Gukesh’s victory as the World Chess Champion at 18 proves the power of mental resilience in sports

By K.R. Nayar
From Mumbai 

It was interesting to read the headlines in the different Indian newspapers after D. Gukesh was crowned as the youngest World Chess Champion on December 12, 2024, at just 18 years. It seemed as if each of the leading dailies were competing with each other to proudly display Gukesh’s historic feat. "Gukesh, King at 18" said Hindustan Times on the front page. "History at 18"declared the Indian Express. The Hindu, the newspaper from Gukesh’s city Chenai, gave the headline: "Gukesh—From Crown Prince to King". The Times of India simply said: "Chakde India", while the Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi called it "Ashwamedham".

 

D Gukesh creates history at 18. Photos  FIDE

While everyone highlighted the fact that Gukesh had won the covered crown at just 18 years, what amazed everyone was his extraordinary mental strength. Two individuals who have played a significant role in shaping this mental strength were chess legend Viswanathan Anand, and Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning coach of the Indian cricket team during their 2011 World Cup victory.

 

Though I primarily report on cricket, I have often covered Viswanathan Anand’s matches in Dubai, Sharjah, and Al Ain. This gave me the opportunity to closely interact with Anand — Gukesh’s mentor — and interview him on a number of occasions. In every interaction, Anand would emphasise the importance of mental preparation and strength. In one of interviews, Anand had said: “Wanting to learn more and keeping my curiosity high have been the two factors that helped me do well. To constantly better yourself is a goal in itself.”

 

 Viswanathan Anand in conversation with yours sincerely 

I have carefully preserved every interview with Anand, and once I even got him to autograph on a copy of one of those interviews. I often revisit those stories for reference, finding inspiration in his views on positivity and mental strength. Gukesh seems to have diligently followed Anand’s wisdom. Anand often says: “Enjoy the game, play a lot, and study the game well. The main thing is one has to enjoy the game. Then it turns out to be much easier.”

 

Anand had once surprised me by revealing his dedication to fitness. He said he spends two hours in the gym daily. “Stamina has become a crucial factor. It gets very tiring towards the end of a tournament. Not getting tired can help salvage a half-point here and there, which can otherwise prove very costly. Moreover, being fit helps you get over tension more easily.” These insights resonate in Gukesh’s performance as well, especially in the post-match press conference after his historic win where echoes of Anand’s philosophy were evident.

 

Similarly, I had the chance to speak with Paddy Upton, both during his tenure as the Indian cricket team’s conditioning coach as well as when he was guiding Lahore Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League. When I had asked Upton on what was his advice to players, he had said: “I tell everyone to focus on the process and leave the result to take care of itself.” To help players manage tension, Upton says: “Whether you're facing a chessboard, a cricket pitch, or your own challenges, remember: the power lies in focusing your attention on the present moment.”

 

Paddy Upton 

Upton has also played a key role in the Indian hockey team clinching a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His book, The Barefoot Coach, is a must-read for all athletes. His advice to Gukesh was profound: “If you want to do well in an exam or test, you need to study the whole book exceptionally well. Then you can go into that exam with confidence. You don’t go in with hope.” 

After Gukesh’s historic win, Upton remarked: “In terms of studying the whole book for a World Chess Championship title, Gukesh has truly done just that.”

 

Gukesh’s path to the title will now serve as an inspiration for rising stars. He emphasises the importance of dreaming about success: “From the time I started playing chess, I have been dreaming about this moment. I have been living this moment for more than 10 years.” 

 

D Gukesh's winning moment 

Gukesh also revealed that he learned how to remain calm and composed from his childhood idol, former Indian cricket captain M.S. Dhoni.  Something that was evident in all his games was his calm and composed mindset, systematic preparation, and excellent time management, and his ability to tackle high pressure moments without wavering. In fact, he is said to have turned some of his losses during the 14 day competition into his strength and focus ahead.  By mastering the art of  strong resilience and adaptability, he was also able to unsettle some of his opponents by exerting  time pressure and making unbelievable moves to gain that psychological edge. 

 

For Gukesh, everyday is a lesson in life. What we can learn from Gukesh’s achievement today is that mindset is what separates the best from the rest.