Fri Dec 13 04:23:44 UTC 2024: ## Indian Chess Prodigy D. Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Champion
**Chennai, India** – Eighteen-year-old Indian grandmaster D. Gukesh has made history, becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion. He defeated reigning champion Ding Liren of China 1-0 in the 14th game of the World Chess Championship, securing a final score of 7.5-6.5. This victory marks a significant moment in Indian chess history, making Gukesh only the second Indian to achieve this title after Viswanathan Anand in 2012.
The match was a nail-biter. After Gukesh held a 6-5 lead after 11 games (with 8 draws, 2 wins for Gukesh, and 1 for Liren), Liren fought back, winning game 12 to level the score. Game 13 ended in a draw, setting the stage for the final showdown. Gukesh’s victory also marks a first in the 138-year history of the FIDE World Chess Championship: two Asian players competing for the title. The victory earns Gukesh a prize of ₹20.86 crore (US$2.5 million).
Gukesh, whose full name is Dommaraju Gukesh, hails from Chennai. He began playing chess at the age of seven, initially trained by international chess player and home tutor Bhaskar Nagayya, before receiving further guidance from the legendary Viswanathan Anand. His father is a doctor, and his mother is a microbiologist. This extraordinary accomplishment follows his victory at the FIDE Candidates Tournament at the age of 17, solidifying his position as one of the most promising talents in the world of chess.
First Piper 