D Gukesh, the young Indian chess prodigy, has been awarded the ‘Player of the Year’ award by the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). The award recognizes Gukesh’s exceptional performance in international chess tournaments in 2021 and his contribution to the development of chess in India.
Gukesh, who is just 15 years old, has already achieved several milestones in his chess career. In 2019, he became the world’s second-youngest Grandmaster at the age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days. He has since continued to impress the chess community with his tactical brilliance and strategic thinking.
In 2021, Gukesh participated in several international tournaments and achieved remarkable success. He won the Polgar Challenge tournament in Hungary and finished second in the Riga Open in Latvia. He also won the Blitz championship at the prestigious Capablanca Memorial tournament in Cuba.
The ACF noted that Gukesh’s success in international tournaments had helped raise the profile of Indian chess on the world stage. In recent years, India has emerged as a major force in international chess, with several young talents making their mark in the sport.
Gukesh’s achievement is all the more impressive considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chess, like many other sports, has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, with many tournaments being postponed or cancelled. Gukesh’s success in international tournaments is a testament to his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
On receiving the ‘Player of the Year’ award, Gukesh said, “I am honored and grateful to receive this award from the Asian Chess Federation. This award is not just for me, but for the entire chess community in India. I would like to thank my coaches, family, and friends for their support and encouragement.”
Gukesh’s achievement has been widely praised by the Indian chess community. Several top Indian chess players, including former world champion Viswanathan Anand, have congratulated Gukesh on his award.
The ‘Player of the Year’ award is one of the most prestigious awards in the Asian chess circuit. It is awarded annually to the player who has demonstrated exceptional performance in international tournaments and has contributed to the development of chess in their country.