Indian teenager becomes youngest ever world chess champion
Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China in the final match of their series in Singapore.
Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in the contest, surpassing the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22.
The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.
Indian Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, becomes the youngest ever undisputed classical chess world champion. (Simon Lim/AFP/Getty Images via CNN)
After securing victory, Dommaraju burst into tears and raised his arms in celebration.
“I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realised the dream (and made it) into reality,” he told reporters after his win.
Dommaraju is now the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand.
“It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and for me, a very personal moment of pride,” Anand, who has been a mentor to Dommaraju, said in a post on X.
There were scenes of celebration across the world following Gukesh’s victory. (Simon Lim/AFP/Getty Images via CNN)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the 18-year-old on his “remarkable accomplishment,” calling it “the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination.”
“His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence,” Modi said in a post on X.
The match was a 14-round long-time classical event with a prize fund of US$2.5 million ($3.92 million).
