How Gukesh stayed stoic, revealed the boy within only after triumph

GUKESH'S DEMEANOUR AT POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCES, BOTH AFTER TOUGH LOSSES AND MISSED WINS, WAS POISED

- Susan Ninan

BENGALURU: "How in the world is he 18?" Chess fans around the world have wondered aloud over the past few weeks. The only time Gukesh Dommaraju - measured, stoic, and mature beyond his years - let his emotions sneak out was when he raised arms in celebration and sat sobbing at the board after his win. Even as he sobbed, Gukesh fastidiously arranged the pieces back on the board. It was a habit, a discipline towards the little things. His opponent, Ding Liren, had sat across him, crestfallen, moments ago, before he peeled his jacket off his chair and staggered away.

On Friday, Gukesh stood on the stage in Singapore by himself - the Tricolour draped over his shoulders, a gold medal and a bright pinkish-purple garland of orchids, Singapore's national flower, around his neck, his raised right hand clasping the FIDE World Championship trophy, and the widest smile he had allowed himself in weeks.