GUKESH SUPER KING WITH GAJEWSKI-UPTON BY HIS SIDE
The New Indian Express Hubballi|December 14, 2024
Trainer & mental coach recall challenges the Indian GM faced, how he retained his calm during those testing times & process he followed to become a world champ
SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN
GUKESH SUPER KING WITH GAJEWSKI-UPTON BY HIS SIDE

NSANELY mature. You don't normally use this phrase to describe the maturity of an 18-year-old, but it's a phrase Grzegorz Gajewski uses when talking about his ward, D Gukesh. He isn't alone.

Paddy Upton has an unwritten rule. Well, kind of. He doesn't normally work with young people because their ability to self-reflect isn't yet on point. A couple of minutes into his first conversation with the then-17-year-old, Upton made an exception. Because the South African realised the person on the other end of the internet connection didn't have the mind of a 17-year-old.

"His depth and level of self-awareness were remarkable," Upton tells this daily a day after Gukesh became the youngest undisputed world chess champion.

This masthead spoke to both Gajewski and Upton to get an insight into how the teen pulled it off. When 55...Rf2 was on the board by Ding Liren in game 14 on Thursday, what was the Pole thinking? "It felt like a gift in the most unexpected moment," he says. "I was on my way to dinner and they were supposed to play for one more hour and maybe make a draw."

In an alternate universe, the Indian would not have punished the move. But Upton and Gukesh spent hours on what to do when you are on the doorstep of a win.

"What are the distractions of getting excited and over-attacking? You have half an eye on the result and there's a possibility of taking half an eye from the chessboard. That's when you may make a mistake."

This story is from the December 14, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Hubballi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 14, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Hubballi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS HUBBALLIView All
The New Indian Express Hubballi

MRPL Reports 28% Decline in Net Profit to ₹304 Crore

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) reported a 28% decline in its net profit to ₹304 crore for the third quarter of FY25.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

IT cos see revival in discretionary demand, deal wins

IT services companies have now started witnessing early signs of revival in discretionary spending and CEOs of top IT companies are optimistic about strong deal wins in coming quarters.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Tax sops likely for brownfield projects

FACED with slow uptake in private investment, the government may announce some tax sops in the Budget this year for encouraging new investments by companies.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Sinner beats dizziness, Rune in round four

JANNIK Sinner battled dizzy spells on Monday to reach an Australian Open quarter-final against Alex de Minaur, admitting a long interruption when he accidentally broke the net was \"big, big luck\".

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Bengaluru to Host 3-Day Millet Fair From Jan 23

Representatives from nearly 10 countries and agriculture ministers and bureaucrats from over 25 states in India will take part in the International Trade Fair - Organics and Millets 2025, Karnataka Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy has said.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Farmers reunite jungle kittens with their mother in 11-hour op

In an extraordinary display of love for animals, farmers at Holehadagali village in Ron taluk of Gadag district reunited jungle kittens who had got separated from their mother.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Meghalaya Mob Attempts to Attack School, Curfew Imposed

CURFEW was clamped in areas falling under the Mawkynrew village in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Monday following an incident of mob violence involving a school.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

UP nod to RDA in cabinet meeting at Maha Kumbh likely

The proposed meeting of Yogi cabinet at Mahakumbh on Wednesday, January 22, is likely to provide a major boost not only to the economic development of Prayagraj but also to neighboring districts.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Axar Steps Into A New Role

Now part of the leadership group, the all-rounder doesn't feel the need to prove to anyone

time-read
2 mins  |
January 21, 2025
The New Indian Express Hubballi

Beer prices up, breweries told to cut sugar content

BEER prices have been revised in the state. The revised prices came into effect on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025