D. Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Chess Champion, Defeats Ding Liren

In a historic turn for Indian chess, 18-year-old D Gukesh won the 2024 World Chess Championship title in Singapore on Thursday, defeating Chinese champion Ding Liren. 

With this historic win, Gukesh becomes the youngest world champion in the history of classical chess and leaves his mark on the sport's history.

D. Gukesh Creates History

In addition to becoming the 18th overall world champion, Gukesh is just the second Indian to earn the coveted title, following in the great Viswanathan Anand's footsteps.

Both participants had earned 6.5 points from the first 13 games, putting them in an even position going into the last encounter. Game 14 was crucial for either player to win since the title was at stake.

Dream Come True…

"For the past ten years, I have been dreaming about this moment. "I am glad that I was able to make the dream come true," D. Gukesh told reporters following the momentous victory.

"I became a little emotional since I didn't think I would win. However, I was given the opportunity to continue," he continued.

"This is the fantasy that every chess player aspires to. "I'm living my dream," Gukesh declared.

In sharp contrast to the poker face he typically wears when playing, the reserved adolescent celebrated the victory by raising his arms and smiling broadly.

Youngest Challenger in World Chess History

Prior to Gukesh's achievement on Thursday, the renowned Russian Garry Kasparov, who defeated Anatoly Karpov in 1985 at the age of 22, was the youngest world champion.

After winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year, Gukesh went into the match as the youngest person to ever challenge for the world title. After the great Viswanathan Anand, he is the second Indian to win a world championship. Five-time world champion Anand lost to Magnus Carlsen in 2013 after winning the title the previous year.

Gukesh Wins the Tie-Breaker Game

Gukesh, the 18th world chess champion overall, defeated Liren in his fourteenth game after 58 moves in four hours.

The victor was to be determined in shorter tie-breaks on Friday if the game on Thursday was also drawn.

Before Thursday's pivotal match, Gukesh had won the third and eleventh rounds, while Liren, 32, had won the first and twelfth. Every other game in the match ended in a draw. 

ALSO READ: Who is D Gukesh? Youngest Contender in the 2024 World Chess Championship

ALSO READ: Who is Ding Liren? China’s World Champion Facing India's D. Gukesh in the Fight for the Title