Shatranj ke world champion khilari

Till yesterday, Gukesh Dommaraju, a.k.a. D Gukesh, was 'only' the third youngest grandmaster in history. By yesterday evening, the teenager from Chennai also entered the annals of chess history, becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion. At 18, Gukesh has shattered records and expectations, etching his name alongside legends like Garry Kasparov - who was earlier the youngest world champion - and Magnus Carlsen.

Gukesh's journey to the top is nothing short of a masterclass in resilience and strategic brilliance. After a rocky start in the World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore, where he faced defeat in the opening round, he bounced back with a vengeance. His tenacity was on full display as he clawed his way back into contention, ultimately clinching the title in a nail-biting final game against China's Ding Liren who had, a day earlier, salvaged his position from sure defeat leaving Game 14 the decider. By securing the requisite 7.5 ps against Ding's 6.5 after winning the last classical time control game of the 14-game match, Gukesh 'decided' matters.

Throughout the final 14th game, Ding was trailing on the clock, as he was pretty much through the match. The challenger utilised the advantage he had on the clock to push the reigning champion against the ropes. Gukesh's unwavering focus and ability to remain composed under pressure, along with his innovative and daring playstyle, has now earned him a place among the greats. Gukesh's victory is a testament to youthful ambition and relentless pursuit. He is the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the world title the latter won five times, the last time being in 2012. India and the chess world celebrate this historic win, with Gukesh as its youngest king.