.

As Gukesh honed his skills, he drew inspiration from the playing style of fellow chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, which became a fundamental part of his early development. His dedication and hard work culminated in a historic moment on December 2024, when he ascended to the pinnacle of the chess world by becoming the World Chess Champion. This accomplishment came with substantial recognition, including a cash prize of USD 1.35 million (approximately Rs. 11 Crore), although it was accompanied by the reality of a hefty income tax obligation of Rs. 4.67 crore.

Gukesh’s prowess was further highlighted in June 2025, when he made headlines around the globe by defeating the renowned chess champion Magnus Carlsen during the Norway Chess tournament. This victory marked a significant milestone in his career, as it was the first time he bested the formidable opponent. The aftermath of this match saw Carlsen visibly frustrated, banging the table in reaction to his loss. Gukesh, reflecting on the moment, remarked that such reactions are “normal” among players, admitting that he too has experienced similar frustrations.

However, the celebration of Gukesh’s triumph was marred by a wave of online negativity and racial intolerance from some foreign social media users, who made derogatory comments, including insinuations about Gukesh’s ethnicity. This prompted outrage among Indian netizens, who criticized the moderators of the Norway Chess social media accounts for failing to address the offensive remarks. Gukesh’s journey, marked by incredible achievements and the challenges of navigating the pressures of fame, highlights not only his remarkable talent but also the broader issues of race and respect in the world of sports.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.