World Chess Champion
Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest undisputed world chess champion after defeating China’s Ding Liren in a thrilling final match of their series in Singapore.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh’s emotional victory stunned the chess world, with the young champion breaking down in tears, burying his face in his hands after Ding resigned during a dramatic endgame.
What had been expected to end in a draw turned into a brilliant display of perseverance as Gukesh seized the opportunity. Moments later, he stood and raised both hands in victory, smiling triumphantly.
Gukesh’s strategy throughout the match was to push relentlessly in every game, a mindset he described in the post-match press conference.
He explained that it only took one game for his strategy to bear fruit, a statement that resonated with his supporters, many of whom were Indian fans who had flown in to cheer him on. The atmosphere was electric, with cheers and chants of his name filling the air.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gukesh for his “remarkable accomplishment,” emphasizing that the victory was the result of his “unparalleled talent, hard work, and unwavering determination.”
Modi expressed that Gukesh’s triumph not only secured his place in chess history but also inspired millions of young people to dream big and strive for excellence.
As part of the prize pool for the tournament, Gukesh and Ding will each receive a share of the $2.5 million prize money. Gukesh, with a score of 7.5 against Ding’s 6.5, will receive $1.35 million, while Ding will take home $1.15 million.
The final match saw Gukesh gain a one-pawn advantage, supported by a rook and a bishop. Ding, feeling the pressure, made a critical endgame blunder, which gave Gukesh the opportunity to claim victory.
Despite his loss, Ding acknowledged his mistake with shock, reflecting on the blunder he had made in the high-stakes moment.
Gukesh’s victory is particularly remarkable given his young age, as he surpassed the achievement of Russian legend Garry Kasparov, who won the world title at 22.
With his win, Gukesh became the second Indian after five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand to hold the world chess title. Anand, who has mentored Gukesh throughout his career, expressed immense pride in the young champion’s achievement.
In the 2024 chess series, Gukesh’s path to the world title began earlier in the year when he won the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, earning the right to challenge Ding.
The match, which started on November 25 at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, was marked by intense competition, with nine draws in 14 games. Gukesh’s determination led to a memorable win in game 11, followed by a series of drawn games and finally, his decisive victory in game 14.
Born to a doctor and a microbiologist, Gukesh’s passion for chess began at the age of seven, and he became India’s youngest grandmaster at just 12 years, seven months, and 17 days.
Alongside his dedication to chess, Gukesh has a lighthearted side, enjoying the TV sitcom “Friends” and maintaining his Hindu faith, often wearing a tilak during competitions.
As Gukesh celebrates this monumental achievement, he humbly acknowledged that this victory is just the beginning of his journey. His ultimate goal is to stay at the top of the chess world for as long as possible, and his future in the game looks exceedingly bright.
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