18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju clinched the title of youngest-ever undisputed classical chess world champion by defeating reigning champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in a nail-biting best-of-14 final in Singapore on Thursday.
Decisive Final Game
Heading into the last game with the scores tied, the match seemed destined for rapid chess tiebreaks. However, Gukesh capitalized on a critical blunder from Ding to secure the decisive victory. The moment of triumph left Gukesh in tears, overcome with emotion, while Ding sat in disbelief with his head in his hands.
Gukesh’s victory was celebrated with jubilation across India. Social media buzzed with clips of fans cheering, hugging, and rejoicing as he became the 18th world chess champion and only the second Indian to hold this prestigious title after Viswanathan Anand.
A Dream Realized
Reflecting on his win, Gukesh admitted he initially missed Ding’s error but described the realization as “probably the best moment” of his life. At just 18, Gukesh is four years younger than Garry Kasparov was when the Russian chess legend claimed his first world title in 1985.
A Decade in the Making
At a press conference, Gukesh shared his journey, which began when he started playing chess at the age of six-and-a-half. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment for more than 10 years,” he said. “Every chess player wants to experience this moment, and very few get the chance. To be one of them—it’s like living my dream.”
Gratitude and Faith
Gukesh expressed gratitude to God and the people who supported him throughout his journey. “There were so many miracles along the way,” he remarked. He humorously admitted that he might need to prepare a proper speech to avoid saying something silly due to the overwhelming emotions of the moment.With this historic achievement, Gukesh has cemented his place in chess history, inspiring a new generation of players in India and beyond.
