In brief
In an exhilarating finale, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju defeats Ding Liren to seize the title of the youngest world chess champion, marking a monumental achievement in his career and Indian chess history.
Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju has made headlines worldwide by becoming the youngest chess champion in history at just 18 years old. The Chennai-born talent triumphed over defending champion Ding Liren of China in a high-stakes match held in Singapore, where Gukesh entered as the challenger. The prestigious FIDE World Chess Championship boasts a prize fund of $2.5 million, highlighting the significance of this victory.Gukesh’s journey to this remarkable achievement began when he earned the title of grandmaster at the tender age of 12 years and seven months, propelling him into the chess limelight. Reflecting on his dream of becoming world champion since he was just seven years old, inspired by attending a World Title match in 2013, Gukesh expressed his amazement at achieving his goal sooner than he had anticipated.Following his dramatic victory, Gukesh confided to the BBC that the match was intense: "Throughout the match, I had several chances to clinch victories, but I started getting nervous when I was close to winning." Despite initial setbacks, Gukesh persevered and eventually exploited an error by Ding during the decisive 14th game to secure the championship.With this victory, Gukesh became the 18th world champion since the inaugural match in 1886, smashing the previous record held by Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won in 1985. This match was a nail-biter, as it concluded a four-game series that ended with each player having won two games. A potential tiebreaker loomed as game 14 appeared destined for a draw, but a blunder from Ding opened the door for Gukesh’s triumph.Gukesh's rapid ascent also includes earning individual gold at the FIDE Chess Olympiad and leading India to various team medals in recent competitions. The support from his mentor, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, has been instrumental throughout Gukesh's career. Initially, Anand had doubts about Gukesh’s readiness for the championship, but the young star has proven him wrong, overcoming challenges with sheer talent and resilience.In addition to excelling in chess, Gukesh benefits from a strong support network, including his parents—both physicians—who have made sacrifices to nurture his talent. His academic institution, Velammal Vidyalaya, also played a supportive role in allowing him to pursue chess alongside his studies.As Gukesh now finds himself in the global spotlight, the young champion remains grounded, aiming to continually improve and ultimately surpass the current number one, Magnus Carlsen. Alongside his dedication to chess, Gukesh enjoys swimming, meditation, and tennis, indicating a well-rounded approach to life.At only 18, Gukesh Dommaraju is not just a young talent but a trailblazer, heralding a new era for Indian chess with hopes for a long-standing career at the pinnacle of the sport.
