The Secret Game for Millions: Poles Behind the Scenes of the Chess World Championship

If someone were to tell you this story, you might think it was the plot of a spy thriller. Former CIA agents, encrypted messages, hidden cameras, and shadowy figures orchestrating a grand game from behind the scenes. Yet, this is not fiction; it’s reality. This is a reality where Poles play a pivotal role in helping 18-year-old Gukesh D. claim the title of the youngest world chess champion in history.

The secret was kept to the very end. Names were concealed, like the codes to a vault — until the day of triumph. Only then did the young champion reveal the composition of his coaching team. Among the seven members, four were Poles. Who would have expected our compatriots to play such a significant role in a match where millions of dollars and a place in chess history were at stake?

The Beginning: Planning Amid Frost and Snow

Gukesh, a young chess player from India, arrived in Poland in the dead of winter. It was here that the operation leading him to the top began. Warsaw, snow, and frost were exotic to him. Yet these conditions, far from the spotlight, allowed for focused preparations. As one of the coaches, Radosław Wojtaszek, explained:

— In India, Gukesh is a massive star. He wouldn’t have had any peace on the streets. In Poland, we worked in silence.

The initial steps toward his historic victory were taken alongside Wojtaszek and Grzegorz Gajewski — two seasoned Polish chess players who had themselves achieved international success. But those wintry preparations were just the start.

A Team Like a Special Unit

A key element of the strategy was the dispersion of the team. While Gajewski accompanied Gukesh in Singapore, the other members of the coaching staff were based in Spain. This was no coincidence — the time zone was ideal for analyzing the opponent’s moves during Singaporean nights.

— Wojtaszek revealed this was part of the plan from the very beginning. — We worked day and night, dissecting every move made by Ding Liren, Gukesh’s rival.

The team also included Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Poland’s best chess player, and 17-year-old Jan Klimkowski, a rising star in the world of chess. Klimkowski, despite his young age, brought fresh energy and helped ease the workload during the preparations.

The Secret Weapon: Experience and Technology

The Polish secondants had an advantage that cannot be overstated — experience in preparing for such prestigious matches. As a former coach of the legendary Viswanathan Anand, Wojtaszek knew how to handle pressure and psychological games from opponents.

— Wojtaszek recalled that we often engaged in backstage battles in past championships. — We raced against other teams to secure the latest software, protected our data, and occasionally had to employ methods straight out of the CIA playbook.

This time, however, the Chinese team supporting Ding Liren seemed to avoid psychological tricks. This gave the Poles the space to focus purely on strategy.

Moments of Crisis

The World Championship match lasted 18 days. It began with a sensation — Ding Liren won the opening game, shocking Gukesh’s camp.

— It was challenging, but Gukesh is very mature for his age. He bounced back quickly — Wojtaszek recounted.

Another blow came in the 12th game, when the young Indian unexpectedly lost, squandering his lead. But the Polish team ensured he didn’t falter. In the final match, Gukesh emerged victorious, and with him, so did those working tirelessly behind the scenes.

The Price of Victory

The prize pool amounted to $2.5 million, half of which went to the winner. But this story isn’t just about money. What the Poles achieved for Gukesh is a testament to their skills and the strength of Polish chess expertise.

— You have to be at an exceptionally high level to earn more as a player than as a coach. Coaching is highly lucrative but demands immense knowledge and dedication — Wojtaszek concluded.

A Polish Triumph in the Shadows

Though Gukesh claimed the title, the names of Poles who played a crucial role in this story are hidden behind his victory. Grzegorz Gajewski, Radosław Wojtaszek, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and Jan Klimkowski orchestrated this secret game. It is a game for millions, for the chess throne, but above all, for a place in history.

And while the world’s eyes were on Gukesh, behind his success stood Poles, quietly in the shadows, but with a passion and determination that carried them to the pinnacle of the chess world.

Source: Filip Zieliński, Polacy dochowali tajemnicy. Pomogli zdobyć fortunę.