Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh Makes History as Youngest-Ever World Chess Champion

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion at just 18 years old. In a thrilling final game against China’s Ding Liren, Gukesh capitalized on his opponent’s error to secure victory in 58 moves, much to the delight of fans across the nation.

The intense match had Gukesh’s father, Rajnikanth, an ENT surgeon, nervously pacing outside the room. When he learned of his son’s victory, a heartwarming video captured his emotional reaction, ranging from disbelief to pure joy, culminating in a touching father-son hug that has since gone viral.

The Government of India shared the emotional video on their Instagram account, celebrating Gukesh’s remarkable achievement. Born on May 29, 2006, Gukesh achieved the Grandmaster title at just 12 years old and went on to win the Candidates Tournament in 2024, earning a spot in the World Chess Championship.

Gukesh’s victory earned him a prize of USD 1.35 million (approximately ₹11.45 crore) from the total $2.5 million prize pool. Each classical game win was valued at $200,000, with Gukesh securing three wins and Ding Liren winning two games. The remaining prize money is being divided equally between the players, with Gukesh’s total earnings amounting to $1.35 million.

This historic win solidifies Gukesh’s place in chess history and cements his status as one of India’s brightest chess talents. Fans and supporters are eagerly awaiting his future successes on the global stage.