D Gukesh Crowned Chess World Champion at 18, Making History

D Gukesh has become the youngest chess world champion in history at 18. The Indian prodigy claimed the title after winning a gripping championship match that fascinated chess fans worldwide. His incredible victory sets a new benchmark in chess and proves his exceptional talent. Young players now dominate professional chess, and Gukesh's triumph in the 2024 world championship shows how the next generation continues to excel at the highest level.

Historic Achievement

Gukesh has made chess history in Singapore. He broke Garry Kasparov's record and became the youngest world champion at 18 years, 8 months, and 14 days. This soaring win surpassed Kasparov's previous record of 22 years, 6 months, and 27 days set in 1985.

The young grandmaster started his journey to the championship with an outstanding performance at the Candidates tournament in April 2024. He earned his place as the youngest-ever challenger in championship history. His victory stands out as he became the second Indian after five-time champion Viswanathan Anand to claim this prestigious title.

Gukesh's most important achievements include:

·??????? Becoming the third-youngest grandmaster in history at 12 years and seven months

·??????? Qualifying as the youngest challenger through the Candidates tournament

·??????? Joining the elite group as the 18th World Champion in chess history

This victory means more than personal success - it represents a new era in chess. Former world champion Garry Kasparov recognized this milestone and called it an "Indian earthquake in chess". Gukesh's win has cemented his place in chess history and shown India's growing influence in the sport. The country's recent successes include double gold medals at the Budapest Chess Olympiad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised this historic achievement and said it has "inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence". The victory brings the world title back to India since Viswanathan Anand's reign ended in 2013. This win represents both Gukesh's personal triumph and a defining moment for Indian chess.

Championship Match Analysis

The chess world champion title came down to the final game of the championship match. Both players had 6.5 points as Ding Liren and Gukesh sat down for their significant 14th game. Their journey through the match showed their fighting spirit:

·??????? Ding won the first game with black pieces

·??????? Games 2-9 saw seven straight draws

·??????? Gukesh grabbed a vital win in game 11

·??????? Ding bounced back with a win in game 12

·??????? Game 13 ended in a draw

Ding started the final game with white pieces and built a solid middlegame position. Everything pointed to a draw until the game took a dramatic turn in the technical endgame. The game changed on move 55, when Ding's Rf2 turned out to be a fatal mistake.

The position completely shifted after 55...Rxf2 56.Kxf2 Bd5 57.Bxd5 Kxd5 58.Ke3 Ke5. This mistake let Gukesh force a winning pawn endgame. Ding resigned after 58 moves and four hours of intense play. The error surprised everyone because Ding managed to keep strong defensive chances throughout the match.

Gukesh took home USD 1.35 million, but his victory meant much more for chess history. The match showed both players' exceptional talent. Ding displayed amazing resilience despite struggling with form and not winning any games since January.

Impact and Recognition

This historic victory drew immediate praise from India's highest offices. President Draupadi Murmu celebrated it as a moment that "stamps the authority of India as a chess powerhouse". Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Gukesh's exceptional talent and steadfast dedication, saying this achievement would inspire millions of young minds.

Substantial financial rewards accompanied the championship victory:

·??????? Winner's share: USD 1.35 million (?11.45 crore)

·??????? Match victory bonus: USD 600,000 for three wins

·??????? Equal split of remaining prize pool: USD 750,000

Raw emotion showed as Gukesh broke down in tears after the final move. He had fulfilled a dream he cherished for over a decade. "I've been dreaming about this moment since I was 6 or 7", he shared in the post-match conference.

This victory struck a chord throughout the sports community. Legendary figures like Viswanathan Anand and Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra offered their congratulations. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin celebrated Chennai's position as the "Global Chess Capital" and highlighted the city's continued production of world-class champions.

Gukesh's achievement brings the world title back to India since Viswanathan Anand's reign ended in 2013. His triumph strengthens India's position in global chess, following the country's recent Chess Olympiad victory.

Conclusion

D Gukesh's remarkable rise to chess world champion marks a defining moment in chess history. His achievement surpasses the record-breaking age milestone and represents a personal triumph and national pride for India. He showed exceptional skill throughout the championship match, especially when he faced Ding Liren in decisive moments that led to his victory.

The historic win places Gukesh among chess legends and creates a path for future generations. His success builds on India's rich chess legacy that Viswanathan Anand created 30 years ago and shows the nation's continued dominance in global chess. National leaders' recognition, substantial financial rewards, and the chess community's emotional response highlight this achievement's importance.

Gukesh's championship victory shows that excellence has no age limits. His trip from chess prodigy to world champion inspires young players worldwide and strengthens India's position as a leading force in international chess.