Indian chess Grandmaster D Gukesh recently posted a video on social media where he is seen dancing to Rajinikanth’s popular song, ‘Manasilayo.’ In the clip, Gukesh swaps his strategic chess moves for some energetic dance steps, grooving with friends and family while wearing traditional attire. Clad in a red kurta, veshti, and sunglasses, he perfectly follows the catchy song’s hook steps. Towards the end, the chess prodigy walks up to the camera, flashes a smile, and signs off. “Manasilayo…with my family friends!” he wrote in the caption.
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The 18-year-old, who played a pivotal role in India’s first-ever gold medal win at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, is currently enjoying a break. Gukesh’s outstanding performance at the event saw him win 9 out of 10 games, helping secure the gold medal for the Indian team. His victory propelled India to the top and earned him high praise.
Reflecting on his determination during the Chess Olympiad, Gukesh shared, “Since what happened last time, where we came so close to team gold, this time I thought I would do whatever it takes to win the gold for India. I didn’t focus on individual performance, I just wanted the team to win.” He even skipped the popular Bermuda party at the Olympiad to concentrate fully on his game.
Now ranked in the world’s top 20 and approaching chess legend Viswanathan Anand’s rating, Gukesh, along with his teammates, was recently honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. His next major challenge will be facing Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren at the World Championship in Singapore, scheduled for November 20 to December 15, with a prize of $2.5 million awaiting the winner.
