Achieving the Lifelong Dream
Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh, who recently became the youngest World Chess Champion at 18, shared his thoughts on achieving his lifelong dream. Gukesh defeated China’s defending champion Ding Liren in an intense 14-game series, clinching the title with a decisive move in the final match.
“A Childhood Dream Come True”
Reflecting on his victory, Gukesh said, “When I was seven, I dreamed of becoming a world champion. Today, that dream came true, and I couldn’t hold back my emotions.” The winning moment came when Liren made a rare mistake in the final game. “His blunder was the best moment of my life. I immediately knew the match was in my hands,” Gukesh explained.
The final moments of the making of the youngest ever World Chess Champion! @DGukesh displayed an incredible level of fighting spirit, nerves of steel, outstanding mental toughness, insane level of self confidence, etc., all qualities of a champion, and he just turned 18 at the… pic.twitter.com/IYPsUnAvuS
— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) December 12, 2024
Battling a Chess Legend
Praising his opponent, Gukesh described Liren as one of the greatest players in chess history. “Despite facing challenges in recent years, Liren played like a true champion. Competing against him in such a tough series was an honour,” he said.
Gukesh also highlighted the significance of bringing the title back to India, saying, “Since watching the World Championship final in 2013, I have dreamed of sitting in that chair with the Indian flag. Today, I fulfilled that dream.”
A Journey of Sacrifice and Support
Gukesh credited his parents for their unwavering support. “Both my parents are sports lovers and believed in my dream even more than I did. Their sacrifices and encouragement have been my greatest inspiration,” he said, adding that the first conversation with his mother after the win was filled with tears of joy.
Congratulations to D. Gukesh on becoming the youngest World Chess Champion at just 18!
— Radheyshyam singh Yadav (@RadheyshyamBJP) December 12, 2024
His achievement marks a new era in chess and inspires millions to aim for greatness.
This success reflects his exceptional talent, relentless effort, and unshakable dedication. His victory… pic.twitter.com/htSYVF0Ric
The Emotional Victory
Gukesh admitted that he wasn’t sure he would win the final game and had prepared for a possible tie-breaker. “When the opportunity came, everything happened so quickly. I couldn’t control my emotions,” he shared.
With this historic win, Gukesh has cemented his place in chess history, becoming only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to claim the World Chess Championship title. His victory is a source of pride and inspiration for young chess players across India and the world.