SINGAPORE (Diya TV) — 18 year old Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju (D.) Gukesh went into the annals of history as he became the world’s youngest chess champion. Gukesh defeated Chinese chessmaster Ding Liren of China 7.5 to 6.5 in the World Chess Championship that was held in Singapore in a dramatic win in what marks a new beginning for chess in the world. His victory, coming after 58 intense moves in a four-hour match, earned him the highly coveted title and a large share of the $2.5 million prize purse.
Gukesh is only the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand. The victory also broke a long-standing record set by Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he became the youngest world champion in 1985.
Born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, Gukesh started playing chess when he was just seven years old. His parents, Dr. Rajinikanth and Dr. Padma, encouraged him and soon, he gained widespread recognition in local tournaments. His first major victory was in 2015 by winning the Under-9 Asian School Chess Championship. As of 2019, he became the third-youngest Grandmaster ever in history, gaining this title at just 12 years and 7 months.
Gukesh became the youngest player to reach a rating of 2750 in 2023 and overtook Anand to become India’s chess top-ranked player. He was part of the team that helped India win its first Chess Olympiad gold medal ever, showing his leadership quality with teammates such as Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa.
The World Chess Championship saw Gukesh’s skill and resilience at their best. Having taken an early lead, with wins in Games 3 and 11, and some back-and-forth victories with Liren, Gukesh sealed the decisive 14th game. His victory not only sealed the title but also symbolized the arrival of a new era in Indian chess.
Celebrating his triumph, Gukesh, typically reserved, raised his arms in a rare show of emotion. This historic win cements his place among the greatest chess players in the world and inspires aspiring players globally. His journey from a child prodigy to the 18th world chess champion is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.
