Gukesh Dommaraju: 18-year-old Indian becomes the youngest ever world chess champion

CNN
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Teenager Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest ever undisputed world champion in classical chess after beating Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in their best-of-14 final in Singapore on Thursday.

18-year-old Gukesh and defending champion Ding went into the final game tied and things looked to be heading for quick chess tiebreaks, but it was the youngster who was able to claim the decisive point after a blunder from Ding.

When his victory was confirmed, Gukesh burst into tears as the emotion of his victory seemed to wash over him, while Ding could only sit with his head in his hands in disbelief.

After standing with his arms in the air in celebration, Gukesh was escorted out of the building where he shared a long embrace with his father.

Clip on social media showed fans back in India wildly celebrating Gukesh’s victory, cheering and hugging as he became the 18th world chess champion and just the country’s second world champion after Viswanathan Anand.

Afterwards, a jubilant Gukesh admitted that he had not initially recognized Ding’s mistake in the final game. But when he realized his Chinese opponent had made the crucial mistake, he said “it was probably the best moment of my life.”

At 18, he is four years younger than the legendary Garry Kasparov was when the Russian won his first world title in 1985.

Gukesh added in his press conference, “My journey, it’s since the time I started playing chess at six and a half, seven years old. I’ve been dreaming of this moment for more than 10 years.

“Every chess player wants to experience this moment, and very few get the chance. To be one of them – I think the only way to explain it is that I’m living my dream. I want to thank God first and above all, this whole journey that started from the qualification (qualifying tournament) and then to get here, it could only be possible by God.

“And I’m grateful for all the people who have been by my side on this journey. I want to thank each and every one of them, but I’ll probably have to prepare my speech first, because (with) that kind of emotions I’m feeling right now, I want to say something stupid.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gukesh, writes on X: “Historical and exemplary! Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable achievement. This is the result of his exceptional 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 strive for excellence. My best wishes for his future endeavours.”

Anand also praised his compatriot for bringing the World Cup back to India.

“Congratulations! It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India, a proud moment for the WACA, and for me a very personal moment of pride,” Anand wrote X. “Ding played a very exciting match and showed the champion he is.”