Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju clinched the title of the youngest undisputed world chess champion on Thursday by defeating China’s Ding Liren in their final match in Singapore.
At 18, an emotional Gukesh celebrated his victory with tears and a triumphant raise of his arms following Ding’s resignation in a nail-biting endgame initially poised for a draw. “I aimed to challenge myself in every game,” Gukesh shared with reporters, emphasizing the effectiveness of his aggressive strategy.
The victory prompted cheers from a diverse crowd, including many Indians and local fans of Indian heritage who had gathered to witness the match.
At the post-match press conference, chants of Gukesh’s name filled the room. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Gukesh’s “remarkable accomplishment” for his exceptional talent and determination. Modi’s post on X highlighted the inspirational impact of Gukesh’s triumph on countless young individuals.
The prize distribution, as arranged by the International Chess Federation, promises each player $200,000 per win, with Gukesh earning a total of $1.35 million and Ding $1.15 million.
Gukesh, the son of a doctor and a microbiologist, began playing chess at seven and became India’s youngest grandmaster by 12. Despite his rigorous training, he enjoys the popular sitcom “Friends” and honours his faith with a tilak during matches.
His recent victories against top players like Fabiano Caruana and Magnus Carlsen have set the stage for what he promises to be a long and distinguished career. “I aim to remain at the top for as long as possible,” he remarked post-victory.
India celebrates its new chess king, with luminaries like Viswanathan Anand and Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra lauding Gukesh’s achievement and the hope it inspires for future generations.
