Chess: 18-year-old D Gukesh creates history, becomes the youngest world champion

India has created history in the World Chess Championship. Indian chess player D Gukesh has become the World Champion. Gukesh D won the World Championship title by defeating China’s Ding Liren. India’s 18-year-old Grandmaster Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren in the 14th and final game and achieved the honour of becoming the World Champion. Gukesh has also become the first Indian to win this prestigious title after Vishwanathan Anand. After becoming the World Champion, Gukesh could not control his emotions and tears of joy started flowing from his eyes. Gukesh became the youngest player to challenge for the world title after winning the Candidates Tournament earlier this year. After becoming the World Champion, D Gukesh said that he had been dreaming of this moment for the last 10 years and he is happy that his dream has come true. 

China’s Ding Liren’s dream shattered

During this fortnight-long World Chess Tournament, Gukesh played brilliantly and made a great comeback after falling behind many times. In the end, he created history by winning the 14th game. China’s Liren became the world champion in 2023 with a win against Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi in a fluctuating match, but this time Gukesh shattered his dream.

 

 

Before Gukesh, Russian legend Garry Kasparov became the youngest world chess champion when he defeated Anatoly Karpov in 1985 to win the title at the age of 22. Gukesh entered the match as the youngest challenger for the world title after winning the Candidates Tournament earlier this year. He is the second Indian to win this title after the legendary Vishwanathan Anand. Five-time world champion Anand last won this title in 2013.

 

 

Gukesh created a sensation last year

Gukesh’s journey to the World Championship match began in December last year when he won the Chennai Grandmasters tournament to qualify for the Candidates Tournament. The American pair of Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura were considered strong contenders in the Candidates Tournament but Gukesh took the chess world by storm by defeating everyone, including R Praggnanandhaa.