D. Gukesh carved his name in chess history on Thursday, becoming the youngest world chess champion at just 18 years old. In doing so, he became the first teenager to claim the title and broke Garry Kasparov’s 39-year-old record. Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren 7.5–6.5 in a dramatic 14-game match to achieve the feat.
Reflecting on his journey, Gukesh recalled witnessing Magnus Carlsen dethrone Viswanathan Anand in 2013 in Chennai. That match ended Anand’s reign as world champion and began Carlsen’s era of dominance. Gukesh, who was in the audience as a child, vowed to one day bring the title back to India.
“Eleven years ago, the title was taken away from India. Watching the match in 2013, I thought it would be so cool to be inside the box. When Magnus won, I wanted to be the one to bring the title back to India,” Gukesh said after his victory. “This dream I had over 10 years ago is the single most important thing in my life. There’s nothing better than achieving this for myself, my loved ones and my country.”
Gukesh’s victory marks him as the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the world championship. Anand, a five-time champion, expressed his pride, writing on social media: “Congratulations! It’s a proud moment for chess, for India, for WACA and for me, a very personal moment of pride. Ding played a very exciting match and showed the champion he is.”
Gukesh’s road to victory was not without hurdles. He lost the opening game to Ding in what he described as a “humiliating” defeat. However, a chance encounter with Anand in a hotel lift provided the reassurance he needed.
“After the first game, when I was walking to the hotel, I met Vishy Sir in the lift. He said that he had 11 games in his match, and I had 13. It was a nice reminder that it was just one game and I would get my chances,” Gukesh shared.
Following his initial setback, Gukesh rebounded with a win in Game 3. The competitors then drew seven consecutive games before Gukesh took the lead with a brilliant victory in Game 11. Ding struck back with a nearly flawless Game 12, playing white. After a drawn Game 13, the championship came down to the final classical game.
In the finale, Ding made a critical error on the 53rd move, allowing Gukesh to secure the title.
Also Read: India’s D. Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Chess Champion at 18
