While India’s D. Gukesh was busy creating history in Singapore, the youngest and newest world champion’s bank account was filling up with around ₹11.3 crore that he would receive from FIDE as prize money for beating China’s Ding Liren in the final.
While the nickname “multi-millionaire” “means a lot” to the Chennai-based grandmaster, the 18th world champion is not playing the game for material gain.
“Personally, money is not the reason I play chess,” Gukesh said in an interview with FIDE.
When asked what exactly being a multi-millionaire means to him, he replied: “It means a lot. When I started playing chess, we (as a family) had to make some difficult decisions. My parents went through financial and emotional difficulties. Now we are more comfortable and parents don’t have to think about it.”
Gukesh’s father, Dr. Rajnikanth, an ENT specialist, gave up his career to accompany his son in realizing his dreams, while Gukesh’s mother, Padmakumari, who is a microbiologist, became the only earner for the family.
For Gukesh, his parents mean the world. Gukesh’s dad also serves as his manager, taking care of all his off-deck activities and allowing him to concentrate on the game, while his mother is his emotional and spiritual pillar of strength.
“She (mother) keeps saying, ‘I will be happy knowing that you are a great chess player, but I would be happier if I heard that you are a greater person,'” Gukesh said.
The 18-year-old always tries to remember why he started playing chess when he got his first board.
“I’m still a kid who loves chess. “It used to be the coolest toy,” he said.
