When South African mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who played a pivotal role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory, was asked to work with a young chess player, he initially hesitated. This offer wasn’t the usual request to guide a cricketer or hockey player; it was an invitation to help 18-year-old D Gukesh pursue the title of youngest world chess champion.
Reflecting on the journey, Upton shared to Indian Express, “I wasn’t sure about working with him initially because I tend to not work with people who are too young. They haven’t really matured or evolved. But Gukesh has just been an absolute blessing and a gift to work with. He is super-intelligent. We’re able to have amazingly detailed and deeply complex conversations.”
Unique Mentorship: Deep conversations that Fuel D Gukesh progress
Since they began working together six months ago, Paddy Upton and Gukesh’s sessions have been as intensive as they are insightful, with one-hour conversations often extending well beyond their scheduled time. Upton describes these interactions as “in-depth, complex, interesting yet challenging” and praises the young Grandmaster for his self-awareness and hunger to learn. “I’ve just been amazed at his self-awareness and maturity. Not just his game, but his awareness about himself, his processes and his mind,” Upton says, noting that Gukesh’s maturity has allowed them to explore complex mental conditioning topics generally reserved for much older players.
Tackling the Challenge: Balancing Confidence with Caution
With D Gukesh preparing for a highly anticipated match against reigning world champion Ding Liren, Upton’s role has evolved. Instead of emphasising fearlessness, as he often does with cricketers, Upton is helping Gukesh strike a balance between confidence and caution. “We have had conversations around the concept of underestimating versus over-respecting your opponent. Gukesh is very well aware of some of the narratives that are out there around Ding’s form. And he’s seen it for himself. But to what degree do we overemphasise or over-respect the opponent versus under-respect them,” Upton explains.
The goal is to help Gukesh prepare for “the best version of Ding that has ever been around.” This approach enables Gukesh to stay grounded while fully ready for the intense challenge.
Lessons from Cricket: D Gukesh Big-Match Temperament
Working with D Gukesh has reminded Upton of some of the legendary players he’s guided, such as Rahul Dravid, known for his humility, and Virat Kohli, known for his fearless performance under pressure. “One thing about Gukesh is that he’s one of those who brings out his best in the really big moments. Someone like Virat Kohli in the (T20) World Cup earlier this year. Or Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup. Most players are overwhelmed by the really big occasion. But there’s only a few who I would call big-match temperament players. Gukesh is someone who has shown all the signs of being that,” says Upton.
Upton sees the upcoming World Championship as a chance for Gukesh to elevate his game to new heights. “The bigger the match, the better chess he’s most likely to play. I think this World Championship is going to bring the best out of him,” he predicts confidently.
Breaking Hierarchies: Peer-like Relationship
Paddy Upton’s rapport with Gukesh has grown into one of mutual respect and candour, an unusual dynamic given the strong respect for seniority in Indian culture. D Gukesh has been encouraged to speak openly and question ideas, something Upton believes is crucial for growth. “He has this confidence to speak really openly, to ask open questions, to connect with me as a peer… But if Gukesh disagrees or sees something differently, he’s comfortable to talk about that,” Upton shares.
What’s ahead for D Gukesh?
Guiding D Gukesh has not only allowed Upton to expand his own coaching perspective but has also provided a glimpse into the future of Indian chess. With his blend of humility, confidence, and big-match temperament, Gukesh shows promise to be a force on the world stage.
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