Gukesh Dommaraju Becomes Youngest-Ever World Chess Champion

Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, becomes youngest world chess champion, defeating China’s Ding Liren

Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest world chess champion at 18 years old. He defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in a tense final round of the FIDE World Chess Championship held in Singapore on Thursday.

Dommaraju broke the previous record set by Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who won the title at 22 in 1985. The prodigy from Chennai, India’s chess capital, became a chess grandmaster at just 12 years old and is now the second Indian to win the world title, after Viswanathan Anand.

Read More: Arjun Erigaisi ranks on Top in Chennai Grand Masters Chess!

Going into the final game, both players were tied with a score of 6.5 points each after eight draws and two wins apiece in the 14-game tournament. Playing with black pieces, Dommaraju capitalized on a critical mistake by Ding, who moved his rook into a vulnerable position. This blunder handed the game to Dommaraju, who won with a final score of 7.5 to 6.5.

🇮🇳 Gukesh D 🥹
Ladies and gentlemen, the 18th WORLD CHAMPION! #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/CgzYBgeTfq

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024

The victory was emotional for the young champion. “I did not really expect to win from that position,” Dommaraju said, tearing up as cheers erupted in the room.

Ding, who had won the championship in 2023 as China’s first world chess champion, struggled with form throughout the year, taking a break from chess to focus on mental health. Although he showed flashes of brilliance in earlier rounds, the pressure of the final game led to a critical error that cost him the title.

Dommaraju’s journey to the top began when his parents, a surgeon and a medical professor, enrolled him in chess classes after school. Coaches quickly recognized his talent, leading to intense training that paid off with numerous accolades, including becoming the third-youngest grandmaster in history at 12 years and seven months.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new champion, calling his achievement historic and exemplary. Dommaraju also credited yoga and mindfulness for helping him manage the pressures of his career.

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… https://t.co/fOqqPZLQlr pic.twitter.com/Xa1kPaiHdg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2024

With a $2.5 million prize fund, the FIDE World Chess Championship has crowned Dommaraju as the 18th world chess champion, marking a proud moment for India and the chess world.

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join. 

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.