The frenzy at Chennai International airport early morning on April 25 for the arrival of the 17-year-old D. Gukesh, who had won the FIDE Candidates chess tournament in Toronto, was surreal.
A huge gathering—media persons, students wearing masks of the teenager and teachers from the champion’s alma mater, Velammal, chess officials and members of Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu--jostled with the teenager to get a glimpse of the boy of the moment.
Amidst all the hullabaloo, Gukesh remained calm and composed showing no signs of travel weariness - he spent nearly 18 hours on the flight from Toronto to Chennai with a transit in Dubai.
