Superstar Rajinikanth Surprises World Chess Champion D Gukesh With Memorable Present - See Pics

World Chess Champion D Gukesh met superstars Rajinikanth and Sivakarthikeyan in Chennai on Thursday.

Rajinikanth honored newly-crowned World Chess Champion D Gukesh with a memorable gift in Chennai.

Source : @DGukesh / X

Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh, who recently defeated China's Ding Liren in FIDE World Championship to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, has received an outpouring of support and love from his fans, including recognition from South superstars Rajinikanth and Sivakarthikeyan, whom he met in Chennai on Thursday.

Rajinikanth presented Gukesh with a shawl and a copy of Paramahansa Yogananda's 1946 spiritual classic: Autobiography of a Yogi, as a special gift.

Gukesh took to his X handle and wrote in his caption, “Thanks Superstar @rajinikanth sir for your warm wishes and inviting ,spending time and sharing your wisdom with us (folded hands emoji).”

Thanks Superstar @rajinikanth sir for your warm wishes and inviting ,spending time and sharing your wisdom with us 🙏 pic.twitter.com/l53dBCVVJH

— Gukesh D (@DGukesh) December 26, 2024

Sharing pictures from his meeting with Sivakarthikeyan, Gukesh wrote: "Had a great time with @Siva_Kartikeyan sir and he was kind enough to spend time with me and my family despite his busy schedule and enjoyed a lot!"

Had a great time with @Siva_Kartikeyan sir and he was kind enough to spend time with me and my family despite his busy schedule and enjoyed a lot! pic.twitter.com/GnnGx3wDs4

— Gukesh D (@DGukesh) December 26, 2024

At just 18 years old, Gukesh made history by defeating China's Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in the 14th match of FIDE World Chess Championship at Singapore, becoming the youngest-ever chess world champion. In doing so, he broke the long-standing record set by Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov, who won the title at 22 in 1985.

Gukesh's incredible success at such a young age is a testament to the sacrifices made by both him and his parents - Dr. Rajinikanth, an ENT surgeon, and Padma, a microbiologist.

"His parents have sacrificed a lot," Gukesh's childhood coach Vishnu Prasanna told PTI in April.

"While his father has almost surrendered his career. His mother has been supporting the family while his father has been travelling, and they hardly get to see each other," he recalled.

There’s no doubt that 2024 has been the best year of Gukesh's Chess career.