D. Gukesh's mother reflects on the decision to withdraw him from school to pursue chess

D. Gukesh, the recent World Chess Champion, was pulled out of school after the 5th grade by his parents to focus on chess. His mother, Padma Kumari, described this decision as a significant risk, filled with doubts during challenging tournament performances. Despite the challenges, Gukesh's parents remained committed to his chess career. His father, Rajnikanth, instilled a strong "never give up" attitude, encouraging Gukesh to finish tournaments even when he faced difficulties. Gukesh expressed deep gratitude for his parents' sacrifices, acknowledging that their support was crucial to his success. He noted that their dream for his achievements was likely even greater than his own.