Gukesh checkmates Nakamura at Norway Chess Tournament
Stavanger (Norway), May 29 (UNI) World Chess Champion GM Gukesh Dommaraju marked his 19th birthday with a vital victory against GM Hikaru Nakamura in the third round of the Norway Chess 2025 tournament here on Wednesday.
After a shaky start to the event with two narrow losses, Gukesh bounced back emphatically, showcasing improved time management and resilience under pressure.
The match, unfolding in the classical time control, featured the Giuoco Piano opening, where Gukesh surprised World No.2 Nakamura early with the aggressive queenside pawn thrust 13.b4!, disrupting Nakamura's setup. Attempting to counterattack on the kingside, Nakamura came close to salvaging a draw, but a critical misstep with 28...Rd8? gave Gukesh the upper hand.
When Nakamura offered a draw on move 30, Gukesh declined and pressed forward with the move 31.h4!, effectively sealing the game in his favour. Nakamura's last attempt to turn the tide with 31...Na4! was not played, and instead 31...Qd6? hastened his defeat. Gukesh converted the advantage with calm precision, ultimately securing a hard-fought win.
Reflecting on his performance, Gukesh said, "I feel quite good! I think my time management was much better today than before. He [Nakamura] had some drawing chances, but overall it was a good game." The timing of the victory was particularly poignant, coinciding with midnight in India, allowing fans to celebrate the young champion's birthday in unison with his triumph.
Gukesh's win is a significant turnaround after his initial struggles in the tournament, where time pressure and narrow losses threatened to derail his campaign. The victory not only boosts his confidence but also keeps him in contention in the highly competitive field, which includes top grandmasters such as Fabiano Caruana and Magnus Carlsen.
Meanwhile, the tournament's leaderboard saw Caruana take sole lead after defeating GM Arjun Erigaisi, while Carlsen, despite a frustrating armageddon loss to GM Wei Yi, remains firmly in second place.
Norway Chess 2025 continues with round four scheduled for Thursday, promising exciting clashes including a high-stakes encounter between Gukesh and Caruana.
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If you've been following the chess world lately, you've probably heard the name Gukesh Dommaraju — or just D Gukesh, as fans affectionately call him. This Indian chess whiz kid has been making some serious waves, and not just because of his mind-blowing skills on the board. The 18-year-old recently made history, and his bank account is reflecting that big time! Recently, he defeated world no.1 player Magnus Carlsen at Norway chess. Back in December 2024, Gukesh pulled off something most grandmasters only dream about. He became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in history, beating China's Ding Liren in a nail-biting 14-game showdown in Singapore. The final score? A tight 7.5 to 6.5 — enough to break Garry Kasparov's long-standing record as the youngest champ. Yeah, that's right — Kasparov was the GOAT before, but now Gukesh's name is etched alongside the legends. This epic win instantly launched Gukesh into the global spotlight. Chess fans everywhere were in awe, and suddenly, sponsors and brands started circling like bees to honey. And it's not just fame he's got now — it's some serious cash, too. The prize money that's making heads turn You might think chess isn't the most lucrative sport out there, but Gukesh's prize money is proving otherwise. As per reports, in 2024 alone, he raked in around ₹13.6 crore (that's roughly $1.58 million) just from prize winnings in various tournaments. A massive chunk of that came from his World Chess Championship win, where he pocketed about $600,000 (around ₹5.07 crore) for winning three games plus a share of the overall prize pool. To put it simply, Gukesh didn't just win a title — he won big. His championship earnings alone are estimated to be around ₹11.45 crore. Talk about a payoff for all those hours studying openings, middlegames, and endgames! Big brands want a piece of the action It's not just tournament cash that's filling up Gukesh's wallet. Thanks to his rising stardom, he's become a hot favorite for endorsements. He's already signed on as a brand ambassador for big names. Each deal reportedly brings in about ₹60 lakh, adding a nice boost to his overall income. Recognition for Gukesh's achievements has gone beyond cash. His school, Velammal Vidyalaya, showed some serious love by giving him a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This sweet ride is worth anywhere between ₹87 lakh and ₹1.05 crore, making it a luxury reward for his hard work and dedication. Imagine cruising around town in a sleek Mercedes, knowing you earned it all before turning 20. That's some serious motivation for any young athlete or professional. What's the total worth? Putting it all together, as of 2025, Gukesh Dommaraju's net worth is estimated to be over ₹21 crore — that's about $2.5 million, reportedly! This impressive number comes from a mix of tournament prize money, endorsements, sponsorships, and some pretty generous rewards. Gukesh's journey hasn't been overnight He started playing chess when he was just 6 years old and quickly showed promise. By the time he was 12, he was already breaking records as one of the youngest grandmasters ever. His disciplined training, guidance from coaches, and relentless passion helped him climb the ranks at lightning speed. Plus, with Indian chess booming thanks to legends like Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh had great role models and support systems to push him forward. Now, he's the new face of Indian chess and a global superstar. With the title of World Champion under his belt and a solid financial foundation, the sky's the limit for Gukesh. Fans are already excited to see how he handles the pressure of defending his title and continuing to evolve as a player. But if his past is any indication, Gukesh is ready to take on whatever challenges come his way. D Gukesh's story is an inspiring one — a young talent turning dreams into reality and making a fortune doing what he loves. His rise shows that chess isn't just a game of strategy but also a path to fame and financial success in the modern world.
