Gukesh Dommaraju Claims Title as Youngest World Chess Champion in Historic Win

In a stunning championship match, Gukesh Dommaraju of India triumphed over Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren, making history as the youngest world chess champion at just 18 years old. The match concluded in Singapore after a tense battle where a crucial mistake from Ding led to Dommaraju's victory.

Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has made headlines worldwide by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion, defeating China’s reigning champion Ding Liren in a dramatic championship match held on Thursday. At just 18 years old, Dommaraju surpasses the previous record set by Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who won the title at age 22 in 1985. The prodigy from Chennai has long been recognized for his exceptional talent, having achieved the title of chess grandmaster by the tender age of 12.

Entering the FIDE World Chess Championship as an underdog, Dommaraju faced off against Ding in a match that had captured the attention of chess enthusiasts across the globe. The competition was notably tight, with both players locked in two victories and eight draws prior to the decisive game. Comments from game commentators highlighted that Dommaraju played a critical endgame, capitalizing on a rare misstep by Ding while in a seemingly strong position.

After an intense session of mental strategies and tactics, Ding made a pivotal mistake on move 55, moving his rook into a vulnerable position. Recognizing the blunder, he slumped visibly at the table. Analysts noted that the opportunity to secure a victory was within Ding's grasp, but the pressure of the match seemed to weigh heavily on him, leading to a pawn-down endgame that ultimately did not turn in his favor.

As Ding resigned three moves later, Dommaraju was overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears of victory amidst the cheers of an excited room. "I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win that position," he recounted to reporters following his momentous win.

With this victory, Dommaraju not only claims the prestigious title but also becomes the second Indian to earn the title of world chess champion, following the accomplishments of five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated this remarkable achievement, emphasizing Dommaraju's commitment and talent on social media.

The FIDE World Chess Championship offers a lucrative prize fund of $2.5 million (£1.96 million), underscoring the significance of this monumental event in the chess world. The chess community now looks forward to witnessing how the young champion will further shape his career in the game.