In a world where chess mastery is revered as a sign of intellectual prowess, one 18-year-old boy from India is aiming to checkmate time itself. Gukesh, a prodigious talent with a name that sounds like a quirky dance move, is setting his sights on becoming the youngest player ever to ascend to the throne of the Chess World Champion—an ambition that has led him to engage in some rather unique strategies. According to sources close to the young chess wiz, Gukesh has been known to practice not only with traditional chess sets but also with unconventional materials. "Why limit yourself to wood or plastic when you can use fruit? I mean, have you ever tried playing chess with oranges?” he quipped, citing his inspiration from renowned chef Gordon Ramsay. “Nothing like the threat of a spoiling citrus to up the stakes!” Gukesh's rise hasn’t been without its share of eccentricities. His family home has turned into a veritable chess academy, albeit one with a flair for the dramatic. "Every match is accompanied by a soundtrack," said his father, Dr. Rajinikanth, who can often be found sporting a beret and a monocle as he conducts imaginary orchestras during his son's practice sessions. “It really brings a whole new level to the term ‘strategic music’.” While rivals worry about lingering mental damage after facing the young prodigy, Gukesh is nonchalant about potential mind games. "I've been using ‘The Sound of Silence’ as my background music to confuse my opponents," he said, while also advising them not to underestimate the power of a well-timed sneeze. “You’d be surprised how that can throw someone off their game!” But it’s not just Gukesh’s peculiar practice methods that have people talking; it’s also his bold fashion choices during tournaments. Instead of the typical suits favored by grandmasters, Gukesh opts for a range of costumes, including a medieval knight outfit and a dazzling sequined cape. “Chess is a performance art, darling,” he remarked while adjusting his monocle, “and I intend to dazzle my opponents into submission!” The chess community is simultaneously awed and perplexed by Gukesh’s antics, with some calling him a genius and others branding him just another quirky kid with lofty dreams. However, Gukesh remains undaunted, declaring, “Just like pawns have the potential to become queens, I’m here to prove that even the youngest of us can take down the kings!” As Gukesh continues his quest for chess supremacy, many are left wondering if he’ll succeed in his race against time—or if time itself might just checkmate him in a surprising turn of events. Only future tournaments will tell if this youthful reveler will reign supreme or simply become a lost piece on the grand chessboard of life.