India, Dec. 13 -- D Gukesh was all of seven when he dreamed of becoming the world champion in chess. His parents believed in him but that he would realise his dream in only 11 years, becoming the youngest chess world champion at 18, did not cross their minds. When the Indian grandmaster beat defending champion Ding Liren of China in a 14-game marathon that went right down to the wire to become only the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to win the coveted crown, it took some time for his father, Rajinikanth and mother Padma Kumari to believe. Years of hard work, unparalleled sacrifice and unmatched determination finally yielded results.

The tears in Gukesh's eyes and the shock in his father's expression were the biggest proof. Moment...