India's D Gukesh becomes youngest ever world champion in chess
India's chess player Dommaraju Gukesh on Thursday scripted history by becoming the youngest ever world champion at the age of 18.
Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren in the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024.
The Indian player won it after battling it out hard for three weeks.
POV you just witnessed Gukesh D become the 18th World Champion! #DingGukesh ๐ฎ๐ณ ๐ โ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/gWaF8iJrvk
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024
Gukesh defeated Ding in the 14th game which was on the way for a draw but a blunder by the Chinese helped the Indian chess player to clinch the title.
"Since the time I started playing, I have been dreaming about living this moment. Every chess player wants to experience this moment but a very few get the chance. I'm living my dream," said Gukesh after scripting history.
"We all know who Ding is - he has been one of the best players in history for several years. For me he is the real World Champion," he added.
๐ฎ๐ณ Gukesh D: "I'm just living my dream"#DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/PjuAGhRyDp
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024
"I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder," said Ding after the defeat.
๐ฎ๐ณ Gukesh D is the YOUNGEST WORLD CHAMPION in history! ๐ฅ ๐ pic.twitter.com/MYShXB5M62
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024
Earlier, Russian chess player Garry Kasparov was the youngest world champion.
He had won the championship in 1985 at the age of 22.
Gukesh also became the first Indian chess champion since Viswanathan Anand in 2012.
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