Historic Moment in Chess: India’s D Gukesh Becomes Youngest Chess World Champion

The world of chess recently witnessed a historic moment as India’s D Gukesh became the youngest Chess World Champion at the age of 18 years and 195 days, defeating Grandmaster and defending champion Ding Liren. In a 14-game contest between the two players, Liren made a critical blunder in the final moments of the last game, handing Gukesh a victory and the prestigious title.

This World Championship was particularly special as it featured two contestants from Asia for the first time in 138 years. Gukesh’s remarkable achievement has earned him a prize money of 21.21 Crore rupees, solidifying his place in chess history. Prior to Gukesh, Garry Kasparov of Russia had won the title at the age of 22 in 1985.

While chess matches typically conclude within a day, there have been rare instances where games have extended over multiple days. The longest recorded chess game took place during the World Junior Chess Championship in 1989 between Ivan Nikolic of Yugoslavia and Goran Arsovic of Serbia. Lasting a staggering 269 moves over four days, the game ended in a draw, leaving fans in awe of the players’ endurance and strategic prowess.

The match began with a Queen’s Pawn opening, leading both players into a defensive mode where caution and calculation were key. As the game progressed, the board became cluttered with pieces, and neither player was able to gain a significant advantage. The defensive approach continued for 269 moves until the game was declared a draw under the fifty-move rule, which states that a game is drawn if no capture is made and no pawn is moved in the previous fifty moves.

The contest between Nikolic and Arsovic showcased incredible patience and strategic thinking as both players refused to back down and tirelessly defended their positions. This remarkable display of skill and determination is a testament to the complexity and depth of the game of chess.