Grandmaster D. Gukesh knows how to gain from pain.

The 17-year-old, after becoming the youngest Candidates chess champion, revealed that it was his seventh-round defeat to Iranian-French Grandmaster Firouza Alireza which motivated him to go for the title.

"I was feeling really good from the start, but after my seventh-round loss against Alireza, I was really upset. It was a painful loss. But the next day I had a rest day and was feeling my absolute best.

"The loss kind of provided me with the energy and motivation. After the loss, I really felt that if I continue doing the right thing, and I am in the right mental state, then I can really go for the wins," he added.

By virtue of winning the Candidates, Gukesh is now the youngest challenger for the world championship title. For that, he will take on China's Ding Liren later this year.

Gukesh, only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the Candidates, said he was "super happy" after his triumph.

"It was a beautiful moment, I was so happy and relieved to have officially made it. I was just super happy.

"The focus from the beginning of the tournament was to trust the process, to be in the right mindset and play the right chess.

"I think throughout the tournament, I managed to do that well and consider myself fortunate enough to have the results go my way."

On what will be his plan for the world title match, the dates and venue for which are yet to be decided, he said: "I did not have much time to think... I am really looking forward to the build-up for the match."

Right now though, he is "going to relax for a few days."