Indian Teenager Gukesh Dommaraju Becomes Youngest Chess World Champion at 18

In a historic moment for the chess world, 18-year-old Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju clinched the title of World Chess Champion, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this feat. The Chennai-born chess sensation defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in a dramatic match held in Singapore, claiming a share of the $2.5 million prize fund.

A Dream Realized

Gukesh’s rise to glory has been nothing short of meteoric. He became a Grandmaster at the age of 12 years and seven months, making it clear from the start that his ultimate goal was to become world champion. His aspirations began at just seven years old when he attended the 2013 World Title match between chess legends Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen.

Following his victory, Gukesh admitted, “I didn’t think it would happen so soon. Throughout the match, I had chances to clinch victory, but nerves often got the better of me. The sudden change in the 14th game felt surreal.”

A Nail-Biting Finale

The 14-game match saw intense competition, with both players securing two wins by the 13th game. Game 14 appeared to be heading for a draw, potentially leading to tiebreaks with shorter time controls. However, Ding’s critical blunder on move 55 gave Gukesh the opportunity to seize victory and claim the title.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Born in May 2006, Gukesh shattered the previous record held by Garry Kasparov, who became world champion at 22. He is now the 18th official world champion since Wilhelm Steinitz in 1886.

A Streak of Triumphs

Gukesh’s victory is the pinnacle of an extraordinary career trajectory. Over the last three years, he has achieved remarkable feats:

• Won individual gold medals for best performance at the last two Chess Olympiads.
• Led India to a team bronze in 2022 (Chennai) and a gold in 2024 (Budapest).
• Secured the Candidates Tournament, earning his spot as a challenger for the world title.

Guided by a Chess Ecosystem

Despite being initially underestimated by his mentor and former world champion Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh proved his resilience. After a setback midway through the Candidates Tournament, he rebounded to secure his place in the championship match.

Gukesh’s triumph reflects not just his exceptional talent but also the strength of India’s robust chess ecosystem, regarded as one of the best globally.

A Hero’s Welcome

Gukesh’s victory has captivated fans worldwide. His return to Chennai following his gold-medal win at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest was met with grand celebrations, a fitting tribute to this rising star in chess.

Gukesh Dommaraju’s victory heralds the arrival of a new era in chess, marking the young champion as a symbol of India’s growing dominance on the global stage.