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 Group Instagram
