Indian Prodigy Targets History: Gukesh Dommaraju Crowned Youngest World Chess Champion

Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old chess grandmaster from India, has made headlines by defeating defending champion Ding Liren in Singapore, making history as the youngest world chess champion. The thrilling final match led to an emotional victory for Dommaraju, showcasing his unparalleled talent and determination.

Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest world chess champion after defeating defending champion Ding Liren from China in an intense match on Thursday. At just 18 years old, Dommaraju surpasses the previous record held by Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he first won the title in 1985.

Hailing from Chennai, Dommaraju has been a notable figure in the chess community since he achieved grandmaster status at the age of 12. His role as the challenger going into the final of the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore this year added to the anticipation surrounding the event.

Dommaraju, playing with the black pieces, capitalized on an unexpected mistake made by Ding while in a strong position, as commentators highlighted. The victory at the championship resulted in a close final score of 7.5-6.5, culminating in a two-week series of matches that captivated chess enthusiasts around the globe.

Ding, celebrated as China's first world chess champion, faced significant pressure throughout the year, especially after securing the 2023 title. Despite having a solid performance in earlier matches, Ding had not secured a long-format classical win since January, leading many to believe he was avoiding high-stakes competitions. Nonetheless, he demonstrated strong play and maintained momentum until the final match against Dommaraju.

Entering the final game with two victories each and eight draws, tensions ran high. It was during move 55 that Ding moved his rook to a vulnerable position, an error that allowed Dommaraju to seize control. Just moments after realizing his mistake, Ding slumped at the table, succumbing to the immense pressure of the match.

Chess commentators remarked that while Ding had a favorable opportunity to push for victory, he opted to engage in an unfavorable endgame. Ultimately, he resigned three moves later, leading to Dommaraju's emotional outburst as the crowd erupted in applause.

"I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win that position," Dommaraju expressed post-victory. His remarkable achievement makes him only the second Indian player ever to be crowned a world chess champion, following five-time titleholder Viswanathan Anand.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to commend Dommaraju's achievement, calling it "historic and exemplary" and attributing it to the young star's talent and hard work.

The FIDE World Chess Championship carries a whopping $2.5 million prize fund, further highlighting the significance of this monumental event in the chess world.