Dubai: Gukesh Dommaraju has always been afraid of heights. But at just 18, the Indian chess prodigy has scaled the pinnacle of his sport, becoming the youngest world champion in history after a nail-biting 14-game showdown with Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren.”
The final game on Thursday was a thriller, with Gukesh capitalising on Ding’s endgame blunder to clinch the title. In doing so, he shattered the record held by Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he claimed the crown in 1985.”
A dream realised
It was a dream come true for the bearded teenager, who six years earlier had declared: “I want to become the youngest world chess champion.”
Gukesh became India’s youngest grandmaster at 12 years, seven months, and 17 days — one of the youngest in the history of the game.
An emotional victory
Gukesh burst into tears and hugged his father, Rajnikanth, after nearly three weeks and 14 games of intense battle against Ding, 32. Incidentally, it was the birthday of Tamil superstar Rajnikanth.
It was a rare loss of composure for the young man, who usually appears shy and reserved in public.
The 18-year-old Indian made history in April by winning the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2024, becoming the youngest-ever challenger to the world title held by Liren. Following his triumph, Gukesh was overwhelmed with emotion and broke down in tears.
The Chennai teen termed the win as the “best moment of his life” during the post-match press conference.
Facing new challenges
Having achieved his goal of winning the title, Gukesh now faces an even more daunting task: he has agreed to go bungee jumping with his coach, Polish GM Grzegorz Gajewski.
“On a rest day, we went for a walk on the beach, and Gayu (Gajewski) and I looked at people trying bungee jumping. I am scared of heights, and Gayu said that if you win this title, I am going to jump off. I said I’ll also join you. I don’t know why I said this. Now I am looking forward to jumping off the bridge — probably Paddy [Upton] also,” Gukesh shared in a video posted on the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) X handle.
Breaking out of his shell
Known for his shy demeanour, Gukesh skipped the Bermuda party, a decades-old tradition at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. However, after India finished with two gold medals, he surprised fans by posting a video of himself dancing exuberantly to a popular Tamil song, clad in traditional attire.
In 2022, Gukesh defeated US No. 1 Fabiano Caruana at the Chess Olympiad and later triumphed over Magnus Carlsen. He reached the world championship by becoming the youngest winner of the prestigious Candidates Tournament in April.
A mentor’s pride
Indian chess icon and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who has played a mentor’s role in Gukesh’s journey, hailed the teenager as his successor.
“It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India... and for me, a very personal moment of pride,” Anand said after Thursday’s win. Accolades poured in for the champion from many sports personalities including cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and Indian chess star Tania Sachdev.
A chess prodigy’s roots
Born to a doctor father and microbiologist mother, Gukesh started playing chess at the age of seven. His father took him to watch Anand play Carlsen in a world championship match in Chennai in 2013.
The world championship in Singapore was compared by some in India to the classic showdown between American Bobby Fischer and Soviet great Boris Spassky at the height of the Cold War in 1972.
After seven consecutive draws, Gukesh won the 11th game to take a decisive 6—5 lead. However, he allowed the advantage to slip away as Liren made a stunning comeback in the 12th to level the scores. Gukesh couldn’t capitalise on a stronger position in the 13th game, which ended in a draw.
In the 14th game, the Chinese grandmaster made a critical blunder in the endgame, handing the title to Gukesh with a 7.5—6.5 scoreline.
Ding’s perspective
Following the game, Liren said during the post-match press conference: “I was totally in shock when I realised I made a blunder. I will continue to play. I think I played my best tournament of the year. It could be better, but considering yesterday’s lucky survive, it is a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets.”
Before the tournament, Ding revealed he had faced mental health challenges last year and had to take a break from chess on his doctor’s advice.
A true champion
Gukesh, magnanimous in victory, said Ding “fought like a true champion” despite being “obviously not at his best physically.”
After a month of sleepless nights, the 18-year-old can now enjoy a well-deserved rest — unless, of course, nightmares of bungee jumping keep him awake.
— With inputs from AFP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to what he described as a "historic and exemplary" achievement.
"Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable accomplishment. This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination," Modi wrote on social media platform X.
"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. My best wishes for his future endeavours."
Anand, who played a mentor's role in Gukesh's remarkable journey, said the teenager had excelled.
"Congratulations! It's a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India... and for me, a very personal moment of pride," Anand said on X.
Indian sport shooter and Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra said the teenager has "inspired a generation".
"Your brilliance, determination, and grace under pressure have made the entire nation proud," said Bindra.
"You've not just won a title but inspired a generation to dream big. Wishing you even greater success ahead!"
— AFP
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