India's D. Gukesh made history on December 12, 2024, by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion at the age of 18. In a thrilling title match in Singapore, Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 to claim the prestigious title. With this victory, Gukesh broke a 39-year-old record held by Garry Kasparov, who had won the World Championship in 1985 at the age of 22. Gukesh’s triumph not only cemented his place in chess history but also made him the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the World Chess Championship.
At the closing ceremony, a beaming Gukesh shared the moment with his mother, J. Padmakumari, who was present to witness her son's monumental achievement. After receiving the championship trophy, Gukesh passed it to his mother, who was visibly filled with pride and joy. The emotion of the moment reflected the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that led to this historic victory.
The road to the title, however, was not smooth for Gukesh. He had a rocky start, losing the first game of the series. But the young chess prodigy quickly regained his composure and demonstrated exceptional resilience, leveling the score at 6.5-6.5 after 13 games. The 14th game was expected to end in a draw, pushing the match to a thrilling tie-breaker. However, Ding Liren’s blunder on his 53rd move handed Gukesh a golden opportunity, and the Indian grandmaster seized the moment, securing the final point needed to win the match and the title.
In the post-match press conference, Gukesh reflected on his journey, particularly his childhood dream of bringing the World Chess Championship back to India. He recalled how, when Magnus Carlsen triumphed over Viswanathan Anand in 2013 in Chennai, he set a goal for himself to become the next Indian to win the prestigious title. "When Magnus won, I wanted to be the one to bring back the title to India. This dream that I had more than 10 years ago is the single-most important thing in my life. There’s nothing better than doing this for myself, my loved ones, and my country," Gukesh shared, highlighting the significance of his achievement.
During the press conference, Gukesh also addressed the possibility of facing Magnus Carlsen, one of the greatest chess players of all time, in future world championship matches. However, Carlsen, who had previously stepped down from defending his world title, made it clear that he would not be participating in future world championship events. This statement added a layer of intrigue to Gukesh’s journey, as it left him with a clear path forward in his pursuit of continued success in the world of chess.
Gukesh's victory marks a new chapter for Indian chess, and his achievement is a source of immense pride for his country. The 18-year-old has not only made history but has also inspired a new generation of chess enthusiasts in India and around the world.
