World Chess Championship 2024: India's D Gukesh became the youngest-ever world champion on Thursday, December 12. The 18-year-old defeated China's Ding Liren in the decisive Game 14 to clinch the prestigious title.
"Historic and exemplary!" - says PM Narendra Modi.
Dommaraju Gukesh, at age 18, is four years younger than Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov was when he won the title in 1985 at age 22.
Gukesh's strategy of maintaining pressure on Ding, who was a pawn down, ultimately paid off, leading to an unforced error from last year’s world champion in the closing stages.
"It's the best day of my life," Gukesh said.
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| India checkmates China. Now on chessboard! |
Born: 29 May 2006 (age 18 years), Chennai
Education: Velammal Vidyalaya Ayanambakkam
Peak rating: 2794 (October 2024)
Ranking: No. 5 (December 2024)
Title: Grandmaster (2019)
World Champion: 2024–present
Gukesh won the match 7.5-6.5 after securing three games in Singapore
He is the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the world title
Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju made history by becoming the youngest-ever world champion after defeating reigning champion Ding Liren in the decisive 14th game of the World Chess Championship match in Singapore on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh also became the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to claim the classical chess world championship title.
Gukesh shattered the record previously held by Russian legend Garry Kasparov, who had become the youngest world chess champion at the age of 22 in 1985.
Gukesh and Ding headed into the final game of the match on Thursday tied on 6.5 points each. The 14th game, in which Ding played with the white pieces, seemed destined for a draw until Ding made a crucial mistake on the 53rd move.
He applauded his opponent Ding for rallying against the odds and fighting hard over the last two weeks.
The Chennai prodigy has long been a superstar in the chess world, having attained the status of chess grandmaster at the age of 12.
But he was seen as the challenger going into the final of the FIDE World Chess Championship match held in Singapore this year - BBC.
"Historic and exemplary! 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. @DGukesh," - PM Modi tweeted.
"Ding seemed to have a risk-free chance to push for a win but instead liquidated into a pawn-down endgame," Chess.com wrote in its post-game summary. "It should have been drawn, but Ding blundered as the pressure grew."
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