Gukesh Dommaraju’s recent victory as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion has not only made headlines worldwide but also ignited a fierce rivalry between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, each claiming the 18-year-old prodigy as their own.
On Thursday, Gukesh made history in Singapore, defeating China’s Ding Liren to secure the World Chess Championship title, becoming the youngest undisputed champion in the game’s history. His victory quickly became a source of pride for both his home state of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, leading to a public back-and-forth over his origins.
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, was quick to congratulate Gukesh on social media, highlighting the city of Chennai’s status as the “global Chess Capital.” Stalin’s post included a photo of him presenting a gold medal to Gukesh and expressing pride in the state’s contribution to chess. “Tamil Nadu is proud of you,” Stalin wrote, celebrating Gukesh’s remarkable achievement.
In response, Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, also took to social media, calling Gukesh “our very own Telugu boy.” Naidu extended his congratulations, emphasizing Gukesh’s Telugu heritage and claiming him as a source of pride for the state. “The entire nation celebrates your incredible achievement,” Naidu wrote, acknowledging Gukesh’s historic win.
The controversy stems from Gukesh’s roots. Although born in Chennai and raised there, Gukesh hails from a Telugu-speaking family with strong ties to Andhra Pradesh. His parents, both medical professionals, are from the region, fueling the ongoing debate over his true identity.
The rivalry has sparked discussions about ethnicity, language, and the shared history of the southern states. While Tamil Nadu has provided significant financial support to Gukesh, with a reported ₹75 lakh contribution from the government, many argue that Gukesh’s Telugu ancestry makes him a representative of Andhra Pradesh.
Gukesh’s journey to the World Chess Championship title began at the age of seven, when he watched Viswanathan Anand lose the title to Magnus Carlsen in 2013. This loss inspired Gukesh to pursue the championship himself, a dream that he achieved a decade later. Reflecting on his victory, Gukesh recalled watching Anand’s defeat and vowing to bring the title back to India.
After a thrilling 14-day competition in Singapore, Gukesh’s dream became a reality as he defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. His victory is a testament to years of dedication and a childhood dream that came to fruition.
