D Gukesh Earned More Than The President Last Year? Reports Detail Young World Champion’s Winnings – News18

Last Updated:January 12, 2025, 12:56 IST

The young Indian was also touted as the biggest winner in Chess last year, eclipsing the likes of Ding Liren and Alireza Firouzja, and even the legendary Magnus Carlsen.

From World Champion to now a millionaire? D Gukesh’s rise to superstardom in the world of Chess came with quite the paycheck as well, as the 18-year-old is speculated to have earned upwards of more than $1.5 million over the past year, a salary that is higher than that of the President of the United States of America.

As per reports on Chess.com, the World Champion has made close to $15,77,842 (Rs 13.6 crore) approximately from winnings through the year alone and was among the select group of Chess players to cross the one millon-dollar threshold.

Now, going by the record, the US president is paid $4,00,000 a year (this figure is specified in Title 3 of the US Code) besides an additional $50,000 for expenses, $1,00,000 travel account and $19,000 entertainment budget. So, it is true that Gukesh has theoreticallly out-earned the highest member of office in the United States over the past year.

One important thing to note here is that the reported figure above doesn’t even take into question the cash prizes that Gukesh has won from state government and various other benefactors.

The young Indian was also touted as the biggest winner in Chess last year, eclipsing the likes of Ding Liren and Alireza Firouzja, and even the legendary Magnus Carlsen.

One may assume that reaching the peak of the Chess world in historic fashion, may satisfy one’s appetite. That’s not the case with Gukesh, who already has his eyes set on his next goal: face off against Magnus Carlsen.

The 18-year-old Indian GM ousted Chinese GM Ding Liren in Game 14 of the World Chess Championships to become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport in December last year.

With his monumental win, Gukesh became the 18th GM and just the second Indian GM, after the legendary Viswanthan Anand, to win the world championship title.

But, Gukesh also understands that the title doesn’t always indiate the truth. For in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. And when it comes to chess, there is none better than the legendary Magnus Carlsen, a dream opponent he is yet to conquer in his career as the now-reigning World Champion.