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Sharing a clip from D Gukesh’s media interaction, Anand Mahindra said the chess prodigy’s philosophy is an inspiration to everyone.
D Gukesh is taking on Ding Liren in the Chess World Championship. (AFP Photo)
Indian businessman Anand Mahindra has hailed chess grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju ahead of his 2024 World Chess Championship match. Gukesh is currently scheduled to take on Ding Liren at the premier chess event in Singapore.
Hours before the first game, Gukesh spoke about how he’s planning to approach the upcoming challenge.
The 18-year-old said he would try to head into every match as the ‘best version’ of himself.
Touched by his words, Mahindra wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I will ‘…just go to every game as the best version of myself…’ A philosophy that is inspiring to all of us, not just to a sportsperson. Thank you, D Gukesh. An entire nation is cheering as you take on the World Champion.”
Fans reacted to Mahindra’s warm words in the comments section.
One agreed with Gukesh’s words and wrote, “That should always be the fighting spirit. We should always try to be a better version of ourselves. Rest will follow through.”
Another said, “Congratulations to D Gukesh. The whole nation is cheering up as you take on the World Champion.”
One netizen added, “That the spirit sir…never ever give up. Just keep your heap up and face all the problems of your life.”
“That’s so important! Wherever for whatever – That’s the true spirit,” read another response.
One X user commented, “Absolutely! This mindset applies to all of us. Wishing D Gukesh the best as he faces the World Champion – an entire nation is behind him.”
Mahindra also reposted a video of Gukesh’s press conference on the social media platform.
In the video, the Indian chess grandmaster can be heard talking about his upcoming challenge. “For me, it’s pretty clear who I’m going to face. I’m going to face Ding Liren who is one of the best players in the world for more than a decade,” he said.
“And my job is also pretty clear, just go to every game as the best version of myself…If I do that, if I keep playing good chess, stay in the right spirits, I think even with his recent form dip or even at his best, I don’t think it really matters that much. If I’m doing the right things, I’m confident I have all the chances in the world,” Gukesh concluded.
Gukesh will take on Ding Liren in 14 rounds for the World Championship title as he aims to become India’s second-ever world titleholder after Vishwanathan Anand.