On December 11, 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju competed in Game 13 of the World Chess Championship against the defending champion, Ding Liren. CNN
Teenager Gukesh Dommaraju made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever undisputed classical chess world champion. The 18-year-old from India triumphed over reigning champion Ding Liren in a thrilling final held in Singapore. The match, a best-of-14 series, ended with a 7.5-6.5 victory for Gukesh, securing him the title in dramatic fashion.
The final game was tied as both players entered the last round, and the match seemed headed toward rapid chess tiebreaks. However, in a tense moment, Ding made a critical blunder, which Gukesh seized upon to claim the decisive point and seal his victory. As the news of his triumph spread, an emotional Gukesh was seen breaking into tears, overwhelmed by the significance of the moment. On the other hand, Ding, unable to comprehend the mistake, sat with his head in his hands, visibly stunned.
Once Gukesh's victory was confirmed, he celebrated by raising his arms in the air, a gesture of pure joy and disbelief. He was soon escorted out of the venue, where he shared an emotional embrace with his father. Fans back in India erupted in celebration, cheering, hugging, and honoring Gukesh as the 18th world chess champion. The victory also marked a milestone for India, as Gukesh became only the country's second chess world champion, following the legendary Viswanathan Anand.
In an emotional post-match interview, Gukesh admitted that he hadn’t initially spotted Ding’s blunder in the final game. But once he realized his opponent’s mistake, he said, “It was probably the best moment of my life.” At just 18, Gukesh’s victory came four years younger than Garry Kasparov, the Russian chess legend, was when he won his first world title in 1985.
Reflecting on his journey, Gukesh shared that his passion for chess started at the young age of six-and-a-half. He had been dreaming about this moment for over ten years, and now, achieving this dream, he said, “Every chess player wants to experience this moment, and very few get the chance. To be one of them – I think the only way to explain it is I am living my dream.” Gukesh also took a moment to thank God for his success, acknowledging the miracles along the way, from qualifying for the Candidates Tournament to winning the world championship. He thanked everyone who supported him throughout the journey, joking that he would need time to prepare a proper speech due to his overwhelming emotions.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gukesh on his monumental achievement, praising his talent, hard work, and determination. He expressed that Gukesh’s victory would inspire millions of young people to pursue their dreams. Gukesh’s success has certainly become a source of national pride, and Viswanathan Anand, who previously held the world title, also praised his young compatriot. Anand called the victory a “proud moment” for India and chess, while also acknowledging Ding’s exciting performance in the match.
