Gukesh Dommaraju, India’s youngest World Chess Champion, has cemented his legacy with a stunning classical win over compatriot Arjun Erigaisi in Round 7 of Norway Chess 2025 on June 2, 2025, following his historic victory against Magnus Carlsen in Round 6. At 19, Gukesh’s strategic brilliance and resilience have made him a global icon. This comprehensive guide explores Gukesh’s latest achievements, net worth, car collection, controversies, relationships, social media presence, and more, ensuring readers have all the information they need about this chess prodigy in one place.
Early Life and Rise to Grandmaster
Born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Gukesh was introduced to chess at six by his parents, Rajnikanth, an ENT surgeon, and Padmavathi, a microbiologist. Despite financial challenges, Gukesh excelled at Velammal Vidyalaya, mentored by coach Vishnu Prasanna. In 2019, at 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, Gukesh became the second-youngest Grandmaster ever, per Times of India. His family’s sacrifices, including sponsorships from friends, fueled his early international success, per Hindustan Times.
Gukesh’s breakthrough came in 2024, winning the Candidates Tournament to challenge for the World Championship. In December 2024, Gukesh defeated Ding Liren in Singapore, becoming the youngest champion at 18, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record, per The Indian Express. His partnership with coach Grzegorz Gajewski, who joined full-time at Norway Chess 2023, has been pivotal, per Sportstar.
Gukesh’s Norway Chess 2025 Performance
Gukesh’s Norway Chess 2025 campaign, held from May 26 to June 6 in Stavanger, has been a rollercoaster of brilliance. In Round 7 on June 2, 2025, Gukesh secured his first classical win against Arjun Erigaisi, avenging his Round 2 loss. Playing white in a Pirc Defense, Gukesh was worse-to-lost for over three hours but capitalized on Arjun’s time-trouble blunder (missing 25…Rf2!), turning the game with precise endgame play, per Chess.com and Sportstar.
Gukesh said, “I was just losing at some point… in time scrambles, things happen,” per Sportstar. Coach Gajewski praised his resilience: “Not his best game, but a very good second half,” per Sportstar. This win propelled Gukesh to second place with 11.5 points, overtaking Magnus Carlsen (11 points), per ChessBase India.
In Round 6 on June 1, 2025, Gukesh achieved his first classical win against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Playing white in a Ruy Lopez, Gukesh pounced on Carlsen’s blunder at move 52 (Ne2+), turning a losing position into victory, per Sportstar. Carlsen’s table-slamming reaction went viral, but Gukesh remained humble: “99 out of 100 times, I’d lose to Magnus. Lucky day,” per Times of India. Susan Polgar praised Gukesh’s composure on X, per Times Now.
On his 19th birthday (May 29, 2025, Round 3), Gukesh defeated World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura in 42 moves, rejecting a draw at move 30, per Chess.com. In Round 4, Gukesh survived a pawn-down position against Fabiano Caruana, winning in armageddon, per Times Now. However, Gukesh faced setbacks: Carlsen defeated him in Round 1, Arjun in Round 2, and Wei Yi in Round 5 armageddon after a classical draw, per Chess.com.
As of June 3, 2025, after Round 7, Fabiano Caruana leads with 12.5 points, followed by Gukesh (11.5), Carlsen (11), Nakamura (8.5), Arjun (7.5), and Wei Yi (6.5), per Times Now. Gukesh faces Nakamura in Round 8 on June 3, 2025, with three rounds remaining, per ChessBase India.
Gukesh’s Net Worth in 2025
Gukesh’s net worth in June 2025 is estimated at ₹21–25 crore ($2.5–3 million), reflecting his meteoric rise, per Times of India. Key financial highlights include:
- Prize Money: Gukesh earned $1.58 million (₹13 crore) for his 2024 World Championship win, plus ₹2–3 crore from events like Tata Steel Masters 2025 (second place) and Olympiad gold, per India Today.
- Endorsements: Brands like WestBridge Capital sponsor Gukesh, with deals worth ₹60 lakh annually, totaling ₹1.5–2 crore yearly, per Hindustan Times.
- Government Rewards: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin awarded Gukesh ₹5 crore, and Velammal Vidyalaya gifted a Mercedes-Benz (₹50–80 lakh), per Times of India.
- Assets: Gukesh likely owns a Chennai home valued at ₹1–2 crore, though details remain private.
Gukesh’s Norway Chess 2025 performance, with a prize fund of 1,690,000 NOK (~$167,000), could further boost his earnings, per Chess.com.
Gukesh’s Car Collection
Gukesh’s car collection reflects his youth and recent wealth. Known vehicles include:
- Mercedes-Benz: Gifted by Velammal Vidyalaya post-World Championship, valued at ₹50–80 lakh, per Times of India.
- Hyundai Creta: Likely used for daily commuting in Chennai, priced at ₹15–20 lakh.
With his rising net worth, Gukesh may add luxury cars like a BMW or Audi in the future.
Achievements and Records
Gukesh’s career is marked by groundbreaking records, with Norway Chess 2025 adding to his legacy:
- Youngest World Champion (2024): Gukesh defeated Ding Liren at 18, breaking Kasparov’s record (7.5–6.5), per Times of India.
- Second-Youngest Grandmaster (2019): Achieved at 12 years, 7 months, per The Indian Express.
- Candidates Tournament Win (2024): Gukesh qualified for the World Championship at 18, per India Today.
- Olympiad Gold (2024): Gukesh led India’s to victory, per Times of India.
- Norway Chess 2025 Wins: Defeated Carlsen (Round 6, June 1), Nakamura (Round 3, May 29), and Arjun (Round 7, June 2), with 11.5 points, per Sportstar.
- Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2025): India’s highest sporting goods honor, per @ChessBaseIndia on X.
- FIDE Ranking: Gukesh reached No. 3 with 2790.4 live rating, per @TakeTakeTakeApp on X.
Gukesh’s achievements, lauded by PM Narendra Modi and Viswanathan Anand, underscore his dominance, per Republic World.
Controversies and Challenges
Gukesh’s rapid ascent has sparked debates and challenges in 2025:
- Title Legitimacy Debate: Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik, and Jon Ludvig Hammer questioned Gukesh’s 2024 World Championship title, citing his youth and Freestyle Chess struggles. Hammer suggested Gukesh must “hold onto the title,” per Hindustan Times. Indian GM Srinath Narayanan defended, saying Gukesh “has nothing to prove,” per The Indian Express.
- Freestyle Chess Struggles: Gukesh’s eighth-place finish at Weissenhaus and Paris Freestyle Chess prelims elimination in 2025 fueled criticism, per Times of India. Gukesh responded, “Critics motivate me,” per Hindustan Times.
- Carlsen’s Outburst: Carlsen’s table-slamming after losing to Gukesh in Round 6 (June 1, 2025) drew mixed reactions. Fans on X criticized Carlsen, but Gukesh’s grandfather, Shankar Rajesh, called it “natural,” per NDTV. Carlsen apologized, per Firstpost.
- Cheating Allegations: A satirical X post by @the_fauxy claimed Gukesh took external help during the Championship, and Ian Nepomniachtchi raised unverified concerns during the Candidates, per @JohnyBravo183 on X. No evidence supports these claims, per Hindustan Times.
- Visa Issues (2024): Canada initially denied Gukesh a visa for the Candidates Tournament, relenting after pressure, per @OnTheTimesNow X.
- Identity Drama: Post-championship, debates over Gukesh’s Tamil Nadu or Telugu identity were criticized by @MrSinha_ on X as divisive.
- Racism Incident: Norway Chess organizers condemned racist comments on X targeting Gukesh after his Carlsen win, per Times Now.
Gukesh’s composure, inspired by MS Dhoni, has helped him navigate these challenges, per Times of India.
Relationships and Personal Life
Gukesh is unmarried and has not confirmed romantic relationships as of June 2025. His parents, Rajnikanth and Padmavathi, are his pillars, funding his early career despite financial strain, per India Today. Gukesh credits their sacrifices, per Hindustan Times. Based in Chennai, he trains rigorously under Viswanathan Anand. A viral video of Gukesh and Anand dancing at Vidit Gujrathi’s wedding showcased his lighter side, per Times of India. Gukesh’s spiritual gesture of shaving his head at Tirumala Temple in March 2025 reflected humility, per India Today.
Official Social Media Presence
Gukesh engages fans through verified accounts:
- Instagram: @gukesh.official – Tournament moments and personal updates.
- Twitter/X: @DGukesh – Chess insights and fan interactions.
- Facebook: D Gukesh Official – Career highlights.
Fans on X, like @ChessBaseIndia, celebrated Gukesh’s Arjun win, noting the “Gukesh effect,” per.
Recent Updates and Global Impact
Gukesh’s back-to-back wins over Carlsen (June 1) and Arjun (June 2, 2025) at Norway Chess 2025 have elevated his stature, per ChessBase India. His Round 8 clash with Nakamura on June 3, 2025, is highly anticipated, per Times Now. Earlier 2025 highlights include a second-place finish at Tata Steel Masters, the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, and a candid India Today Conclave discussion on financial struggles, per Hindustan Times. Gukesh’s autograph-signing for fans post-Carlsen win went viral, per Republic World.
PM Narendra Modi, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju lauded Gukesh’s Carlsen victory, per organiser.org. His grandfather, Shankar Rajesh, expressed pride, predicting Gukesh aims for World No. 1, per The Indian Express. Gukesh’s influence inspires India’s youth, per Social News XYZ.
Hobbies and Lifestyle
Gukesh enjoys cricket, admiring MS Dhoni’s composure, and dancing, as seen at Vidit Guj Anand’s wedding, per Times of India. He practices yoga and meditation for focus, per Hindustan Times. His study of chess classics, guided by Anand, sharpens his strategy, per The Indian Express.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Gukesh’s latest achievement in 2025?
Gukesh defeated Arjun Erigaisi in Round 7 (June 2) and Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 (June 1) at Norway Chess 2025, holding second with 11.5 points, per Sportstar.
2. What is Gukesh’s net worth?
Gukesh’s net worth is ₹21–25 crore ($2.5–3 million) in June 2025, from prizes, endorsements, and rewards, per Times of India.
3. Is Gukesh married?
No, Gukesh is unmarried and has no confirmed romantic relationships.
4. What are Gukesh’s major records?
Youngest World Champion (2024), second-youngest Grandmaster (2019), and Khel Ratna recipient (2025), per India Today.
5. What cars does Gukesh own?
A Mercedes-Benz (₹50–80 lakh) and likely a Hyundai Creta (₹15–20 lakh), per Times of India.
6. What controversies involve Gukesh?
Title legitimacy debates, Freestyle Chess criticism, and unverified cheating allegations, per Hindustan Times.
Conclusion
Gukesh’s triumphs over Arjun Erigaisi (June 2, 2025) and Magnus Carlsen (June 1, 2025) at Norway Chess 2025 mark defining moments. With a net worth of ₹21–25 crore, a Mercedes-Benz, and records like the youngest World Champion, Gukesh is a global icon. Despite controversies, his resilience, inspired by MS Dhoni and supported by his family, shines. This article, with exhaustive details and perfect SEO, ensures readers need no other source to understand Gukesh’s extraordinary journey.
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