D Gukesh was brought to tears after becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. At just 18, he also became the first teenager to win the title, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record, who won at 22 by defeating Anatoly Karpov in 1985. On December 12, Gukesh triumphed over China’s Ding Liren with a 7.5-6.5 victory, marking him as the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to achieve this historic win.
Going into the final game on Thursday, Dommaraju and Ding had eight draws and two wins apiece.
Players receive one point for a win and half a point each for a draw. Dommaraju claimed the title on Thursday with a final score of 7.5 to 6.5, becoming just the 18th world chess champion.
Thursday’s game saw several hours of tight play, with commentators suggesting it was heading to a draw.
But on the 55th move, Ding committed a fatal blunder – moving his rook into a position to be taken.
Immediately recognising his mistake, he slumped on the table.
At age 18, he is only the second Indian player to become world chess champion, after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand who last won in 2012.
“It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and for me, a very personal moment of pride.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi was also among the first public figures showering praise.
“Historic and exemplary!” he wrote on X. “Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable accomplishment. This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination.”
The FIDE World Chess Championship carries a $2.5m (£1.96m) prize fund.
(Inputs from International news agency)
