Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh, at 18 years old, made history by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion after defeating Ding Liren of China in Singapore on December 12. Gukesh’s victory, 7.5-6.5, made him the first teenager to claim the prestigious title and only the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to win the championship. Gukesh was overcome with emotion after his triumph and showed great sportsmanship by applauding his opponent and arranging the chess pieces on the board.
Praise from Chess Legends
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The chess world celebrated Gukesh’s achievement. Legendary players like Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, and the Polgar sisters praised the young champion. Kasparov, who once held the record for being the youngest World Champion, highlighted India’s vast talent pool and the future potential of Indian chess. Anand, in a personal tribute, called Gukesh’s victory an incredible achievement and praised his perseverance. He also noted that Gukesh’s dedication and Ding’s mistake led to a dramatic final victory.
Judit Polgar, a chess great herself, admired Gukesh’s calm under immense pressure, calling the final moments of the match incredibly tense. Her sister, Susan Polgar, emphasized Gukesh’s mental toughness and fighting spirit, predicting even greater accomplishments in the future. Anish Giri also congratulated Gukesh on his historic win.
Kramnik Criticizes the Match Conclusion
However, Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik criticized the match’s conclusion, suggesting that Gukesh benefited from a “childish blunder” by Ding in the 53rd move, calling it a disappointing end to the title fight.
How Gukesh Clinched the Title
Gukesh’s journey to victory began with a loss in the first game, but he quickly rebounded with a win in Game 3. The next seven games were draws, but a key victory in Game 11 put him in a strong position. After a tense Game 12, Gukesh sealed the championship in the final game with a precise and sharp move, securing a USD 1.3 million prize.