18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju has just become the youngest chess world champion ever. He defeated the reigning champion, Ding Liren, in a thrilling final held in Singapore, leaving chess fans around the world in awe.
The tournament was intense, with Gukesh already being the youngest player in the competition. But his skill, focus, and determination led him to a hard-fought victory, winning the best-of-14 match by just one game. His triumph earned him a share of the impressive $2.5 million prize, but it was more than just the money – it was about history.
With this victory, Gukesh became only the second Indian player to win the title, following in the footsteps of five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Gukesh also broke a huge record, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the chess world title. The previous record was set by the legendary Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he first won the title in 1985.
The match reached a dramatic climax when Ding made a costly mistake in the final game. It was a tense moment – the players were neck and neck, and it looked like the match could go into tiebreaks. But after five hours of play, Ding’s error gave Gukesh the chance he had been waiting for. Gukesh seized the opportunity and won the championship.
After his victory, Gukesh shared his emotions, saying, “I was dreaming of this moment for the last ten years. I am happy that I realized the dream and made it into reality.” He admitted feeling emotional, as he hadn’t expected to win but was ready when the moment arrived.
This victory adds to what has been an incredible year for Gukesh. He also won the prestigious Candidates 2024 tournament and helped India win the Chess Olympiad. Even more impressively, Gukesh is the first teenager ever to become the World Chess Champion, showing that age is no barrier when it comes to skill and determination.
Gukesh’s journey to the top began years ago in his hometown of Chennai, southern India, where his parents – a doctor and a microbiologist – supported his passion for chess. He showed promise early on, winning the U-9 title at the Asian School Chess Championships in 2015. He didn’t stop there. Three years later, he won the U-12 World Youth Chess Championship. Along with other young chess stars like 19-year-old R. Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh is part of a new generation of Indian players that are making waves on the global chess scene. Many believe that these young talents are helping spark a “chess revolution” in India, especially in Chennai, where the game has become more popular than ever.
With his historic victory, Gukesh Dommaraju has not only proven his talent but has also inspired a new generation of chess players around the world. Who knows what incredible achievements await this young champion in the future?
