Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh: Youngest World Chess Champion

Indian chess prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh made history today by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion. The 18-year-old defeated reigning champion Ding Liren of China in a thrilling 14th and final match of the FIDE World Chess Championship held in Singapore. The intense endgame, stretching into its fifth hour, saw Ding make a costly error on the 55th move, sealing Gukesh’s historic victory.

Gukesh clinched the championship with a final score of 7.5 points, surpassing Ding’s 6.5 points. Across the 14-match series, Gukesh secured three victories, Ding won two, and the remaining nine games ended in draws.

Visibly emotional after his triumph, Gukesh shook hands with Ding before breaking down in tears. “This is the best moment of my life,” he said, overwhelmed by the significance of his achievement.

At just 18, Gukesh has surpassed legendary figures like Garry Kasparov, who became World Chess Champion at 22. He is also only the second Indian to win the title, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand, a four-time World Chess Champion.

Viswanathan Anand himself extended his congratulations, calling it a proud moment for both chess and India. Sharing his sentiments on social media platform X, Anand described Gukesh’s victory as a deeply personal moment of pride.

President Droupadi Murmu also lauded Gukesh’s achievement, celebrating it as a testament to India’s growing dominance in chess. “Your victory has made the entire nation proud,” she wrote in a social media post, wishing him continued success.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the nation in celebrating Gukesh’s milestone. In a social media message, he hailed Gukesh’s historic achievement as a reflection of his talent, determination, and hard work. “Your triumph inspires millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence,” the Prime Minister stated.

Gukesh’s remarkable rise has etched his name in the annals of chess history, inspiring a new generation of players to reach for greatness.