Gukesh Dommaraju Makes History as Youngest World Chess Champion

India’s 18-year-old chess prodigy, Gukesh Dommaraju, has made history by becoming the youngest world chess champion ever. In a tense championship match in Singapore, Gukesh defeated defending champion Ding Liren 7½-6½ to claim the title and a share of the $2.5 million prize fund.

Gukesh, already the youngest challenger to compete for the world title, secured the victory in the final of the best-of-14 classic games. This remarkable achievement makes him India’s second world chess champion, following in the footsteps of five-time champion Viswanathan Anand.

The teenager’s journey to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary. A grand master at just 12 years old, Gukesh has broken records and achieved milestones at a rapid pace. He is now the youngest player to reach a FIDE rating of 2,750 and the third youngest to reach a rating of 2,700.

On the other hand, Ding Liren, ranked 22nd in the world, faced challenges during his reign as world champion. Taking a break from the sport for mental health reasons, Ding struggled to maintain his form leading up to the championship match against Gukesh.

The championship match was a closely contested affair, with both players level on points heading into the final game. In a dramatic turn of events, Ding made a crucial blunder in Game 14, allowing Gukesh to claim the title without the need for tiebreakers.

Gukesh’s victory marks a new chapter in the world of chess, as the young prodigy continues to make waves in the sport. His remarkable rise to the top serves as an inspiration to aspiring chess players around the world.