Gukesh Makes History, Caruana Falls Short in 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament

17-Year-Old Gukesh Makes History by Winning 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament

After 14 rounds and over three weeks of intense play, 17-year-old GM Gukesh Dommaraju has emerged as the winner of the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament. This remarkable achievement makes him the youngest player in history to win a Candidates Tournament, breaking records and setting new milestones in the world of chess.

In a nail-biting final game that lasted almost six hours, GM Fabiano Caruana was unable to secure a win against GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, which would have extended the tournament to tiebreaks. Gukesh’s draw against GM Hikaru Nakamura proved to be enough for him to advance to the next stage.

Former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi also had a stellar performance, winning the 2024 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament by a significant margin. She will now face GM Ju Wenjun in the upcoming FIDE Women’s World Championship in 2025, setting the stage for a rematch of their 2018 encounter.

Celebrating Gukesh’s Historic Win

Gukesh’s victory at the age of 17 has shattered previous records, making him the youngest winner of a Candidates Tournament by a significant margin. He is now set to play GM Ding Liren for the world champion title later this year, in what will be the first-ever world championship without a European player and the first all-Asian world championship.

With an impressive rating performance of 2847 across the 14 rounds, Gukesh has solidified his position as India’s number-one chess player and has even surpassed the current world champion in the world rankings by one point.

The world championship match is yet to be scheduled, but if Gukesh emerges victorious, he could potentially become the youngest undisputed world champion in history. This achievement would be a remarkable milestone in his already illustrious career.

Tan Zhongyi’s Triumph in the Women’s Candidates Tournament

Tan Zhongyi’s victory in the Women’s Candidates Tournament was equally impressive, as she dominated the competition from start to finish. Her strategic play and determination secured her the title, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch with GM Ju Wenjun in the upcoming FIDE Women’s World Championship.

Despite her initial modest expectations, Tan’s performance in the tournament was a testament to her skill and dedication to the game. Her preference for the Grand Swiss format highlights her strategic approach to chess and her ability to adapt to different playing styles.

With other notable performances in the tournament, including Vaishali Rameshbabu’s impressive winning streak, the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournaments have showcased the immense talent and competitive spirit of the players involved.

Congratulations to Gukesh and Tan on their well-deserved victories, and we look forward to witnessing their future successes in the world of chess.