India Celebrates Youngest Chess World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju’s Historic Victory
India erupted in celebration on Thursday as Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old chess prodigy, became the youngest world chess champion in history. He clinched the prestigious title in Singapore with a gripping final-round victory over China’s Ding Liren, breaking the record previously held by Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who won at the age of 22.
The dramatic endgame saw Gukesh capitalize on a costly mistake by Ding, securing his place in chess history. Overwhelmed with emotion, Gukesh reportedly broke into tears as the room filled with applause. “I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win that position,” he said, according to Reuters.
This remarkable achievement also makes Gukesh the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to hold the world chess championship title. Anand, a five-time champion and mentor to Gukesh, expressed immense pride. “Congratulations! It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and for me, a very personal moment of pride,” Anand shared on X (formerly Twitter).
National and Global Acclaim
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, calling the victory “historic and exemplary.” He praised Gukesh’s “unparalleled talent, hard work, and unwavering determination,” emphasizing how the achievement has inspired millions of young Indians.
India’s first Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra, also celebrated the young champion. “Your brilliance, determination, and grace under pressure have made the entire nation proud,” Bindra said, highlighting Gukesh’s ability to ignite a new generation of aspirations.
Born in Chennai to a doctor father and microbiologist mother, Gukesh has been a trailblazer since his early years. At just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days old, he became India’s youngest grandmaster and one of the youngest in the history of the game. Earlier this year, he secured a spot in the world championship by becoming the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Candidates Tournament in April.
A Thrilling Climax
The final game of the championship appeared headed for a draw, which would have led to tiebreak matches. However, Gukesh seized an unexpected opportunity after Ding made a critical error under pressure. “Ding seemed to have a risk-free chance to push for a win but instead liquidated into a pawn-down endgame,” Chess.com summarized. This decisive blunder tipped the scales in Gukesh’s favor and cemented his historic triumph.
As India celebrates this monumental accomplishment, Gukesh stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring chess players around the world. His journey, marked by extraordinary talent and relentless dedication, is a testament to the heights that can be achieved with determination and hard work.
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