In a historic moment for chess, Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old prodigy from India, has become the youngest world champion in the history of the game. Gukesh clinched the title by defeating Ding Liren, the reigning champion from China, in a dramatic final game of the 2024 World Chess Championship held in Singapore.
The championship match, which spanned three weeks and consisted of 14 games, culminated in a nail-biting finale on December 12, 2024. Both players entered the final game tied at 6.5 points each, with Gukesh needing a victory to secure the title outright. The match was intense, with Gukesh playing as Black against Ding’s White pieces. As the game progressed into its fifth hour, it appeared that both players were heading towards a tiebreaker due to the evenly matched positions.
However, a critical blunder by Ding in the closing moments allowed Gukesh to seize the opportunity and secure victory with a final score of 7.5-6.5. Throughout the match, Ding had struggled with time management, often trailing significantly on the clock. By move 23, he was down by 23 minutes compared to Gukesh, which proved detrimental as the pressure mounted.
This victory not only marks a personal triumph for Gukesh but also sets a remarkable record; he is now the youngest player to ever hold the title of World Chess Champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won his first championship in 1985. Gukesh’s win is particularly significant as he becomes the first Indian world champion since Viswanathan Anand, who last held the title in 2012.
Gukesh’s journey to this championship began with his success in the Candidates Tournament earlier this year, where he emerged as the challenger for Ding Liren’s title. His strategic play and resilience throughout the tournament showcased his immense talent and potential for future greatness in chess.
As celebrations begin for this young champion, Gukesh’s victory is expected to inspire a new generation of chess enthusiasts in India and around the world.
