Indias Gukesh wins World Chess title, becomes youngest ever champion at 18

Gukesh defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in a dramatic win to claim the title in Singapore

Teenager Gukesh Dommaraju of India made history on Thursday by defeating defending champion Ding Liren of China to become the youngest undisputed chess world champion.

The dramatic win came in the 14th and final game of the match, where Gukesh, 18, triumphed with a score of 7.5-6.5, clinching the title in Singapore.

Gukesh, four years younger than Garry Kasparov was when he became world champion in 1985, won the game with black pieces after Ding faltered under pressure. Despite a seemingly comfortable position, Ding made a blunder, allowing Gukesh to press on with a one-pawn advantage and secure the win.

“My whole strategy for this match was to push as much as possible in every single game,” Gukesh told reporters. “It just takes one game for the strategy to pay off.”

 

 

 

 

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Ding, 32, had been struggling for form since his 2023 World Championship victory over Ian Nepomniachtchi. Although he won a surprise round in the match, Gukesh’s two wins and eight draws were enough to see him through to victory.

The 14-game match, which had a prize fund of $2.5 million, saw Gukesh qualify in April through FIDE’s Candidates Tournament. Magnus Carlsen, the world number one who had held the title since 2013, had relinquished his crown in 2022.

“Becoming the world champion doesn’t mean that I’m the best player in the world, obviously there’s Magnus [Carlsen], so it’s also a motivating factor,” said Gukesh.

 

 

 

 

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The young Indian is the second player from India to win the prestigious title, following five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. Despite his win, Gukesh was quick to praise Ding’s efforts, calling him a “true champion.”

This victory marks a new chapter in the history of chess, with Gukesh now positioned to make his mark on the global stage.