Gukesh answers fan questions in an X Ask Me Anything
Among the new generation of chess stars whose journey captivates fans, World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju tops the list. His historic World Championship win, his approach, his "aura", it all just clicks! Naturally, fans are more curious to get a peek into his world. Recently, Gukesh took to X for an Ask Me Anything session. Some answers offered great insights, others were fun and inspirational and a few even came as surprises! Fans asked him questions from chess to his life outside of chess. Gukesh answered with maturity, honesty, and a quiet charm that has already won him admirers across the globe. So, who is the person behind the prodigy? Let's find out. Photo: Global Chess League
Gukesh IRL!
World Champion, yes. But also a regular human being. Just like us. A Paneer Butter Masala lover. A Dhoni fan. A few days ago, Gukesh took to X (formerly Twitter) for an AMA and gave fans a glimpse into his life. Fans asked everything from chess questions to food, superstition, and life outside the board. So, what happens when fans get a direct line to the World Champion?
Gukesh Responds to Fan Questions:
ナイク #AlwaysBelieveInSeb: I was truly amazed, and I'll never forget how patiently you clicked pictures and signed autographs for fans at the FIDE World Cup. What's your secret?
Gukesh: Thank you! I have always been grateful for the fans for all the love and support and whenever I find time, I try to do the least in return!
Vihaan: Classical is your forte. Did you do any special preparation for Rapid and Blitz for GCL? Also, you don’t play much online on @chesscom or TTs. Is there a reason for that?
Gukesh: I think improving my general Chess strength is the key for all formats and that has been the focus! Online, I avoid in general simply because I don't enjoy it as much as otb.
Sheetal Taank: Hello Gukesh, I want to know what your favorite North Indian dish?
Gukesh: Roti Paneer Butter Masala!
Mithun Mahajan: Who is your biggest anchor... inside as well as outside chess??
Gukesh: A Lot of people. I think it's hard to pinpoint one, but parents, trainers, friends, etc.
Saksham: Among the 8 candidates, which one would you want to play in the WC26? (Considering you have to pick a name)
Gukesh: Pragg!
Tamil updates plus: If IPL were a Chess Tournament, which team do you want to play Gukesh?
Gukesh: Always been a Dhoni Fan. So, CSK for sure!
Apex Legends: If you could change one rule of chess for a dramatic GCL season to create more chaotic/interesting games, what would it be and why?
Gukesh: I think it's already exciting enough.
Priya Swamy: Who are you considering as a team for your WC matches? You have said Richard Rapport is creative. Any plan to work with him?
Gukesh: 😂 we will find out later!
Samarth Kokra: Hey Gukesh, my name is Samarth and first of all, I want to tell you that I am a big fan of you. My question is, if you had not been a chess player, what profession would you have been in?
Gukesh: Probably an individual sport like Tennis or Badminton!
Sports Day with Gukesh in Bangalore! | Video: ChessBase India
Shashikant Kore: Do your parents ask you to complete your graduation?
Gukesh: Till a couple of years back, yes. But then Mom gave up hope.😂
Govind Khiste: As a World Champion and Global Chess League icon who emphasizes that success is incomplete without kindness and humility, how will you make sure these values continue to guide you and inspire those around you?
Gukesh: I think not hurting anyone and focusing on doing your work as best as you can is the way and sometimes it's tough, but I try my best.
Avieejit: Dear Gukesh, You are truly an inspiration to the youth across the world. If you have to put across your "success mantra" in one sentence, what will that be?
Gukesh: Never give up!
Rahul Verma: What’s the first thing you look for when you sit down at the board?
Gukesh: To make myself comfortable!
Ayush: Hi Gukesh, how did you master the endgame and what is your favourite opening?
Gukesh: I think nobody has mastered the endgames, but I have been pretty good at it. And my favourite opening would be my childhood favourite - the King's Indian.
Rasal Singh Deol: Is intuition your secret weapon, or does calculation rule your decisions on the board?
Gukesh: I think both work together for every decision. Some players trust one more than the other. I have had a history of calculating more!
Kajal Panday: What’s the strangest superstition you’ve seen among chess players during tournaments?
Gukesh: I have seen someone hovering over the piece a few times before making the move…
krishna Gupta: Which tournament atmosphere pushes you to play your absolute best — quiet halls or energetic crowds?
