Gukesh Shatters Records to Become Youngest World Champion

Dommaraju Gukesh’s rise to becoming the youngest chess world champion is a story of relentless ambition, focus, and resilience. At the age of 18, Gukesh defeated reigning champion Ding Liren in a grueling three-week-long contest in Singapore, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest chess world champion in history. His journey from a young boy declaring his ambition to this historic feat showcases extraordinary dedication and talent.

Key Highlights of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024

• Champion: D Gukesh of India, youngest world champion at age 18.
• Defending Champion: Ding Liren of China, who won the title in 2023.
• Venue: Singapore.
• Format: 14-round “classical” chess event with a prize fund of $2.5 million.
• Final Score: Gukesh – 7.5, Ding – 6.5.
• Decisive Game: Gukesh, playing with black pieces, won the 14th game after Ding’s critical blunder.

Match Highlights

• Gukesh had earlier qualified for the championship by winning the Candidates Tournament in April 2024.
• Magnus Carlsen, world champion since 2013, had relinquished his title in 2022 due to a lack of motivation.
• Ding’s form declined since his victory in 2023 over Ian Nepomniachtchi, with no classical wins since January.
• The match included,
• 2 wins for Gukesh.
• 2 wins for Ding, including a morale-boosting victory in the 12th round.
• 8 draws, demonstrating the tense and closely contested nature of the match.

Early Ambition

• At 11, Gukesh declared his dream of becoming the youngest chess champion in the world in a now-viral video.
• His focus and seriousness about chess set him apart from peers even at a young age.

Path to Greatness

• Missed becoming the world’s youngest grandmaster by just 17 days.
• Became India’s youngest grandmaster and later the youngest winner of the Candidates Tournament.
• Replaced Viswanathan Anand as the top-ranked Indian player after 36 years.

World Championship Victory

• Faced a setback by losing the first game but prepared meticulously for every outcome.
• Rebounded from setbacks, including a loss after taking the lead in game 11, by entering the playing arena with renewed determination.
• Demonstrated unwavering focus and a no-holds-barred approach to chess during the three-week competition.
• Ding Liren, his opponent, struggled with consistency, often settling for draws despite having an advantage.

Unmatched Composure

• Gukesh’s meditative focus at the chessboard contrasted with Ding’s occasional glances for emotional cues.
• Avoided distractions by minimizing social media usage during the championship.

Expert Predictions and Recognition

• Chess legend Susan Polgar recognized Gukesh’s special qualities early on, predicting his dominance in the field.
• Gukesh has yet to hit his peak potential, with experts believing he can dominate the chess world for years.

Historical Significance

• Gukesh joins an illustrious line of 18 world champions since 1886, including legends like Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Viswanathan Anand.
• He is the first teenager to become a world champion in chess.