SINGAPORE, Singapore — Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, India, made history on Thursday, December 12, 2024, by becoming the youngest FIDE World Chess Champion.
Gukesh defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in a dramatic final match to claim the title, a landmark achievement in the chess world.
The victory marked the pinnacle of Gukesh’s meteoric rise in chess, capping a career that began with his designation as a grandmaster at the age of 12 years and seven months.
“This is surreal,” Gukesh said during the post-match press conference.
“I dreamt of this since I was seven, but I never thought it would happen so soon.”
A Tense Battle for the Crown
The championship match, held in Singapore, was tied after 13 games, with two wins apiece and nine draws.
In the decisive 14th game, a critical error by Ding on move 55 gave Gukesh the opportunity to secure the title.
Had the game ended in a draw, the match would have proceeded to tiebreaks at shorter time controls. Instead, Gukesh capitalised on Ding’s mistake to emerge victorious.
The win also earned Gukesh a share of the $2.5 million (£1.96 million) prize fund and cemented his place in chess history as the 18th world champion since the title was first contested in 1886.
Youngest Champion in History
Born in May 2006, Gukesh shattered the record for the youngest-ever world champion, previously held by Garry Kasparov, who won the title at age 22 in 1985.
Gukesh’s achievement has drawn comparisons to Kasparov’s dominance and is seen as a sign of India’s growing prominence in the global chess scene.
A Journey Fueled by Support and Determination
Gukesh’s rise is not the story of a lone genius but of a robust support system.
He hails from a chess-loving family and received early encouragement at a school chess camp.
His parents, both doctors, paused their careers to back his ambitions, even seeking financial support from friends to fund his international tournaments.
Gukesh’s mentor, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, provided guidance through the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy, where Gukesh honed his skills.
His school, Velammal Vidyalaya in Chennai, also supported his chess pursuits, granting him leave to compete globally.
“Chess is an expensive game when a child has to travel abroad for months,” his mother, Padma, a microbiologist, told reporters.
“We did everything we could to help him achieve his dreams.”
Achievements and Future Aspirations
Gukesh’s rapid ascent in chess has been marked by extraordinary accomplishments, including individual gold medals at the last two Olympiads.
He led India to a team bronze at the 2022 Chennai Olympiad and a gold medal at the 2024 Budapest Olympiad.
Despite being written off early in his career by some, including mentor Anand, Gukesh demonstrated resilience and an ability to learn from setbacks.
“This title is one step,” Gukesh said.
“I want to be the best chess player in the world, to surpass Magnus Carlsen, and to have a very long career at the top.”
A New Era for Indian Chess
Gukesh’s triumph underscores India’s emergence as a chess powerhouse. With over 85 grandmasters and a thriving chess culture, India has become a global leader in the sport.
“India is not just producing players; it’s producing champions,” Anand said, praising Gukesh’s victory as a watershed moment for Indian chess.
As Gukesh celebrates his historic achievement, he remains focused on his journey ahead, determined to redefine what is possible in the world of chess.
