In a historic achievement, 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh has become the youngest world chess champion, defeating Chinese GM Ding Liren in the final Game 14 of the World Chess Championship held in Singapore. Gukesh’s victory marks a monumental moment in chess history, as he surpasses the previous record held by Garry Kasparov, who won the title at 22.
The championship concluded with both players tied at 6.5 points after 13 intense games, necessitating a win in the final match. Ding, opting for a reverse Grunfeld opening, aimed to avoid an easy draw. However, Gukesh responded confidently, maneuvering his pieces effectively to create an asymmetrical pawn structure.
Throughout the game, both competitors applied pressure, with Ding attempting traps to unsettle Gukesh. Despite facing challenges, Gukesh maintained his composure and pushed into the endgame after trading rooks and queens. As time dwindled for Ding, who was left with under 10 minutes on the clock compared to Gukesh’s hour, a crucial blunder by Ding allowed Gukesh to seize victory.
With this win, Gukesh not only becomes the second Indian world champion after ViswanathanAnand but also solidifies his status as one of chess’s brightest young talents. His triumph is celebrated as a significant milestone in the sport’s history.