Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh etched his name in chess history on December 12, becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion at just 18. Gukesh’s victory over China’s Ding Liren in the 14-game title match ended 7.5-6.5, making him the first teenager to claim the title and breaking the record set by Garry Kasparov, who won at 22 in 1985. Gukesh is also the second Indian to achieve this feat, following the legendary Viswanathan Anand.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Gukesh was in tears as he secured the win in the final classical game. Playing with black, Gukesh capitalised on a critical blunder by Ding on the 53rd move. The match had been poised for a tie-breaker scheduled for December 13, but Ding’s mistake allowed Gukesh to press his advantage and seal the championship.
The championship was a rollercoaster for Gukesh, who started the series with a loss in Game 1 while playing white. However, he rebounded with a victory in Game 3, followed by seven consecutive draws. Gukesh's stunning win in Game 11 shifted momentum, though Ding responded with a masterful performance in Game 12 to level the score.
Game 13 ended in a hard-fought draw, setting up the dramatic final classical game. Gukesh, a pawn up, maintained relentless pressure, forcing Ding into a second blunder and clinching the title.
Gukesh’s triumph marks the dawn of a new era in chess. At 18, he not only surpassed Kasparov’s record but also reaffirmed India’s growing dominance in the sport, following in the footsteps of his mentor, Viswanathan Anand.
With this historic win, Gukesh solidifies his position among chess’s elite, signalling the arrival of a new force on the global stage.