Indian Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, becomes the youngest ever chess world champion after Ding Liren blunder
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At 18, Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest-ever undisputed classical world champion, defeating Ding Liren 7.5-6.5. His historic victory has sparked celebrations across India and solidified his place as an inspiration for future generations of chess players [Simon Lim/ AFP]
Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju, at just 18 years old, made history by becoming the youngest-ever undisputed classical chess world champion. He achieved this feat by defeating defending champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in their intense best-of-14 final match in Singapore on Thursday. With the match tied going into the final game, it seemed as though the two players would head into rapid chess tiebreaks. However, Ding made a costly blunder, and Gukesh seized the opportunity, securing the crucial point that led him to victory.
As the realization of his victory set in, Gukesh broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the emotional significance of the moment. Meanwhile, Ding, visibly distraught, sat with his head in his hands, unable to believe his mistake. After his triumph was confirmed, Gukesh raised his arms in celebration before being escorted out of the venue. There, he shared an emotional embrace with his father, marking a pivotal moment in his life.
Back in India, the news of Gukesh’s historic win sent fans into a frenzy, with celebrations erupting across the country. Social media clips showed jubilant crowds cheering, hugging, and celebrating the 18-year-old’s victory. With this win, Gukesh became the 18th world chess champion and only the second player from India to claim the prestigious title, after Viswanathan Anand.
In a post-match interview, Gukesh admitted that he hadn’t initially recognized Ding’s mistake in the final game. However, when he realized the blunder, he described the moment as “probably the best moment of my life.” At just 18, Gukesh is four years younger than Garry Kasparov was when he won his first world title in 1985. Reflecting on his journey, Gukesh shared that he had been dreaming of this moment since he was six or seven years old, when he first began playing chess. He spoke of the long road to reaching this point, from qualifying for the Candidates tournament to claiming the world title. “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,” he said. Gukesh also expressed deep gratitude, thanking God for his success and acknowledging the many people who supported him along the way. “I will have to prepare my speech first because the kind of emotions I’m feeling right now I’ll say something stupid,” he joked.
India’s chess community has been in the spotlight recently, with several young stars emerging. Alongside Gukesh, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, known as “Pragg,” has also gained worldwide recognition. Pragg stunned the chess world in 2022 by defeating Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion at the time. He became the youngest international chess master at just 10 years old and the second-youngest grandmaster in history at 12. Last year, Pragg and his sister, 22-year-old Rameshbabu Vaishali, made history as the first-ever brother and sister duo to achieve grandmaster titles.
Following Gukesh’s victory, the entire nation of India rallied behind him with messages of pride and congratulations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Gukesh for his remarkable achievement, calling it “historic and exemplary.” He wrote on social media, “This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work, and unwavering determination. His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence.”
India’s President, Draupadi Murmu, also congratulated Gukesh, noting that his victory further solidified India’s status as a chess powerhouse. The country’s sports figures were equally effusive in their praise. Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who remains a significant figure in Indian chess, congratulated Gukesh on bringing the world title back to India. “It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India,” Anand said. He also acknowledged Ding Liren’s performance, calling it “very exciting.”
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar praised Gukesh for opening “a world of endless possibilities,” while former Olympic shooting champion Abhinav Bindra expressed his admiration for Gukesh’s brilliance and grace under pressure. “You’ve not just won a title but inspired a generation to dream big,” Bindra wrote.
Gukesh’s victory marks not just a personal achievement but also a significant milestone for Indian chess, as the country continues to nurture and celebrate its young talent on the global stage. With this triumph, Gukesh has become an inspiration to aspiring chess players worldwide, showing that age is no barrier to greatness in the world of chess.
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