In a remarkable feat that captivated the chess world, 18-year-old Indian grandmaster D Gukesh became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion on Thursday, defeating China’s Ding Liren in a thrilling 14th and final game. Gukesh’s victory not only secured his place in history as the youngest champion but also made him the first teenager to claim the prestigious title.
The final game, which had seemed destined for a draw, took a dramatic turn when Ding Liren made a costly blunder by sacrificing his rook. Gukesh, ever vigilant, seized the opportunity and clinched the game, claiming the title with a score of 7.5 to Ding’s 6.5.
After the historic victory, an emotional Gukesh shared his thoughts with reporters, expressing how surreal the moment felt. “I was dreaming of this moment for the last 10 years. I’m happy to have turned that dream into reality,” the soft-spoken champion said, his voice thick with emotion. “I got a bit emotional because I wasn’t expecting to win. But when I got the chance, I pressed on.”
Gukesh, who has been a prodigy in the chess world for years, admitted that winning the World Championship felt like living a dream. “Every chess player wants to live this dream. I’m living my dream,” he said.
While celebrating his victory, Gukesh also paid tribute to his opponent, acknowledging Ding’s strength and sportsmanship. “To me, Ding is a real world champion. He fought like a true champion. I’m sorry for Ding and his team. I would like to thank my opponent,” Gukesh added, showing respect for the Chinese grandmaster’s efforts throughout the tournament.
The Chennai-based teenager also spoke about the immense support from his family, revealing that the dream of winning the World Chess Championship was even bigger for them than it was for him.
By defeating Ding, Gukesh became the 18th World Chess Champion in the history of the game, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest-ever titleholder. He is also only the second Indian to win the title, following Viswanathan Anand, who reigned as world champion five times.
In a battle that lasted 13 games over three weeks, Ding had fought valiantly, countering Gukesh’s aggressive play. But when Ding made the fateful rook blunder, Gukesh capitalized, solidifying his place as the new king of chess. The crowd erupted in cheers as Gukesh claimed the final rook and sealed his victory.
As Gukesh took a moment to collect himself before claiming victory, it was clear that this was not just the culmination of a tournament, but the start of a new era in chess.
