In a historic moment for the world of chess, India’s D. Gukesh became the youngest World Chess Champion by defeating China’s Ding Liren in a 14-round match at the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024, held in Singapore. The 18-year-old prodigy emerged victorious after a dramatic final game, marking a monumental achievement for the chess community and India.
The Championship Showdown
The championship match was intensely competitive. Gukesh and Ding Liren are tied at 6.5 points each after 13 grueling games. The decisive 14th round saw intense competition, with Gukesh capitalizing on a critical mistake made by Ding Liren in the endgame. Gukesh’s victory brought his final score to 7.5 points, clinching the title and making him the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, surpassing the legendary Garry Kasparov’s record of 22 years set in 1985.
A Rising Star in Chess
Born in 2006, Gukesh Dommaraju hails from a Telugu family in Chennai. His father, Dr. Rajnikanth, is an ENT surgeon, and his mother, Dr. Padma, is a microbiologist. Gukesh began playing chess at the age of seven, showing an early aptitude for the game. By 12, he had already achieved significant milestones, including winning the Under-9 Asian School Chess Championship in 2015 and five gold medals at the Asian Youth Championship in 2018.
Gukesh’s meteoric rise continued as he earned the title of International Master in 2017 and achieved a chess rating of 2750 in 2023, surpassing Indian legend Viswanathan Anand’s peak rating. His exceptional performance in the Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, where he won a gold medal and helped India secure its first Olympiad gold, further cemented his status as a global chess powerhouse.
Joining the Ranks of Legends
With this victory, Gukesh becomes the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship after Viswanathan Anand, who last held the title in 2013. Anand, a five-time world champion, congratulated the young grandmaster on his historic achievement. Gukesh’s triumph has sparked celebrations across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and numerous dignitaries lauding his accomplishment.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted, “Congratulations to D. Gukesh on winning the prestigious World Chess Championship. He has become the youngest world champion in the history of chess. Your hard work and dedication have made the entire nation proud.”
Garry Kasparov, the previous record holder as the youngest world champion, praised Gukesh’s achievement and highlighted India’s promising future in chess. “India is a nation with an unlimited pool of human talent, combined with the freedom to explore and develop it. The future is bright—not only in chess. We have reached the summit, and now we need to aim even higher for the next ascent. Congratulations again. Upward!” Kasparov wrote.
Kasparov also reflected on Viswanathan Anand's transformative role in popularizing chess in India, noting the ripple effects of his contributions to the sport.
Anand himself, a five-time world champion, expressed immense pride in Gukesh’s success. “Congratulations! It’s a proud moment for chess; a proud moment for India; a proud moment for WACA; and for me, a very personal moment of pride. Ding played a very exciting match and showed the champion he is,” Anand wrote.
Speaking to India Today, Anand elaborated on Ding’s critical error and commended Gukesh’s perseverance. "Amazingly, he is the youngest world champion in history." That’s a huge, huge achievement. He managed to play extremely well in his maiden World Championship. And we had a pleasant surprise today. It was not accidental. He was rewarded for his perseverance, even though it seemed like a futile endeavor. Nine times out of ten, you may not receive a reward. But his attitude and Ding’s mistake gave us that beautiful ending,” Anand said.
The Legacy of D. Gukesh
Gukesh’s journey from a child prodigy to the youngest world champion is a testament to his dedication, skill, and passion for chess. His achievements have inspired countless young players in India and around the world to pursue excellence in the game. As India celebrates this landmark moment, the chess world watches in awe of this young maestro, who has not only rewritten history but also set new standards for the future of the game.
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