GM Gukesh Dommaraju arrived again in Chennai at 3 a.m. on Thursday morning and was immediately mobbed by digicam crews, well-wishers, and 80 schoolchildren who had turned as much as welcome again one in every of their very own. The winner of the 2024 FIDE Candidates Event commented, “I’ve full perception that I can beat him” of his world championship opponent GM Ding Liren, with the All Indian Chess Federation revealing plans to carry the match in India.

You recognize the sensation. You arrive again residence after an extended flight at an ungodly hour of the morning and, bleary-eyed, you simply wish to stumble residence to mattress as quickly as doable. For 17-year-old Gukesh, nevertheless, arriving in Chennai Airport after a 13,000 kilometer journey from Toronto, Canada, by way of Dubai, UAE, that was no possibility. Right here’s the second the world chess championship challenger emerged to fulfill the ready crowd!

This is 🇮🇳@DGukesh as he arrives residence in Chennai after changing into a hero for a nation of 1.4 billion folks!#FIDECandidates pic.twitter.com/uMccwtw4aB

— chess24 (@chess24com) April 25, 2024

He was accompanied by his father Rajinikanth, and shortly reunited along with his mom Padma.

Amma’s Love is All You Want ❤️🫂

Edit: @ram_abhyudaya#chess #chessbaseindia #gukesh #candidates pic.twitter.com/QPpF9uVoIa

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) April 25, 2024

This was one time when nobody was stopping schoolchildren from staying up late—it’s not daily you get to greet a 17-year-old from your property metropolis who has been catapulted to super-stardom.

Earlier than he might depart the airport, Gukesh obtained garlands and was interviewed by the Indian media.

The Indian Categorical report that Gukesh stated of the Candidates:

“It’s a particular achievement for me. I used to be in fine condition all through the event. Although the seventh spherical loss was a blow, I used to be capable of get out of it as I used to be in an excellent mind set. From the start, I used to be totally assured that I might win the Candidates and it went accordingly with luck on my aspect.”

Candidates 2024 Winner!
Couldnt have achieved it with out the assist of my dad and mom,household,workforce,Westbridge, WACA,Velammal vidyalaya,SDAT,SAI,pals and everybody who wished me properly !Thanks loads! Trying ahead to the WC match @GajuChess ,@vishy64theking ,@ChessGMVishnu ,@WacaChess pic.twitter.com/TxlHmnl0mS

— Gukesh D (@DGukesh) April 24, 2024

Ideas are already turning to the world championship match towards Ding, with FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky mentioning on X that it’s set to happen from November 20 to December 15. Will or not it’s held in India?

All India Chess Federation Secretary Dev Patel commented, “We’re open to dialogue with FIDE, the apex chess physique, and we’re sure that the most effective world championship shall be held in India,” with Tamil Nadu (the place Chennai is positioned), Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh talked about as doable venues.

We’re sure that the most effective world championship shall be held in India.

—Dev Patel, AICF Secretary

One other world championship match in Chennai, to comply with the Anand-Carlsen match in 2013, seems to be like a definite risk, although Gukesh was quoted by The Hindu as saying he has no sturdy choice:

“I’m tremendous with taking part in anyplace. Clearly, it’ll be good to play at residence (Chennai). Wherever I play, the purpose is to be centered and win the match.” He added, “Liren is a powerful participant, however I’ve full perception that I can beat him. I’ll put together properly for him.”

Liren is a powerful participant, however I’ve full perception that I can beat him.

—Gukesh Dommaraju

There’s not lengthy for Gukesh to take pleasure in life again in Chennai, since in lower than two weeks, on Might 8, he begins the 2024 Superbet Speedy & Blitz Poland in Warsaw.

As you possibly can see, his opponents will embody world number-one Magnus Carlsen, in addition to fellow Indian stars, GMs Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Arjun Erigaisi.