Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old chess player from India, has achieved a historic milestone by defeating the reigning champion Ding Liren of China to become the youngest chess world champion. This remarkable victory occurred during the final game of a tightly contested 14-game match in Singapore.
At the young age of 18, Gukesh has made history by surpassing Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he claimed the title in 1985. Gukesh clinched the win with the black pieces, capitalizing on a mistake from Ding during a match that had been deemed favorable for the Chinese player, ultimately ending the contest with a score of 7.5-6.5.
Ding’s performance has seen a sharp decline since he secured his title against Ian Nepomniachtchi in 2023. Since then, he has struggled to win in long-time classical formats, with his last victory occurring in January. Despite this downturn, he demonstrated resilience, even leveling the match in round 12 after a notable win, which had commentators praising his performance.
The championship match featured a staggering prize fund of $2.5 million and consisted of classical long-time chess games. Gukesh earned his place in the competition by clinching victory in the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen, who had held the world champion title since 2013, stepped down in 2022, expressing a loss of motivation.
This milestone is not only a significant personal achievement for Gukesh but also a moment of pride for Indian chess, inspiring a new generation of players. The young champion’s victory highlights the rising talent in the sport and the global excitement surrounding chess.
Overall, Gukesh’s success opens new horizons for him and demonstrates the potential for youthful players to make a significant impact in the world of chess.
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