D Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Chess Champion at 18, Faces Rs.4.67 Crore Tax on Winnings

Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion at just 18 years old. He defeated reigning champion Ding Liren to claim the prestigious title, becoming only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve this feat.

A Historic Win with a Surprising Tax Angle

While the nation celebrated Gukesh’s incredible victory, a surprising topic of discussion emerged online—his tax bill. Fans pointed out that a significant portion of his prize money, about ₹4.67 crore, would go to taxes.

Many even joked online, comparing Gukesh’s tax liability to cricketer MS Dhoni’s IPL 2025 salary of ₹4 crore, humorously congratulating the Income Tax Department for their “big win.”

Gukesh’s Earnings and Taxes

The 2024 World Chess Championship offered a total prize pool of $2.5 million (₹21 crore approx). Here’s how Gukesh’s earnings break down:

• He earned $600,000 (₹5.04 crore) for winning three games (Games 3, 11, and 14).
• He received an additional $750,000 (₹6.3 crore) as his share of the prize pool split between the finalists.
• In total, Gukesh earned $1.35 million (₹11.34 crore).

Indian Tax Laws

Under Indian tax rules:

• Income above ₹5 crore is taxed at 30%.
• A 37% surcharge applies to income over ₹5 crore.
• A 4% health and education cess is also added.

This means Gukesh’s total tax bill comes to about ₹4.67 crore, or 41.4% of his winnings.

Social Media’s Witty Reactions

While Gukesh’s victory brought joy to millions, social media was abuzz with humorous reactions to his tax situation. Fans joked about the Finance Ministry and Income Tax Department “winning” big.

• One user quipped: “Gukesh brought glory to India, but the Finance Ministry must be celebrating its own ‘checkmate’ win!”
• Another said: “Congrats to the Income Tax Department for their ₹4.67 crore jackpot!”

Gukesh’s Rise to Stardom

Despite the tax talk, this victory cements Gukesh’s status as a global chess star. With a net worth now approaching ₹21 crore, the young grandmaster has inspired chess enthusiasts across the country.

While the celebrations continue, Gukesh remains focused on future milestones, ready to achieve even greater success in his chess career. For him, this is just the beginning of an extraordinary journey.