Velammal Nexus felicitates Gukesh

by Himank Ghosh - 16/12/2022

Velammal School in Chennai, a part of the Velammal Nexus group is a landmark in Indian chess history by all counts. The number of top-level Grandmasters who have come from the Chennai school is huge! One of their brightest students is Gukesh D, the 16-year-old phenomenon who won an Individual Gold medal in Board 1 at the Chennai Chess Olympiad 2022. The World's third-youngest Grandmaster recently became the youngest player to defeat the World Champion Magnus Carlsen! Gukesh was felicitated recently by the Velammal Nexus School, in the presence of 5-time World Champion and FIDE Deputy President, Viswanathan Anand.

Felicitating the young hero

Velammal Nexus School has many notable chess players studying there. Some of the biggest names are: Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and D Gukesh! The 16-year-old India no.3 was felicitated at the Velammal Nexus School premises in the presence of his coach in the WestBridge-Anand Chess Academy, the 5-time World Champion and FIDE Deputy President, Viswanathan Anand. Gukesh received a Cheque of Rs. 10 lakhs for his outstanding performances all across the world!

The former champion gives his crown to the younger generation!

Here are a series of photos to take you through the felicitation ceremony:

The Official poster for the D Gukesh felicitation ceremony

Gukesh arrives on a grandeur horse cart as he receives a standing ovation!

A grand welcome with flower bouquets, garlands and a tika on the forehead! If you see on the back, the students are wearing chess-themed dresses - black and white checkered clothes, and different chess pieces on their head!

Gukesh's coach GM Vishnu Prasanna was also present in the felicitation ceremony - here they are being gifted a beautiful painting of the powerful duo!

Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand being greeted. The man in the Deep blue shirt is none other than Famous Neurosurgeon Rajinikanth, D Gukesh's father!

Both Gukesh's mother and father were present in the ceremony, they were felicitated as well!

A beautiful painting of the young Chennai lad who's going places and proving his strength to the world!

The WestBridge-Anand Chess Academy mentor and the mentee - all smiles!

Gukesh has become far more confident in public speaking now - he has grown both on and off the board!

Gukesh was awarded a hefty amount of Rs. 10 lakh from the Velammal Nexus School authorities!

The World Champions receive a similar flower garland after winning the World Championship match! An apt reception for one of India's brightest talents, and a potential World Championship challenger in the future.

Important links:

The full D Gukesh playlist on ChessBase India

Velammal Nexus School website

Velammal Nexus Group Instagram