In a captivating episode of Beyond the Board, Grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna sits down with the newly crowned World Chess Champion, Gukesh Dommaraju, to discuss his meteoric rise, the challenges he faced, and the mindset that propelled him to the pinnacle of chess. Their conversation offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a champion – revealing not just his technical prowess but also his emotional resilience, training philosophy, and the lessons learned along the way.

Gukesh’s journey began at the age of seven, when he first discovered chess. At that time, he was too young to see it as a career – he simply loved the game and spent countless hours playing. By the time he was mature enough to understand what a professional chess career entailed, he was already excelling, deciding to pursue it as a natural one. His parents and early coaches played a crucial role in nurturing his talent, recognizing his potential long before he did. One of the defining moments in his early career came in 2018, when he earned his final Grandmaster norm in Bangkok. Though there was an element of luck, his determination and fighting spirit stood out. Vishnu recalls that this was when he truly believed Gukesh had a shot at becoming the youngest Grandmaster – a title he narrowly missed by 16 days.

However, Gukesh’s real transformation occurred during the pandemic. Before 2020, he was primarily focused on playing tournaments without a structured training regimen. The lockdown forced a shift – giving him the time to refine his approach, develop disciplined routines, and work on his physical and mental fitness. This period marked his evolution from a promising junior to a world-class professional. The results soon followed, proving that his dedication to improvement was paying off.

Despite his success, Gukesh has faced his share of setbacks. He admits that losses still affect him deeply, but he has learned to recover faster. Two of his most challenging phases were missing the record for youngest Grandmaster and the grueling process of qualifying for the 2024 Candidates Tournament. The latter, in particular, was emotionally draining. The pressure was immense, but his mindset shifted when he accepted that failure was a possibility.

“When I was having this thought like, ‘Okay, if I don’t make this, it’s really bad,’ it just created more pressure,” he explains. “Once I accepted that failure was possible, I managed to overcome it.”

A recurring theme in Gukesh’s career is his self-imposed expectations. His ambition is both his greatest strength and, at times, his biggest challenge. He sets extraordinarily high standards for himself – often higher than what others expect of him.

“No third person has bigger expectations of me than what I have for myself,” he says.

Recently, he has learned to balance this ambition with practical goals, making his approach more sustainable.

Mental preparation has been a key factor in Gukesh’s growth. Early in his career, he struggled with carrying emotions from one game to the next – whether after a win or a loss. Over time, practices like yoga, meditation, and structured reflection helped him reset more quickly. His first elite tournament, Tata Steel 2023, was a harsh but invaluable learning experience. Transitioning from open tournaments to facing super-GMs like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana was a wake-up call. He played too aggressively and was punished for it.

“I learned what I needed to change, what I needed to improve, and how to use my strengths better,” he reflects.

This experience proved crucial – soon after, he won the World Cup, demonstrating his ability to adapt at the highest level.

Behind every great player is a strong support system, and Gukesh’s coaches have played a pivotal role in his development. His first coach, Basa Sir, instilled in him a deep love for the game, sharing stories of chess legends that fueled his passion. GM Vishnu Prasanna helped him understand the psychological aspects of chess – how emotions influence decision-making. His current coach, GM Grzegorz Gajewski, brought elite-level preparation and strategic insights. One particularly touching moment came after Gukesh’s worst tournament (Grand Swiss 2023). Despite the disappointment, Gajewski woke up at 4 AM in freezing weather just to see him off at the airport. “He was there for me at my worst, and we kept working with full enthusiasm,” Gukesh recalls. This level of personal investment, he believes, is what defines a great coach.

Gukesh’s training philosophy revolves around self-awareness – recognizing his emotions without letting them dictate his decisions.

“Most decisions are affected by what we’re feeling in the moment,” he says. “The key is to be aware of it and not let it control you.”

He practices this through discussions with his coaches, reflecting on past games, and mindfulness exercises.

When it comes to goals, Gukesh is as ambitious as ever. In the short term, he aims to regain the rating points he lost in recent tournaments. Long-term, his vision is even grander: to become the best player in the world, not just of his generation but across eras.

For Gukesh, chess is more than a sport or career – it’s a fundamental part of who he is. “I’ve spent so much time with chess that even when I’m not thinking about it, it’s in the back of my mind,” he says. He finds deep satisfaction in discovering beautiful moves and ideas, describing chess as an endless source of fascination.

His advice to aspiring players is simple yet profound: enjoy the game, stay present, and learn from mistakes.

“Being ambitious is good, but don’t let it turn into a hindrance,” he cautions.

Some errors, he believes, are necessary for growth – a philosophy that has guided his own journey.

Gukesh’s story is a testament to resilience, self-awareness, and relentless improvement. From a young prodigy to World Champion, his journey inspires not just chess players but anyone striving for excellence. If you haven’t watched the full podcast yet, it’s well worth your time – Beyond the Board with Gukesh and GM Vishnu offers invaluable insights into the mind of a champion.

To check the full video, click here.