It truly has been sweet seventeen for D Gukesh, the new whiz kid of Indian chess. In June last year, when he had just turned seventeen, this Chennai wonder talent had signalled his high aspirations by beating none other than the 5-time world champion Magnus Carlsen in a blitz event. Just as he gets ready for his next birthday, Gukesh comes up with another spectacular show, winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto on debut and what is more to become the youngest player ever to do so! Undoubtedly it is one of the greatest moments in Indian sports, let alone chess. Later this year he would be facing the reigning champion Ding Liren of China for the World championship title as the youngest challenger in the history of the sport. It was the Russian legend Garry Kasparov who had earlier held that record, having done it in 1984 when he was little over 20. Kasparov as we all know went on to become the king for multiple tenures.

Now it is time for Gukesh to take over. As Kasparov himself put it after noting the young lad’s success, it was an “ Indian earthquake in Toronto”! Coming from a legend, it meant much for the young mind. Indeed with three Indians in Canada for the event in the men’s section _ Praggnanandha and Vidit Gujrathi being the other two_ the focus was on them. But Gukesh proved he was the one ready for the big........

© Mathrubhumi English