Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest world chess champion at the remarkable age of 18. This milestone was achieved after he defeated reigning champion Ding Liren of China during a thrilling match held in Singapore. With a prize fund totaling $2.5 million, this victory marks a significant pinnacle in Gukesh’s impressive career, which has already included numerous notable achievements. Notably, he earned his grandmaster title at the young age of 12 years and 7 months, openly expressing his dream of becoming a world champion from a very young age.
Gukesh’s fascination with chess began at age seven, inspired after watching a World Title match between legends Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen in 2013. Reflecting on the final match against Ding after his victory, Gukesh admitted to feeling nervous when he had opportunities to secure the win but was ultimately able to capitalize on an error by Ding in the critical game 14 which secured his championship.
Throughout the past three years, Gukesh has achieved remarkable feats, including earning individual gold medals in the last two Chess Olympiads and leading his team to win the gold medal in Budapest earlier this year. He also triumphed in the Candidates Tournament, which granted him the opportunity to challenge Ding.
Interestingly, Gukesh was initially thought by his mentor, the former world champion Viswanathan Anand, to lack the experience needed to contend seriously for the title. Nevertheless, he demonstrated resilience throughout the competition, overcoming setbacks and securing his title against tough odds.
Gukesh’s success is not solely attributed to his talent; he is part of a thriving chess community in India that supports and cultivates young players. With over 85 grandmasters in the country, many still in their teens, the chess ecosystem in India has proven to be one of the strongest globally. Support from his parents, both medical professionals who paused their careers to nurture his talent, along with mentorship from Anand, has played a vital role in his development.
As Gukesh embarks on this new chapter as world champion, he not only brings hope to aspiring young chess players in India but also inspires a new generation to pursue their dreams with dedication and passion. His story is a promising testament to the power of support, hard work, and talent coming together to achieve extraordinary dreams.