Of course, Amritsar's predisposition as a chess manufacturing hub, which began with the ivory trade in the 19th century and continues with artisanal woodworking in the 21st century, came into play too.

India's aspiring chess players and their parents woke up Friday with big dreams after 18-year-old hometown hero Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest world champion.

The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12.