Fri Dec 13 09:50:17 UTC 2024: ## Indian Chess Prodigy Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Champion, Defying Critics

**New Delhi, December 13, 2024** – 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh has made history, becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion after defeating China’s Ding Liren in a stunning upset victory in Singapore. The final game of the championship saw Liren commit a critical blunder, handing Gukesh the win in what many observers described as an unexpected turn of events.

While Gukesh’s achievement is being celebrated in India, the match has sparked controversy. Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik criticized the quality of the game, calling Liren’s final move “childish” and declaring it “the end of chess as we know it.” Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen also expressed concerns about the standard of play in earlier rounds.

However, legendary Indian chess player Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh’s mentor, lauded the young champion’s performance and urged critics to ignore the negativity. Anand emphasized Gukesh’s consistent progress, highlighting his victory in the Candidates tournament and strong performance at the Olympiad. He praised Gukesh’s strategic patience, stating that his approach of wearing down Liren, despite the game appearing to be heading towards a draw, was crucial to his victory. Anand attributed the final blunder to a moment of unexpected relaxation by Liren, a phenomenon he noted as common in high-pressure World Championship matches. He expressed immense pride in Gukesh’s journey and celebrated the emergence of a “golden generation” of Indian chess players. Anand described Gukesh’s win as a historic moment and a testament to his talent and dedication.

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