India’s Gukesh Dommaraju has created history as he has become the youngest-ever world champion in the history of chess. The Indian star defeated defending champion Ding Liren in the final game to win the title. Gukesh has become the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to become the world champion in chess.
He became the youngest world chess champion at the age of 18 years, six months and two weeks. Playing with black in the 14th and final game of the Chess World Championship, Gukesh outclassed China’s Liren in a marathon game. The game was well-headed towards a tie, which would have taken this match into the tiebreaker but the Indian star clinched the title in 14 games with a scoreline of 7.5-6.5.
The match was heading towards a draw but the defending champion made a blunder at move 55 when he moved his rook to f2. Ding realised his mistake and had to eventually resign.
Gukesh was in tears and couldn’t hold himself back as at 18 years of age, he became the youngest ever to be crowned the chess world champion. After winning the match, Gukesh said he dreamt of winning the world chess title in 2013 when Viswanathan Anand, his Vishy sir, lost to Magnus Carlsen.
“In 2013 I watched Vishy sir lose. The title was taken away from India. I wanted to be in the same glass box (soundproof glass cabin or Fishtank, slang for where players compete for the chess championship) and bring back the title. That has been my dream for the last 10 years or so: to be in the glass box. And my best moment, before this, was when I entered the glass box for the first game.”
Continuing with his aggression, novelty and display of guts and nerves throughout the championship, Gukesh kept pressing for a win in a Rook-Bishop pawn endgame theoretically drawn at the grandmaster level.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gukesh’s historic and exemplary achievement. In a X post, he said “Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable accomplishment. This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination. His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence. My best wishes for his future endeavours”.
AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu congratulating him posted in X : “Heartiest congratulations to our Telugu boy, Indian Grandmaster. It is a matter of pride to become the world’s youngest chess champion at just 18 years of age and create history at the Singapore venue. The entire country is celebrating your amazing victory. I wish you many more victories and accolades in the coming decades.”
Though Gukesh grew up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, his hometown is East Godavari district in AP. Gukesh’s father Rajinikanth is a surgeon. Gukesh developed an interest in chess at the age of seven. With that passion, he has won many victories in chess competitions. He has already created a record as the Asian Chess Federation Player of the Year 2023.