A Little Boy with a Big Dream
There is something incredibly special about introducing children to stories of people who dared to dream big. And it becomes even more special when the person whose story you're reading is someone whose extraordinary victory the entire country has witnessed and celebrated!
I'm talking about our very own Gukesh!
In May 2025, my husband picked up a copy of the Gukesh comic from ChessBase India, and little did we know that this book would become such a favourite in our household.
More than a year later, it still holds a special place on our bookshelf, especially for my seven-year-old son, Shreyas, who began learning chess in March 2026 and has grown to absolutely love it, so playing at least a couple of games before boarding the school bus has become a routine!
A Story That Begins with a Dream
The comic beautifully captures Gukesh's journey from a little boy with a dream to becoming the World Chess Champion.
What I particularly enjoyed was how the story unfolds in a format that children can easily connect with. Rather than presenting Gukesh's achievements as a series of milestones, the comic introduces young readers to the person behind those achievements. For a child reading this book, Gukesh isn't simply a world champion holding a trophy. He is someone who was once a little boy, just like them, with dreams, interests and aspirations.
And I think that's where the magic lies.
Children are often told that they can dream big, work hard and achieve wonderful things. But here is a story that allows them to actually see that journey unfold, page after page.
Illustrations That Deserve a Special Mention!
One of the first things that caught my attention was the artwork.
The illustrations are colourful, realistic and beautifully detailed. They bring Gukesh's journey alive without making the pages overwhelming for young readers.
And can we talk about the attention to detail?
I remember noticing the vibhuti on the forehead of the characters and thinking about how thoughtfully even the smallest cultural elements had been incorporated into the illustrations!
These are the little things that make a book memorable for me.
As someone who enjoys reading children's books and exploring illustrations with my little ones, I particularly appreciate artwork that encourages children to pause, observe and discover something beyond the written words.
The simple language is another big plus. The narrative is accessible to children who are beginning to read independently, while also making the book enjoyable for parents to read aloud.
I'd recommend it as a read-together book for children aged four and above, depending on their interest and reading readiness. It also works wonderfully for slightly older children who have started reading simple sentences on their own.
And if yours is a chess-loving family, even better!
When a Book Becomes More Than Just a Story
When we first bought the book, Shreyas hadn't yet begun his formal chess lessons.
Fast-forward to March 2026, and he started learning chess. What began as a book about an inspiring young champion now has an additional layer of meaning for him.
As a parent, I find this particularly fascinating.
The same book can mean different things to a child at different stages of growing up.
Initially, it may simply be an exciting story about a boy who becomes a world champion. But once a child begins exploring the game, understanding the chessboard and discovering how much thought goes into every move, the story takes on a different meaning.
It becomes something they can relate to through their own experiences.
In Conversation with a Seven-Year-Old Chess Enthusiast
I thought it would be interesting to include the perspective of the person who probably loves this book the most in our home: Shreyas!
Instead of asking him to narrate the story, I asked him three simple questions and encouraged him to write down his answers.
What did you like most about the book?
"I liked the book because it was about a small child becoming a big chess grandmaster."
I loved the simplicity of that answer. For him, the most fascinating part wasn't necessarily a particular victory or a title. It was the transformation of a little child into a grandmaster.
What did you learn from Gukesh's story?
"I learned to concentrate and do lots of calculations."
Now, this was an answer that made his appa smile instantly! As someone who has been watching him learn chess, he found it interesting that he picked up on concentration and calculation, two skills that are so central to the game. It also made me realise that children sometimes take away lessons from books that we, as parents, may not consciously set out to teach them.
If you could meet Gukesh, what would you ask him?
"I would ask him how did you come in the Chennai Grandmaster (tournament held in 2023)? How did you learn so many strategies?
His questions revolved around Gukesh's journey into competitive chess and how he learnt so many strategies. And I think that curiosity says a lot! He wasn't simply interested in meeting a famous chess player. He wanted to understand how Gukesh had learnt to play the way he does. For a child who is discovering chess himself, I couldn't have asked for a more meaningful response.
Why I Would Recommend This Book
What I appreciate most about this comic is that it makes the journey of a world champion accessible to young children. You don't need to understand chess openings, complex calculations or tournament formats to enjoy the story. You can simply read it as an inspiring account of a child who pursued a dream and went on to achieve something extraordinary.
For families with children learning chess, the book offers an opportunity to talk about concentration, practice, patience and perseverance. For families who have never played chess, it could be a wonderful introduction to the game and the people who have made it so fascinating. And from a reading perspective, the combination of simple language, colourful illustrations and a real-life inspirational story makes it a lovely addition to a child's bookshelf.
It would make a wonderful gift (the book also comes with an inspiring poster and a photograph of Guki which by the way has gone into my son’s scrapbook as a collection!). Having seen how much my son continues to enjoy it, I would certainly say the same today.
A Final Thought
As parents, we introduce our children to countless stories, hoping that some of them will entertain, some will educate and a few might even inspire.
What makes this comic special to me is that it has managed to do all three.
When a seven-year-old reads about a little boy becoming a chess grandmaster and walks away thinking about concentration, calculations and learning strategies, you realise that the story has gone beyond the pages of the book.
And perhaps that's the most wonderful thing about books like these: they remind children that even the biggest dreams can begin with someone just like them.
As I conclude, I’m hoping Chessbase India comes up with more such comics and takes chess to more households across the nation!
About the author
Vidya is a mom of two, a working professional, and someone who loves everything around books, parenting, and storytelling. Through her Instagram page, @curdriceshots, she shares snippets of their everyday adventures, little discoveries, and lots of bookish moments. She also runs Mango Tree Circle, a storytelling initiative for young minds. More recently, she has been discovering the fascinating world of chess through her son Shreyas and is thoroughly enjoying her journey as a chess mom, learning alongside him.
Important links
Just like the ChessPa Meets Guki book, we have more ChessPa books that make learning chess fun for kids, including ChessPa In Chess Adventure Park and ChessPa Activity Books.
Want everything in one go? Pick up the ChessPa Complete Learning Books Combo.
You can also browse the full ChessPa collection on the ChessBase India shop.
