Tamil Nadu Government to Honor World Chess Champion Gukesh with Rs 5 Crore Cheque Today
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Chennai, Dec 17 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, is set to honor World Chess Champion D. Gukesh on Tuesday, presenting him with a cheque of Rs 5 crore.
The ceremony will also see the participation of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and chess icon Viswanathan Anand.
Gukesh, accompanied by his parents, arrived in Chennai on Monday following his victory at the World Championship held in Singapore.
Upon arrival at the Chennai International Airport, Gukesh was welcomed by Atulya Misra, the Additional Chief Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports Development, and Meghanath Reddy, Member-Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).
The young champion and his parents were then transported in a specially decorated vehicle showcasing his numerous achievements.
As an elite sportsperson recognized by the SDAT, Gukesh continues to receive substantial financial backing under the high-incentive program.
This year, the state government made significant efforts by organizing the Chennai Grand Masters event to enable Gukesh to accrue important FIDE circuit points.
His victory in this event was crucial, allowing him to qualify for the Candidates Tournament 2024.
Success in the Candidates Tournament led to his participation in the World Chess Championship in Singapore.
Initially lacking sufficient circuit points to qualify for the Candidates Tournament, the intervention of the Tamil Nadu government, by hosting the event, was pivotal for Gukesh's rise to success.
The 18-year-old Gukesh triumphed over China's Ding Liren with a score of 7.5-6.5 in Singapore last week, making him the youngest World Champion and breaking the previous record held by Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov.
Kasparov had claimed the World Chess Championship title in 1985 at the age of 22, defeating then-champion Anatoly Karpov.
Moreover, Gukesh is scheduled to face off against Magnus Carlsen, the highest-rated player globally, at the Norway Chess Tournament next year.
This tournament is set to take place in Stavanger, Norway, from May 26 to June 6, 2025, and is anticipated to be a major event for chess enthusiasts worldwide.
In 2023, Gukesh secured third place in Stavanger; however, he returns this time as the World Champion, eager to demonstrate his skills against the best, including Carlsen.
