Gukesh says he’s looking at new ways to prepare after becoming world champion

Gukesh has had a whirlwind past few weeks after becoming the youngest world champion in the hory of chess. The 18-year-old defeated Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship in Singapore to become the 18th world champion in the sport.
Since then, he’s been to countless felicitations and events to celebrate his feat. He was also conferred with the Khel Ratna.
“But now, I have started thinking about new goals, new tournaments and new ways to prepare. The objective and the approach will be the same, to give my best, to keep improving myself, and win as many tournaments as possible. So, I am looking forward to a fun year with a lot of learning, a lot of improvements and hopefully a lot of good results,” Gukesh was quoted as saying PTI on Sunday at a felicitation function organised his sponsors in Bengaluru.
Gukesh D (right) with Paddy Upton after winning the World Chess Championship title. (Paddy Upton | Instagram)
Gukesh’s 2025 starts with the Tata Steel Chess Masters event in Netherlands’ Wijk Aan Zee, where he will run into compatriots like Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi and Leon Luke Mendonca. He will also compete in the Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour events.
“2025 will offer a very tough challenge. A lot of new and interesting tournaments are coming up. The world championship was in the past. I’m very happy about it and all the awards and receptions,” Gukesh said. “So, I am looking forward to a fun year with a lot of learning, a lot of improvements and hopefully a lot of good results.”
Gukesh added that he is prepared to counter the extra attention that comes his way as the world champion.“I have been used to being in attention for a while. Obviously, after the world championship, it will be more. But the basic things I remember are to keep improving myself and accepting failures when they come. I think in general, I have high expectations of myself. So, I think my aim is to meet my own expectations rather than that of others,” he said.

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