Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion at the age of 18. In a nail-biting finale, Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren, the reigning champion, in the 14th and final game of their epic contest.
Gukesh clinched the title by securing 7.5 points to Ding’s 6.5, achieving victory in the last classical time control game of the 14-game match, which had appeared destined for a draw for much of its duration.
The young prodigy’s achievement surpasses the previous record held by Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who became the youngest world chess champion at 22 when he defeated Anatoly Karpov in 1985.
Gukesh earned his place in the championship by winning the Candidates Tournament earlier this year, entering the match as the youngest challenger in the history of the sport.
He now joins Viswanathan Anand as the only other Indian to claim the prestigious title. Anand, a five-time world champion, last held the crown in 2013.
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