India’s 18-year-old grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju scripted historical past on Thursday as he beat China’s Ding Liren to win the World Chess Championship 2024, changing into the youngest-ever world champion. Not solely was he the youngest, Gukesh additionally grew to become the first-ever teenager to realize this feat. Gukesh follows within the footsteps of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, changing into the second Indian to win the crown and the primary since 2012. The 14th and last match appeared to move in the direction of a draw, however a late blunder by Ding Liren to sacrifice his rook handed. Gukesh victory.
After the triumph, Gukesh was elated after his decade-long dream become actuality.
“I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realized the dream (and made it) into reality,” the soft-spoken Chennai-lad instructed reporters after the historic triumph in Singapore.
“I got a bit emotional because I was not expecting to win. But then I got a chance to press on,” he added.
“Every chess player wants to live this dream. I am living my dream,” mentioned Gukesh.
Speaking on his opponent, Gukesh added”To me Ding is a real world champion. He fought like a true champion and I’m sorry for Ding and team. I would like to thank my opponent.”
Regarding his dad and mom’ contributions, Gukesh revealed, “The dream of winning world chess championship is bigger for them than for me.”
By beating Ding, Gukesh is the 18th World Champion within the over century-long historical past of chess and the youngest after beating Garry Kasparov’s file of profitable the title on the age of 21 and heralding the arrival of a brand new king on the chess horizon.
Gukesh is the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship title, claiming the title in simply over a decade after five-time Champion Viswanathan Anand had misplaced the title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Chennai in 2013. Carlsen has abdicated the crown in 2023, paving the way in which for Ding to beat Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Having battled it out for 13 video games over three weeks, Ding was trying ahead to the fast and blitz tiebreakers as had successfully countered the aggressive ways of the younger Indian challenger to steer the sport in the direction of a drawish place.
But the 32-year-old China made a sensational blunder when he moved his rook, main it to be trapped and lose the sport as Gukesh had an additional pawn within the king pawn ending.
Gukesh practically leapt out of his chair, took a pause, settled his nerves, claimed the rook sealed the victory and claimed the gang.
(With IANS Inputs)
Topics talked about on this article
Ding Liren
Chess
