How Gukesh Became the Youngest World Champion: Coach Gajewski Shares the Inside Story

Team Gukesh: The Backbone of Success

• Radosław Wojtaszek (Radek): A long-time collaborator with Gajewski, prized for his structure and organization.
• Pentala Harikrishna (Hari): World-class understanding of the game, vital for honing Gukesh’s positional sense.
• Jan Klimkowski: A creative young grandmaster who added fresh ideas in openings.
• Jan-Krzysztof Duda: Served as a sparring partner, playing 300+ online blitz games with Gukesh to sharpen his time management and tactical instincts.
• Vincent Keymer: Brought cutting-edge theoretical input, gained valuable firsthand experience of a championship team.
• Paddy Upton: Mentally prepared Gukesh to handle losses, pressure, and critical moments.
• Viswanathan Anand: Mentor figure whose academy and guidance were instrumental from the start.

Surprises in the Opening

Gajewski admits they hadn’t anticipated Ding’s repeated use of the French Defense, which forced rapid adjustments. Despite losing the first game, Gukesh’s team rallied around fresh ideas in each subsequent match, consistently seeking to catch Ding off-guard.

Critical Moments

1. Game 7 (Move 10.Re1)
   • Engineered by Keymer, the move forced Ding into difficult decisions. Gukesh gained a winning edge but missed some precise follow-ups under match pressure.
2. Game 11 (a3 & Na1)
   • A clever plan that puzzled Ding and led to a key victory, showcasing Gukesh’s creativity and willingness to keep the game sharp.
3. Game 13
   • Gukesh unleashed another innovative French setup, nearly winning before Ding’s last-ditch resource …Rf8 saved the day. Despite the draw, Gukesh’s relentless attitude likely wore Ding down.
4. Final Game (Game 14)
   • Headed for a tiebreak, Ding suddenly blundered with …Rf2, allowing a decisive …Bd5+. Within minutes, Gukesh emerged as the new World Champion.

Mental Toughness

From losing the opening game to missing wins in the middle of the match, Gukesh demonstrated remarkable resilience—an area Gajewski credits to both the team’s support and Paddy Upton’s mental-training techniques.

What Makes Gukesh Special

• Unyielding Drive: Even in equal or slightly worse positions, Gukesh kept playing on, putting maximum pressure on Ding.
• Adaptability: Willingness to test new lines and ideas, including less familiar structures.
• Family Support: Gukesh’s parents, especially his father Rajinikanth, provided constant behind-the-scenes help.

Looking Ahead

Gukesh’s path doesn’t end here. With players like Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and other rising stars (Arjun, Nodirbek, Alireza) keen to challenge him, every match will be a proving ground. Yet Gajewski believes his protégé has only scratched the surface of his potential.

Conclusion
From creative opening surprises to rock-solid psychology, Gukesh’s team built a holistic framework for success. Emerging victorious at just eighteen, he’s already reshaping the chess landscape—and, as Coach Gajewski affirms, this new champion is far from done.