‘Gukesh needs to stay grounded and remain curious’ | Chess News

D Gukesh (Photo Credit: FIDE)

CHENNAI: English Grandmaster and commentator David Howell knows what it means to be a prodigy, to be the ‘next big thing.’ Howell, who became the youngest Briton to ever win a GM title in 2007 at 16 – a record he held until 2024 – also knows what comes after. The weight of expectations, the quiet battles away from the board, the test of staying power.
It’s a test D Gukesh now faces. At 18, he has conquered the 64 squares, becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion. But if reaching the top is one thing, staying there is another. With every contender now studying his games, the road ahead will only get tougher.
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The three-time British chess champion and a former wunderkind himself, Howell has seen prodigies rise and fall. Some go on to dominate for years, while others crumble under pressure. What sets Gukesh apart, Howell believes, is not just his talent but his strong mindset.
During a chat with TOI, the 34-year-old Howell, who recently joined Magnus Carlsen’s (co-founder) app ‘Take Take Take’ as a host and chess expert, said Gukesh is doing “all the right things” to continue flourishing at the highest level.
“Gukesh is surrounded by the best, and he’s doing all the right things. I must admit, I didn’t expect his rise to be this quick. I knew he was very good; I played against him when he was 12, just after he became a Grandmaster. I remember the game; I managed to win after a tough fight, but what stood out was his attitude. He came with me to the commentary room, we went on stream, and we discussed the game together. He was incredibly mature and eager to learn.
“I don’t have much advice for him, but just to keep the same attitude: stay grounded, remain curious, and focus on improvement rather than titles, press, or pressure. He seems to have the right people around him, and it’s crucial to have good influences,” said Howell.
The chess world Gukesh has grown up in looks very different from the one Howell knew. Today’s prodigies have structured coaching, training camps, and financial backing, things which Howell never had.
“I think it’s great for this Indian generation because they push each other. In England, I was lucky to get opportunities, but there was no one really driving me forward. Everything is far more professional now. Prodigies have camps, good coaches, and receive monetary support from a young age. When I was coming up, I didn’t have that, nor did I have rivals who pushed me to my limits,” Howell said.
And Howell is right, Gukesh isn’t alone. R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi are among the stars driving India’s chess boom, constantly challenging each other to greater heights. Just recently, Pragg defeated Gukesh in the Tata Steel Chess tie-breakers in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. Howell sees the ripple effect spreading beyond India.
“Turkey is taking inspiration from India. Two Turkish youngsters are already over 2600. If they follow the Indian model: structured training, focus, and discipline. They’ll reach the top soon too.”
What’s driving India’s meteoric rise? “I don’t think it’s just one factor; it’s a combination of things. Vishy (Viswanathan Anand) was the catalyst, sparking interest and inspiring a generation. But then suddenly, you had a network of coaches, and platforms like ChessBase India, with people like Sagar Shah (founder of ChessBase) bringing massive attention to Indian chess. It’s the whole system. The infrastructure is strong, the players are supported, and they can focus entirely on playing.”
‘On a mission to make chess a spectator sport’:
Howell has stepped away from chess more than once, but his passion for the game keeps bringing him back. As of now, his focus is on making chess more visible and accessible. With ‘Take Take Take’, he sees an opportunity to use technology and take the sport to a wider audience.
“Spreading the word of chess is my main passion. Technology has shown us that the horizons are even broader. That’s why I joined Take Take Take – to help make chess more accessible, not just for serious players, but for everyone. We want to bring chess to life as a spectator sport and change how people experience the game,” said Howell.