Who is D Gukesh, youngest ever FIDE candidates Chess Tournament champion

17-year-old D Gukesh has emerged victorious at the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2024, held in Toronto. Gukesh's win marks a historic moment as he becomes the second Indian player, after chess legend Viswanathan Anand, to win the prestigious tournament. With this victory, Gukesh has secured a spot in the final of the World Chess Championship, where he will face Ding Liren of China, making him the youngest player ever to reach this stage.

Gukesh's Path to Victory
Gukesh clinched the title with an impressive total of 9/14 points, demonstrating his skill and determination throughout the tournament. In a crucial final round, Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, managed to hold his rival, Hikaru Nakamura, to a draw, securing the win he needed to claim the championship.


Dramatic Final Day
The final day of the tournament was filled with excitement and tension as the outcome hung in the balance. A pivotal moment came when Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi engaged in a grueling 109-move battle, ultimately ending in a tie. This result, combined with Gukesh's draw against Nakamura, sealed Gukesh's victory and set the stage for his historic achievement.

Gukesh's Chess Journey
Hailing from Chennai, Gukesh has achieved numerous milestones in his young career. He became India's youngest grandmaster at the age of just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, surpassing Anand's record. Gukesh also recently became India's top-ranked player, a position held by Anand for 26 years.

An Approach to Chess Excellence
Gukesh's approach to chess, which emphasizes playing against human trainers rather than computer engines, has been lauded by Anand. This method, focusing on developing playing skills through human interaction, has clearly paid off for Gukesh, leading him to this historic victory.

Gukesh's passion and dedication to chess have been evident since childhood, and his remarkable journey to becoming the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament champion is a testament to his talent and hard work.