Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion at the age of 18. He achieved this remarkable feat by defeating reigning champion Ding Liren of China in a closely contested 14th and final game of the championship. The victory secured Gukesh the required 7.5 points, surpassing Liren’s 6.5, and crowned him as the 18th world chess champion. Gukesh’s triumph also earned him the lion’s share of the tournament’s USD 2.5 million prize pool.
The decisive game in the classical time control format seemed destined for a draw for much of its duration, but Gukesh managed to outplay Liren after 58 moves over the span of four hours. The young chess sensation raised his arms and smiled broadly in celebration, a rare display of emotion from someone known for maintaining a composed demeanor during matches.
This victory has shattered a record held since 1985. Before Gukesh, legendary Russian player Garry Kasparov was the youngest world champion, having claimed the title at 22 years old by defeating Anatoly Karpov. Gukesh, however, entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world chess crown after securing a victory in the prestigious Candidates tournament earlier this year.
With this accomplishment, Gukesh becomes only the second Indian to claim the global chess title. Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion, previously held the title until 2013, when he was defeated by Magnus Carlsen. Reflecting on the historic achievement, Gukesh has cemented his place among chess elites, continuing India’s legacy on the international stage.
The championship, which consisted of 14 games, was an intense contest. Gukesh had already secured wins in the third and 11th games before entering the decisive 14th round. Meanwhile, Liren, 32, claimed victories in the opening game and the 12th round. The remaining games ended in draws, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
“If Thursday’s game had also resulted in a draw, the championship would have been decided through shorter-duration tiebreakers scheduled for Friday,” explained tournament officials.
Gukesh’s achievement marks a new era in the world of chess, as the young champion has now set a benchmark for future generations. As he joins the ranks of global greats, his victory is a moment of immense pride for India and the chess world at large.