D. Gukesh Becomes Youngest Ever World Chess Champion, Defeats Ding Liren

In a historic moment for the chess world, 18-year-old D. Gukesh defeated reigning champion Ding Liren to become the youngest World Chess Champion in history. Gukesh’s remarkable victory not only broke Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest champion (set in 1985) but also brought the prestigious title back to India—the birthplace of chess. This is the second time an Indian player has won the World Chess Championship, following Viswanathan Anand’s triumphs.

The final game of the championship in Singapore saw Ding Liren, despite holding a solid position, falter in the 14th game. As the match seemed headed for a draw, Ding blundered, giving Gukesh an opening to seal his victory. With this win, Gukesh clinched the title with a scoreline of 7.5-6.5 points, playing the Reti Opening, Kings Indian Attack variation from the black pieces.

Gukesh, visibly overwhelmed with emotion, smiled, covered his face, and made the decisive move that led to Ding’s resignation. The victory came after a mentally intense battle, where Gukesh had been mentally prepared for a tiebreaker. Ding, who had fought back with resilience throughout the tournament, admitted to being shocked by his blunder and praised Gukesh for his skillful play.

Although Gukesh celebrated his victory, he showed great respect for his opponent. After Ding left the arena, Gukesh bowed in front of the chessboard, rearranged the pieces, and clapped for his rival as a gesture of appreciation. Gukesh’s triumph signifies not just a personal achievement, but the dawn of a new era for Indian chess, cementing his place as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

This victory also marks the return of the World Chess Championship title to India after Magnus Carlsen’s withdrawal from the championship cycle. Gukesh’s journey, which includes overcoming a strong field of competitors, is an inspiration for aspiring players worldwide. Despite his success, Gukesh remained humble, acknowledging that this win motivates him to continue improving as he aims for even greater heights in the world of chess.