A Maturity Beyond His Years: Gukesh’s last round mastery & control
Gukesh: “I was just in a mental state where I just do my job properly.”
Picture this: the final round of the Candidates Tournament, tension swirling like a tempest in the air. Gukesh, a young GM from Chennai, finds himself in the lead, with Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, and Caruana hot on his heels, separated by a mere half point.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The last round sets the stage for a showdown of epic proportions: Caruana and Nepo locked in a must-win duel, while Nakamura and Gukesh engage in a game where a loss spells disaster for the Indian prodigy. A win secures his Challenger’s spot without question; a draw leaves him at the mercy of tiebreaks.
“I was just in a mental state where I just do my job properly, play a good game, and see what happens,” Gukesh reflects afterward. And boy, did he deliver! With nerves of steel, he unveils a brilliant opening idea, initially raising eyebrows but ultimately earning praise from Magnus Carlsen himself.
As the tension mounts on the other board, chaos reigns supreme. Nepo’s ambitious start fizzles out, leaving Caruana with all the chances in the world. But amidst the drama, Gukesh remains a picture of calm, his focus unwavering as he patiently awaits the outcome of the Caruana-Nepo clash.
But let’s peel back the layers, shall we? Gukesh, just 17 years old, faces off against World No.3 with the Black pieces. It’s a daunting challenge, but Gukesh tackles it with the maturity and poise of a seasoned pro, leaving no room for counterplay. He wasn’t dragged by fear or enthusiasm – as he could -, risking to lose the game.
Throughout the nail-biting finale, Gukesh’s determination is palpable. We have many clicks where Gukesh is watching the Caruana-Nepo game to evaluate the result he wants from his own game, a true display of his strategic foresight. Every move, every decision seemed calculated, a testament to his desire to control his destiny.
And when victory finally comes knocking – and only then -, Gukesh’s joy is infectious, his celebrations a testament to the hard work and dedication that brought him to this moment. Yet amidst the tension, Gukesh maintained his composure, graciously shaking Caruana’s hand and exemplifying true sportsmanship.
In the end, Gukesh’s flawless performance, both on and off the board, cements his status as a chess prodigy for the ages. As the youngest Challenger in history by over three years, he’s not just rewriting the narrative of chess—he paves the way for India just like his hero, Viswanathan Anand sir, did.
