Dhoni and Djokovic's pressure-soaking ability attracts D Gukesh

NEW DELHI: India's rising chess star, D Gukesh, finds inspiration in the composure and resilience exhibited by two sporting legends: former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni and tennis icon Novak Djokovic.

Gukesh, at just 17 years old, made history by winning the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto, securing a spot as the youngest challenger ever for the world title, surpassing a record set by the legendary Garry Kasparov four decades ago.

Gukesh's victory sets up a showdown against reigning world champion Ding Liren of China later in the year. Reflecting on his achievement, Gukesh highlighted his admiration for the way Dhoni and Djokovic handle pressure, labeling them as big-game players who consistently deliver their best performances when it matters most.

While Dhoni led India to two World Cup victories and guided Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, Djokovic boasts a record 24 Grand Slam titles, with more potentially on the horizon. Gukesh's appreciation for their ability to excel under pressure underscores his own desire to emulate their success on the chessboard.

Additionally, Gukesh draws motivation from Norwegian chess maestro Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion, whose decision to withdraw from the 2024 tournament due to a lack of motivation has resonated with many young players, including Gukesh. Carlsen's influence serves as a driving force for aspiring chess players, inspiring them to strive for excellence in the game.

"There are a lot of things you can learn from him (Carlsen). Not just chess, but also the mental attitude. He has one of the best mentalities in the world in any sport, I would say."

The champion Grandmaster added that all chess players would have felt nervous during their careers but, with experience, they learn to handle it.

"We all get nervous, and with experience, we all learn how to deal with it. Yeah, I guess some maturity and practice."

Gukesh is eagerly anticipating the challenge from reigning world champion Ding Liren and is gearing up for the summit clash, with preparations set to commence soon. Excitingly, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) is actively exploring the possibility of hosting the world title contest within the country.

"My training for the final will start soon, and I hope it will be very enjoyable.

The legendary Kasparov lauded Gukesh's feat in the Candidates, saying the teenaged GM was "the Indian earthquake in Toronto".

The Chennai lad said it means a lot to him.

"Kasparov is one of my heroes and one of the greatest chess players of all time, and to get a huge compliment and notice from him, it really means a lot," he said.

On cricket, Gukesh said he hadn't been following cricket lately but he was an avid sports lover.

"Recently, I haven't followed cricket a lot. But I enjoy all kinds of sports, especially tennis. I like to play some sports, and generally, I am just in love with sports," he said.

(With PTI inputs)