Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju recently celebrated a significant milestone in his life, receiving a luxurious Mercedes-Benz E-Class as a gift from his school, Velammal Vidyalaya, in Chennai.
This grand gesture coincided with Gukesh’s 18th birthday and was part of a spectacular celebration held at the school’s Mel Ayanambakkam campus.
Celebration Highlights
The event, which took place on August 10, 2024, was marked by an extravagant display featuring laser and drone shows, underscoring the importance of Gukesh’s achievements in the chess world.
The school, which has over 100,000 students, has played a pivotal role in nurturing Gukesh’s talent since his early days in chess.
Despite having to leave regular classes to pursue his chess career, Velammal Vidyalaya has consistently supported him, using his success as an inspiration for other students.
During the celebration, Gukesh was presented with an oversized key to the Mercedes-Benz, valued at over $60,000. Expressing his joy, he stated, “It was a pleasant surprise, to put it mildly.
I was just super happy to see the car. It’s my first car, so it’s always special, and especially if it’s a Mercedes, it’s even more special!”
Gukesh’s Chess Journey
Gukesh’s rise in the chess world has been meteoric. He recently became a World Championship Challenger after winning the Candidates Tournament 2024, making him one of the youngest players to achieve this status.
As he prepares for his upcoming match against GM Ding Liren in Singapore on November 20, Gukesh remains focused on his training while also embracing this new chapter in his life as a young adult.
Although he has yet to pass his driving test, Gukesh is eager to learn and is motivated to get his license soon.
He remarked on the significance of receiving such a gift at this stage in his life and hopes it inspires younger students at Velammal Vidyalaya to pursue their passions.
