Dommaraju Gukesh Makes History as Youngest Player to Qualify for World Chess Championship Title Match

Dommaraju Gukesh, a 17-year-old Indian grandmaster, has made history by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto. This victory has secured his spot as the youngest player ever to qualify for the title match in the World Chess Championship in the classical time control.

Gukesh’s achievement surpasses that of Garry Kasparov, the former world champion, who previously held the record for becoming the challenger for the crown at the age of 20 in 1983.

In an interview following his win, Gukesh expressed his surprise at his success, stating, “The way that I handled myself during the event and the way that I played my games — it was really something that I am happy about.” He credited his improvement over the past year and months for his victory.

The young grandmaster will now face Ding Liren, the reigning champion from China, in the title match. The International Chess Federation has yet to announce the site or dates of the match, but it is expected to take place in November. The match will be a best-of-14 series with a minimum prize fund of 2 million euros.

For his victory in the Candidates Tournament, Gukesh earned 111,000 euros. He competed against elite players such as Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura of the United States, as well as Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, who tied for second place with Gukesh.

Despite doubts from some, including former world champion Magnus Carlsen, Gukesh’s unexpected victory has solidified his place in chess history. His remarkable achievement serves as a testament to his skill and dedication to the game.