Gukesh's historic World Chess Championship win offers a life lesson for us all

The toughest people break down under pressure, but for D Gukesh, it was not the weight of expectations that overwhelmed him — it was the realisation that he had become the new World Chess Champion. At just 18, Gukesh had embodied the English expression “poker face” throughout most of the 2024 World Chess Championship. However, when he realised Ding Liren had blundered by moving his rook to f2 in the final moments of Game 14 , the Indian Grandmaster finally allowed his emotions to take over, revealing themselves in his conduct and body language.

Getting up from his chair to retreat into a corner and process what was about to unfold, returning to the board for a handshake as Liren resigned, sensing his impending defeat, and finally breaking down into tears of joy — this was a side of Gukesh we had never seen during the two weeks in Singapore at the World Chess Championship.

Gukesh shows good things are worth the wait

It was a stark contrast to the composed prodigy who has dominated the Indian chess news cycle for nearly a year.

One of the best chess players going around, teenager Gukesh has made his mark not just with some of the sharpest strategists on the board but also by staying composed under pressure. Whether it was winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament at the tender age of 17 in 2024 or competing in the long-drawn high-stakes World Chess Championship at just 18 , he never let the occasion overwhelm him.

And while what we saw after he became the youngest chess world champion of all time was both natural and surprising, it shattered the myth that he doesn’t feel pressure or emotions.

Gukesh may not be as outwardly expressive as other teenagers, victories and defeats affect him just like anyone else. The difference lies in his ability to channel those emotions constructively, without making them a spectacle.

However, after his historic World Chess Championship 2024 win, he didn’t hold back. For once, he allowed himself to express his emotions freely. This not only gave media outlets and social media influencers plenty of material but also reinforced an important lesson: focus is the ultimate key to success.

“It was probably the best moment of my life,” Gukesh said after becoming the youngest chess world champion. “I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win that position. I was going to press for as long as I could possibly but I thought that we have been playing for five-six hours and it is going to end in a draw and let’s focus on the tiebreaks but suddenly, I saw Rf2, I realised that it is actually done.

“I was already preparing myself to go through that huge tiebreak fight and suddenly, it was all over and I had achieved my dream. I am not someone who shows a lot of emotions but this one can be forgiven.”

Gukesh epitomises Arjuna’s dedication in World Championship win

Just like Arjuna, whose unwavering focus was fixed on the fish’s eye, Gukesh had his sights set solely on the World Championship. Every other emotion until then was immaterial. How he felt, what he wanted, and what could have been were mere distractions — not the end result.

That moment was still to come.

To reach it successfully, especially against a 32-year-old reigning world champion with far more experience, Gukesh’s focus had to be unshakable. While his natural composure and tendency to hide his emotions worked in his favour, that alone wasn’t enough. It required a different kind of burning desire — something the 18-year-old prodigy has always possessed in abundance.

“I know that I am not going to sleep tonight but I am just probably going to hang out with my friends, my team. I would like to talk with a lot of people. I will reveal one secret. Gajew (trainer Grzegorz Gajewski) will be very happy to hear this. On the rest day after Game 9, we went for a walk on the beach. I am personally quite scared of heights. We both looked at people who were trying bungee jumping and he said if I win, he is going to do bungee jumping. And then, I don’t know why said this but I told him that I will also join him. Probably, Paddy (Upton) can also join us. I’m looking forward to jumping off a bridge.” Gukesh added at the post-Game 14 press conference.

The way he praised Ding and acknowledged world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen while reflecting on his victory highlighted his grounded personality. This humility likely explains why the pressure didn’t affect him as it does others. Despite being on the verge of becoming the youngest world chess champion of all time, Gukesh never thought he was bigger than the game.

“What I learned for Ding is what an incredible fighter he is. Ding is the real inspiration for me,” he said. “Obviously, becoming the world champion does not mean that I am the best player in the world. That is Magnus Carlsen. It is also a motivating factor that there is someone at a very high level and that it is something that will keep me doing the right things, working hard, and trying to reach the level of greatness that Magnus has achieved.”

If not for his humility and determination, Gukesh might not have been able to bounce back in the World Chess Championship after being stunned in the very first game by an out-of-form Ding, who was playing with the black pieces. Ding entered the competition openly admitting he was “worried about losing badly” after failing to win a single classical game in 11 months.

To understand Gukesh’s mental fortitude, consider this: he was humbled in the opening match by a player dismissed by nearly all top Grandmasters . Yet, instead of hitting the panic button, Gukesh reminded himself that the battle was long and that one defeat meant nothing.

“It can happen; it’s a long match. About my opponent’s form, I expected nothing else. I expected the best version of him, and we have a long match ahead, so it’s only more exciting now,” Gukesh said after the defeat in Game 1 .

How right he was!

Gukesh had the opportunity to close out the Championship before Game 14 but squandered multiple chances. While Carlsen and others were quite scathing in their assessments throughout the match, Gukesh deserves some slack — after all, he is just 18.

For others, there is much to learn from his journey to the top and the way he claimed the world crown. Talent is important, but many are equally or even more talented. What truly sets a champion apart from the rest is temperament, hunger, and determination. If we make our goal the very purpose of our life, nothing can stop us from achieving it.