Dommaraju Gukesh, just 18 years old, has made history as the youngest world chess champion, breaking the legendary record of Garry Kasparov. In a dramatic three-week showdown in Singapore, he triumphed over the reigning champion, Ding Liren, in the final of the World Chess Championship.
His historic victory came after a close 14-game match, in which Gukesh took advantage of a fatal mistake by Ding in the deciding game. In a seemingly even situation, Ding made a wrong move, paving the way for Gukesh to win. The mistake has been hailed as one of the biggest in the 138-year history of the world championship. After 58 moves, Ding surrendered the game, sealing the score at 7½-6½ and avoiding the need for extra games.
This triumph gave Gukesh not only the most prestigious title in chess, but also a prize of $1.35 million from a total prize fund of $2.5 million. By breaking the record of Kasparov, who was declared world champion at the age of 22, Gukesh has proven his extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication.
In the final game, Ding, playing with the white pieces, started with a slight advantage, but Gukesh managed to stabilize the position and keep the game balanced. The game seemed destined for a draw until Ding's fatal move, a moment that Gukesh described as "the best of his life."
Emotions were high at the end of the match. Ding lowered his head in his hands, while Gukesh could barely contain his joy. This victory is a historic moment not only for him, but also for Indian chess, setting a new standard for the new generation of chess players.