Gukesh: Depends… but I think it's mostly about the mindset. I have more than the atmosphere, but it's more fun to play in huge halls with a lot of players, like in the Olympiads.
Ishan: What’s the most underrated skill in chess today?
Gukesh: Maybe Endgames? Not sure.
Yashasvi Mittal: Which match from your past still teaches you something today?
Gukesh: I think all the games leave a lesson, but one that strikes me the most is Round 7 against Alireza in the Candidates.
Dilbar: What’s the one tournament memory that still gives you goosebumps?
Gukesh: Winning the Chennai GM 2023, considering the stakes and the form I was in.
deep: What’s the one rule you’d love to tweak in competitive chess?
Gukesh: I have thought about how easy it would be if the Board was reversed like the right corner h1 being a dark square!?
Sakshi kumari: What was the toughest decision you’ve ever made over the chessboard?
Gukesh: I think every game has some tough decisions. Maybe recently, going for a draw against Magnus in Zagreb was the toughest.
Mohan Sharma: Is there any opening you once hated but now absolutely love?
Gukesh: Interesting, maybe Catalan.
Meera Das: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned from analyzing your own games?
Gukesh: Sometimes I look back and feel surprised by how effortless some very tough decisions were, especially some of my best games.
Tejas Tiwari: What has been the biggest impact of GCL on your game, and has the league format changed your overall chess approach?
Gukesh: It has brought for sure a glamorous look to Chess. Its nice to play as a team, but I would not say it has changed my overall approach!
amayra kaur: Has playing with engines every day made you more creative, or has it sometimes killed your natural imagination?
Gukesh: Training with computers has benefits and drawbacks. You learn a lot of new concepts and it makes work easier. But if it crosses the line, it can kill some of the creativity.
Fakir saha: Pre-game ritual? Coffee, chess, repeat! I also like to listen to music to get me pumped up.
Gukesh: I usually meditate briefly.
Krishay Pandey: Which is your favourite place to play chess at home? The living room, your room or some other secret spot?
Gukesh: My room! It is usually peaceful.
Gukesh's room tour. | Video: ChessBase India
Lukechessonyt123: You think you will be world no.1?
Gukesh: I know I will give my absolute best for it. But whether or not it happens, I would be happy with the effort I put in.😃
Unholy Dash: How would you rate your overall team vs competitors for this GCL Season 3? Which team do you think is strongest on a paper basis, current form?
Gukesh: I have great teammates and would be great to pair up with Arjun again, especially. I think all the teams have great players in it, so it will be fun!
ssproduction4769: Will you consider streaming some chess online events or other stuff in the near future? I hope it will be fun for you and us also if it happens.
Gukesh: I have no plans of doing that and I highly doubt it will happen in the future, too. But there are many great creators who do a lot for Chess!
ZONE: Hi Gukesh, Are you surprised with the list of Candidates this year or do you think it's quite normal? When would you start preparing to defend your title?
Gukesh: I think there is nothing to be surprised about; all of them got a chance and made the most of it. That is what sport is. You can't say I’m stronger, so I deserve to be there. You need to show up and perform. All the guys there did that! I am working on improving myself now!
paneertikka: Do you feel that you've got that extra pressure of being the World Champion while playing??? Or do you just play the game like before????
Gukesh: For sure, there is extra pressure. I feel it too. But with each change, I have adapted sooner or later in my career so far. I’m sure I will do that this time too!
Tapesnu Bain: Are you planning to play any meme opening in the GCL Tournament? For example, Bongcloud/Alien Gambit or maybe a newly invented Surprise Meme opening by the World Champion himself?
Gukesh: I don't really see the point in openings like that and I will certainly not do that.
Amit Kamath: On average, how many hours does your chess training go on for? And does this change depending on whether you have a game that day?
Gukesh: On a normal day, around 6 hours, but if I have a game that day, for sure it's less because playing itself takes a few hours. I need energy for that.
Jyotirmoy Halder: Hello Gukesh, recently, Anish mentioned that you have different modes that you’re one person when you’re playing a game and another when you’re, for example, attending a wedding. Is it something natural, or is it a mindset you’ve developed through practice?
Gukesh: It has mostly been natural and I have been similar outside of Chess too, but the last couple of years, I’m more engaging and open outside of Chess, but it was never through effort. Everything happened on its own.
