<p>Bengaluru: In the 24 days between December 12 and the present, D Gukesh has been amidst a frenzy - an aftermath of his achievement on a chess board in a quiet setting. </p><p>Accolades and applause, felicitations and fandom have poured in abundance and the newly crowned world champion, rightfully so, is busy basking in the glory. </p><p>“I was in celebratory mode the first few days. Everything was overwhelming but it sunk in eventually. Yes, it feels good to wake up as the world champion” recollected Gukesh during an event organised by the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) in the city to honour his success on Sunday evening. </p>.Varun Tomar shines in men’s 10m air pistol at 67th Shooting Nationals. <p>“I had thought it was (the welcome) going to be somewhat similar to the one I received after winning the Candidates (in April). But this has been so much more,” said the 18-year-old Grandmaster, who downed China’s Ding Liren in a dramatic fashion on the final day in Singapore last month. </p><p>Becoming the youngest to capture the chess World Championship title also meant that Gukesh was fast tracked by the Indian government to a list of four Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees this week - another cap in his feather that was unexpected yet deserving just like his World Championship crown. </p><p>“During Game 14 (last game when the scores were tied 6.5), I was mentally preparing myself for the tie-breaker already. But in a span of five minutes everything changed. I won in the least expected moment. It was special,” he reminisced. </p><p>With a fresh schedule of a new year staring at him, Gukesh is well aware of slowing letting go of this celebratory phase and is eager to get back to the drawing board. Though the busy schedule forced the latest sporting sensation to withdraw from the World Blitz and Rapid Chess Championships in USA early this month, Gukesh said he will be back in action at the Tata Steel tournament in Wijk aan Zee in Netherlands, beginning January 17. </p><p>“One thing is to manage all this with the training. Of course I needed some recovery period after the win,” he stated. </p><p>“2025 will be a challenging year. There are lots of new interesting new tourneys. WC is in the past and now I have started thinking about new ways to prepare. The goal is the same, to give my best and keep improving. Hopefully, that will help me become the World No. 1.” </p><p>Sitting to Gukesh’s left at the event was his mentor and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand who is deeply familiar with every thing the teenager is experiencing right now. And Vishy’s guidance, to handle all of it that comes with winning and losing, has stretched beyond the chequered board. “I’d say, enjoy,” said Anand. “As you see he is very sensible. It comes from playing the game. He knows he will have to go back and get better again.</p><p>“His win has brought back the spotlight to chess. And Gukesh isn’t alone. There is a large group of players. It’s an interesting and exciting time for Indian chess,” expressed Anand. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: In the 24 days between December 12 and the present, D Gukesh has been amidst a frenzy - an aftermath of his achievement on a chess board in a quiet setting. </p><p>Accolades and applause, felicitations and fandom have poured in abundance and the newly crowned world champion, rightfully so, is busy basking in the glory. </p><p>“I was in celebratory mode the first few days. Everything was overwhelming but it sunk in eventually. Yes, it feels good to wake up as the world champion” recollected Gukesh during an event organised by the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) in the city to honour his success on Sunday evening. </p>.Varun Tomar shines in men’s 10m air pistol at 67th Shooting Nationals. <p>“I had thought it was (the welcome) going to be somewhat similar to the one I received after winning the Candidates (in April). But this has been so much more,” said the 18-year-old Grandmaster, who downed China’s Ding Liren in a dramatic fashion on the final day in Singapore last month. </p><p>Becoming the youngest to capture the chess World Championship title also meant that Gukesh was fast tracked by the Indian government to a list of four Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees this week - another cap in his feather that was unexpected yet deserving just like his World Championship crown. </p><p>“During Game 14 (last game when the scores were tied 6.5), I was mentally preparing myself for the tie-breaker already. But in a span of five minutes everything changed. I won in the least expected moment. It was special,” he reminisced. </p><p>With a fresh schedule of a new year staring at him, Gukesh is well aware of slowing letting go of this celebratory phase and is eager to get back to the drawing board. Though the busy schedule forced the latest sporting sensation to withdraw from the World Blitz and Rapid Chess Championships in USA early this month, Gukesh said he will be back in action at the Tata Steel tournament in Wijk aan Zee in Netherlands, beginning January 17. </p><p>“One thing is to manage all this with the training. Of course I needed some recovery period after the win,” he stated. </p><p>“2025 will be a challenging year. There are lots of new interesting new tourneys. WC is in the past and now I have started thinking about new ways to prepare. The goal is the same, to give my best and keep improving. Hopefully, that will help me become the World No. 1.” </p><p>Sitting to Gukesh’s left at the event was his mentor and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand who is deeply familiar with every thing the teenager is experiencing right now. And Vishy’s guidance, to handle all of it that comes with winning and losing, has stretched beyond the chequered board. “I’d say, enjoy,” said Anand. “As you see he is very sensible. It comes from playing the game. He knows he will have to go back and get better again.</p><p>“His win has brought back the spotlight to chess. And Gukesh isn’t alone. There is a large group of players. It’s an interesting and exciting time for Indian chess,” expressed Anand. </p>