Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju recently shocked the world of chess when he became the youngest world champion.
The Chennai, India-born prodigy defeated defending champion, China’s Ding Liren, in a dramatic match staged in Singapore. Dommaraiu had entered the match as the challenger. It marked the peak of his career to date, his greatest moment in a long string of achievements. The FIDE World Chess Championship carries a $2.5m (£1.96m) prize fund.
The dramatic match culminated on Dec. 12, with a tense 14th game. Both players were tied at 6.5 points after two wins each and eight draws, heightening the suspense. However, Gukesh capitalized on a critical mistake by Ding, who blundered on the 55th move by positioning his rook in a vulnerable spot. Gukesh immediately seized the opportunity, forcing Ding to resign just three moves later. Overcome with emotion, Gukesh burst into tears as the room erupted in cheers, celebrating his victory.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh breaks the previous record set by legendary Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who won the world title at the age of 22 in 1985. He also becomes only the second Indian player to claim the world championship crown after five-time champion Viswanathan Anand, who last won the title in 2012. Notably, Gukesh calls Anand his mentor, crediting him for guidance throughout his career.
According to Chess.com, “Garry Kasparov is arguably the greatest chess player of all time. Born in Baku, Soviet Union (now Azerbaijan) in 1963, he quickly developed at Mikhail Botvinnik’s school, on his way to becoming the youngest champion (at that time) in chess history in 1985. Kasparov split from FIDE in 1993, and would later become known outside of chess for his political activism after his 2005 retirement. Although no longer a professional player, he remains active in the chess scene as well.”
Gukesh, who hails from Chennai, India’s “chess capital,” was introduced to chess as a child when his parents, both doctors, enrolled him in after-school chess lessons. His natural talent was quickly recognized by coaches, leading his family to invest heavily in his training. At the age of 12, Gukesh earned the title of grandmaster, becoming the third-youngest in chess history. Since then, his career has been marked by a series of incredible achievements, including individual gold medals at the Chess Olympiad in 2022 and 2024, and a victory at the prestigious Candidates Tournament earlier this year to qualify for the world championship.
Levy Rozman, known online as Gotham Chess says, “The final match against Ding Liren was a grueling test of mental and physical endurance, lasting over two weeks,” he said. “The games were closely fought, with both players showcasing exceptional strategy and composure under pressure. Gukesh’s ability to stay calm and collected in critical moments, ultimately secured his victory.”
“I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win that position,” Gukesh shared in a post-match interview on Dec. 12, after his victory. “It’s a proud moment for me, for India, and for chess.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined fans worldwide in celebrating the young champion’s achievement on Dec. 12, calling it “historic and exemplary” on X. He praised Gukesh’s talent, dedication, and determination as an inspiration for young athletes everywhere.
Gukesh’s story is a testament to perseverance and the growing prominence of chess in India. Over the past decade, the country has produced an increasing number of top-tier players, supported by a thriving chess community and institutions like the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy, where Gukesh trains.
According to BBC’s, Devangshu Datta, a chess writer, “despite his rise to the pinnacle of the chess world, Gukesh remains grounded. Outside of chess, he enjoys swimming, playing tennis, and practicing yoga to manage stress and maintain focus.” He said, “Looking ahead, he has set his sights on dethroning current world number one Magnus Carlsen and building a long, successful career at the top.“
Lateef expressed that how he feel Gukesh represents the younger generation in chess.
“Gukesh victory represents not just a personal achievement, but also represents young chess players around the globe. As the new face of the chess world, Gukesh’s journey reminds me, that with hard work, resilience, and passion, dreams become reality.
Jack Berrian thinks that Gukesh is inhuman when it comes to chess.
“Winning at his age, it’s pretty remarkable,” he said. “I mean, he’s just 18, which is the same age as me, and he’s defeating all these accomplished grandmasters like it’s nothing. I think that it’s also extremely inspirational for young people in India, because he’s someone they can really look up to.”
“Chess has really been on the rise in India, and around the world, so Gukesh becoming the World Champion and making headlines at his age could be very beneficial for the continued growth of chess,” he added.
