In brief
Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old chess sensation from India, has made history as the youngest-ever world chess champion following a thrilling victory over China's Ding Liren in Singapore.
Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has taken the chess world by storm, becoming the youngest world champion at just 18 years old. This remarkable achievement unfolded during a nail-biting match held in Singapore, where Gukesh overcame the reigning champion, China’s Ding Liren, to seize the FIDE World Chess Championship title, which comes with a lucrative prize fund of $2.5 million. Born in May 2006, Gukesh's journey in the chess realm began at the tender age of seven when he watched a World Title match featuring chess legends Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. After achieving grandmaster status at just 12 years and seven months, Gukesh set his sights on becoming the world champion, a dream he never believed would materialize so quickly.After a closely contested 14-game match, tied with each player winning two games after 13 rounds, the championship reached a critical moment in game 14. With a draw initially on the horizon, Ding Liren made a crucial blunder on move 55, which Gukesh seized upon to claim victory. This moment capped off an impressive trajectory for the young player, whose accomplishments over the past three years include winning individual gold medals at the Chess Olympiads, contributing significantly to India's team gold in Budapest in 2024.Gukesh’s ascent is complemented by a robust chess ecosystem in India, where over 85 grandmasters and a thriving community of more than 30,000 rated players help foster young talents. His career has also been bolstered by mentors like former world champion Viswanathan Anand and significant support from his family, which includes both parents having medical careers. They made sacrifices to provide Gukesh with opportunities, including attending prestigious chess camps and international tournaments.Despite the intense pressure of the championship, Gukesh kept his composure and skillfully navigated the final game. He attributes his focus and preparation to both personal dedication and strong backing from his school, Velammal Vidyalaya, and sponsors like Westbridge Capital, which supports his training program at the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy.Reflecting on his monumental accomplishment, Gukesh maintains his ambitions of becoming the world’s best chess player and building a long-lasting career at the pinnacle of the sport. Beyond chess, he is also an individual with diverse interests, including meditation, swimming, and tennis, emphasizing a well-rounded approach to life as he forges his path forward.
