Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has achieved an historic milestone by becoming the youngest-ever undisputed classical chess world champion after beating Ding Liren in their best-of-14 final in Singapore. The 18-year-old claimed victory with a crucial point from a blunder made by his opponent.
Gukesh’s emotional reaction was evident as he broke into tears after his win, while Ding looked on in disbelief. The youngster’s father shared a long embrace with him upon exiting the building.
This victory marks India’s second world chess championship title and 18th overall for the country. Gukesh credited his parents, coaches, and fans for their support throughout his journey, saying it was “the best moment of my life.” He has been playing chess since he was six-and-a-half years old and has spent over a decade working towards this achievement.
Gukesh’s win has sent shockwaves across the country, with fans in India celebrating wildly. Several high-profile Indians have congratulated him, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former champion Viswanathan Anand.
Sports figures praised Gukesh for his brilliance, determination, and grace under pressure. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar said he had “opened a world of endless possibilities” for young chess players, while Abhinav Bindra described him as a source of inspiration to the nation.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/12/sport/gukesh-dommaraju-youngest-chess-world-champion-spt/index.html