At a special event organized by the All India Chess Federation (AICF), world champions D Gukesh and Koneru Humpy were felicitated for their remarkable achievements. Gukesh, who made history as the youngest player to win the World Chess Championship, received an award of Rs 1 crore, while Humpy was celebrated for her second World Rapid title. Both champions expressed their gratitude and excitement for the future of Indian chess
BY PC Bureau
D Gukesh, the newly-crowned World Chess Champion, is optimistic about the future of chess, particularly its potential inclusion in the Olympics. Speaking at a recent function organized by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) to celebrate his world title and the triumph of World Rapid champion Koneru Humpy, the 18-year-old prodigy expressed his desire to see chess become part of the Olympic curriculum. Gukesh, who recently defeated China’s Ding Liren in Singapore to claim the world title, said that adding chess to the Olympics would elevate the sport to new heights, especially in India, where the game has been gaining popularity. “I would love to see chess in the Olympics, especially if it’s in India. I think chess has been getting a lot of popularity and support, and the Olympics will take it to the next level,” Gukesh said.
The AICF announced an award of Rs 1 crore for Gukesh to honor his achievement of becoming the youngest-ever Grandmaster to win the World Chess Championship. Additionally, Gukesh’s support team received Rs 50 lakh for their contributions during his preparation for the event. As Gukesh looks ahead, he plans to focus on upcoming tournaments, including the prestigious Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, which he will play in next. “We were all celebrating, and then it majorly settled down. Now I’m on to the next tournament,” he said.
Gukesh Receives India’s Highest Sports Honor
In another milestone for the young champion, Gukesh is set to receive the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor, from the President on Friday. “I feel very honoured to receive the Khel Ratna award and after Vishy sir, me being the second Indian chess player to receive the award is really special,” Gukesh expressed. His recognition underscores the growing prominence of chess in India, a nation with a rich history of producing world-class chess players.
Koneru Humpy Reflects on India’s Chess Success
Meanwhile, Koneru Humpy, who recently clinched her second World Rapid title in New York, shared her thoughts on the successes of Indian chess in the last year. “Chess has given four gold medals to the country in 2024. This felicitation is special because I know how hard it is for a chess player to reach this level,” said Humpy, who became the second woman ever, after China’s Ju Wenjun, to win the World Rapid title twice. She emphasized that all of India’s chess success belonged to the country, adding that more recognition for young talent is needed to nurture the next generation of players.
Having been part of the chess world for over 30 years, Humpy reflected on the evolving support for chess in India. “Most of the time we look at cricket as a major sport, but we have a lot of talent in the country. Youngsters need a small push to achieve that success,” she said, reinforcing her belief in the potential for more young chess players to shine on the global stage.
Balancing Fame and Focus
As both Gukesh and Humpy continue to make headlines in the chess world, they remain grounded in their commitment to the sport. Gukesh, despite his newfound fame, remains focused on his next tournament, eager to prove himself further in the international chess arena. “It’s a challenge to balance things with my new-found status, but I’m trying to stay focused on my game,” he said. Both champions are shaping the future of chess in India, inspiring countless young players across the nation and beyond.
