Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh Made History
Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history on Thursday by winning the World Chess Championship in Singapore. The 18-year-old defeated China’s Ding Liren, the defending champion, with a final score of 7.5-6.5. Gukesh is now the youngest player ever to win this prestigious title, breaking the previous record held by Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who won it at age 22 in 1985.
History scripted!🇮🇳
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) December 12, 2024
At just 18, Gukesh D. conquers the chess world, becoming the youngest-ever World Champion by defeating Ding Liren in a nerve-wracking finale. From meditative focus to fearless moves, Gukesh has redefined brilliance on the global stage. India celebrates its… pic.twitter.com/inzIPybZpU
A Thrilling Final Match
The championship, which began on November 25, concluded with the 14th game on December 12. The score was tied at 6.5-6.5 after 13 games, but Gukesh secured his victory with a brilliant move in the final game. After the match, Gukesh described the winning moment as the “best of my life,” explaining how a mistake by Liren allowed him to make a decisive move.
Victory of Gukesh D : A Beacon for Young Dreamers Across India!
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 12, 2024
Heartfelt congratulations to Gukesh D for the extraordinary achievement for becoming the youngest chess champion and winning the 2024 FIDE World Championship in Singapore! At the age of 18, your relentless hard… pic.twitter.com/SY2uVn0Frb
This victory makes Gukesh the second Indian to become World Chess Champion, following Viswanathan Anand, who won the title in 2012.
A Historic Journey
Gukesh’s journey to the top has been remarkable. At age 17, he won the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament, becoming the youngest player to achieve that feat. In this championship, he excelled with wins in the 3rd, 11th, and 14th games, while eight games ended in draws. Liren won two games, including a crucial comeback in the 12th.
Record Prize Money
This championship marked the first time two Asian players competed for the title. Gukesh earned an impressive ₹11.45 crore in prize money, while Liren took home ₹9.75 crore.
Who is D Gukesh?
Born on May 7, 2006, in Chennai, Dommaraju Gukesh began playing chess at age 7 under the guidance of Bhaskar Nagaiya. Later, he trained with Viswanathan Anand, who helped refine his skills. Gukesh’s parents are professionals—his father is a doctor, and his mother is a microbiologist.
Gukesh has also contributed to India’s success in team events, including the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where he led India to victory in the Open category.
This historic win cements Gukesh’s status as a chess prodigy and an inspiration for young players worldwide.