World champion D Gukesh recently revealed his plans for the whopping prize money of Rs 11.45 crore after his historic victory over Ding Liren, which made him the youngest world champion in the history of chess. The 18-year-old’s journey to the pinnacle of chess has been deeply influenced by the unwavering support of his parents, who made immense sacrifices to nurture his passion for the game. Chess, being an expensive sport, required significant financial investment, and Gukesh shared how his parents dedicated all their resources to ensure he could pursue his dreams. When the family faced financial difficulties, it was the generosity of his parents’ friends—who stepped in to sponsor him—that allowed him to continue his chess journey.
“First of all, I am very happy for my parents. They had to struggle a lot for me. They burnt all their bridges so I could pursue my passion. They faced severe financial challenges,” Gukesh exclusively told Sports Today. “It was my parents’ friends, their college mates, who sponsored us when we were struggling financially. Going through all these struggles and achieving this financial stability now, for my parents and their friends, means so much to me.”
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Gukesh’s parents, Rajnikanth and Padmakumari, would ensure that their son could chase his dream by making a lot of sacrifices. Rajnikanth gave up a lucrative career as an ENT surgeon to accompany Gukesh to tournaments, while Padmakumari, a microbiologist, became the family’s sole earner.
What Gukesh will do with prize money
Reflecting on the significance of his achievement, he added, “To have given this peace to my parents—it means a lot to me. Personally, I never really thought too much about money, but I understand it is a very important part of life. I will use this amazing gift that God has given us to improve ourselves and to help us reach our full potential.”
Gukesh won the title after beating Liren in the final game of the World Chess Championship with a scoreline of 7.5-6.5.
