Meet The Parents Who Gave Up Everything to Raise Chess Star D Gukesh

(Featured image source Chess Base India)

Gukesh was just six when he first showed an interest in chess — a quiet child, curious about the board and eager to play. For most parents, it might have felt like just another phase. But Rajinikanth and Padma Kumari saw it differently. They stood by him from day one — not with big promises but constant support, strength, and deep belief. Over the years, they gave up more than most people will ever know. Their sacrifices weren’t loud or dramatic, but they built the foundation for everything Gukesh has become today.

This week, on May 27, 2025, 19-year-old D Gukesh made headlines worldwide. With back-to-back victories against Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi at the Norway Chess tournament, he climbed to the No. 2 spot in global rankings, just behind Fabiano Caruana. It was a historic moment for Indian chess, but behind it lies a story shaped as much by family as by talent.

Watch the story of Gukesh’s parents

Years ago, when Gukesh’s love for chess became more than a hobby, his father, Rajinikanth, stepped away from his career as an ENT surgeon to travel with him full-time. He was always by Gukesh’s side, from local tournaments to global championships. At home, his mother, Padma Kumari, became the family’s steady anchor, managing finances, holding the household together, and ensuring that nothing ever came in the way of her son’s growth.

The family navigated years without steady sponsorship, but Gukesh never had to carry that burden. Whether it meant adjusting travel plans, cutting back on comforts, or spending long stretches apart, his parents made it work—and never let the financial challenges touch his focus or confidence.

Padma spent months alone while Rajinikanth and Gukesh travelled. She ensured their home remained a place of calm and strength. On the other hand, Rajinikanth stood beside his son through every high and low, reminding him to finish what he started, even on the toughest days.

Today, when Gukesh sits across the board from the world’s best, he carries with him the quiet strength of two people who shaped him every step of the way — not through grand gestures but through steady choices made day after day. His parents didn’t just support a dream; they made sure it had space to grow.

Edited by Leila Badyari

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