Teenager Gukesh Dommaraju from India has made history by becoming the youngest chess world champion after defeating the reigning champion Ding Liren from China in a thrilling final match in Singapore. This victory, decided in the last game of a 14-game series, took place on Friday morning New Zealand time.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh has broken the previous record held by legendary chess player Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he first claimed the title back in 1985. Gukesh secured his championship win with a final score of 7.5 to 6.5 after demonstrating resilience in the final match, where he capitalized on a mistake by Ding, who, despite initially being in a strong position, faltered under pressure.
Ding Liren’s journey to this match was not without its challenges. After winning the title in 2023 against Ian Nepomniachtchi, he struggled in the following months, not having won a “classical” game since January and taking a step back from major competitions to regain his form. Although he started the match strong with a surprise victory in the opening round, his momentum waned after Gukesh’s two wins and a series of draws.
The intense competition had a significant prize fund of $2.5 million, and Gukesh’s path to the championship included triumphing at the Candidates tournament earlier this year. This contest is particularly noteworthy given that Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top player and former champion, stepped down from his title in 2022, citing a lack of motivation to continue.
Gukesh’s achievement not only highlights his exceptional talent at a young age but also signals a new era in chess, with fresh faces rising to the top of the game. His success can inspire many young players around the world to pursue their dreams in this challenging sport.
In summary, Gukesh Dommaraju’s victory as the youngest chess world champion represents a remarkable milestone in chess history and offers a hopeful narrative for the future of the game, showing that determination and skill can break long-standing records.
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