In a spectacular array of skill and determination, Indian chess prodigy Gukesh D clinches the title of the youngest undisputed chess world champion, etching his name into chess history on 12 December 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Defeating Chinese champion Ding Liren after his blunder, the game which was otherwise going to another tiebreaker, took a turn, landing the crown onto the young champion’s lap. The Rise of a Champion Born in Chennai, Gukesh has been a trailblazer in his field ever since he started playing chess at the age of seven. Once his chess teachers saw his talent, he started to participate in tournaments. Gukesh gained recognition after winning the World Youth Chess Championships in 2018 in the Under 12 category. Over the years, he honed his craft with consistency and practice, which led him to win several other accolades, making him a seasoned player. The Battle to Success The young prodigy made it to the Candidates tournament in April 2024, winning the majority of the matches. This in turn qualified him to enter the World Chess Championship. The match spanning 17 days, from 25 November to 12 December, went on for 14 games and was a tight tussle between the two competitors. In the first game, Ding took the win, shocking the world by opening with a solid ‘French Defense.’ The second game resulted in a draw as both players were dissatisfied with their performance. As Gukesh played with the white pieces in game 3, he struck back, ending the game in a well-fought draw of 1.5-1.5. Game 5 was a highlight, where Gukesh almost swept the victory, but Ding’s resourcefulness came into play, tactically forcing the game into a draw. The series progressed and after a long line of ties, Gukesh got a 29-move win, allowing him to take the lead. Everyone thought that the match was over, until in game 12, Ding gave one of his best plays ever, showing computer precision, and leading to a perfect game. The match was brought back to a draw, at 6-6. Defining Moments The 13th game ended in a draw as tension filled the air and reached its peak. Ding Liren made a significant mistake, when he miscalculated the position of his rook while trying to force the game into a draw. Gukesh immediately capitalised on his error and took the opportunity to move his bishop, seizing the king. The final score was 7.5-6.5, marking the pinnacle of his career. Gukesh’s triumphant victory has come almost a decade after Vishwanathan Anand last won the title, bringing the trophy back home. His ascent to the championship is a testament to his unwavering ambition, precise moves and mastery of the game. After his win, Gukesh broke down in tears and thanked God, portraying an immense amount of gratitude. However, he did not forget to rearrange the pieces of his opponents, showcasing his kind character and good sportsmanship. Despite the weighing pressure Ding Liren was facing, he still put up a good fight, managing to defeat Gukesh in the first round. He had been very open about the psychological tensions he was facing, and carrying the expectations of becoming a champion again. His ability to hold ground against Gukesh shows the resilience, perseverance and passion he has when it comes to chess. Although he lost the game, he won the hearts of many. He will continue to be one of the strongest and most respected players in his field. In his post-match interview, Gukesh revealed that he could not have done this without his team. The team consisted of his Polish trainer Grzegorz Gajewski, who lent him a helping hand and coached him along the way. Paddy Upton also gave him a great amount of support. Pentala Harikrishna, Radosław Wojtaszek, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Jan Klimkowski and Vincent Keymer all gave him ideas on analytical workings, further strengthening his game. Vishwanathan Anand was his mentor, guiding him through the hardships. The chess community was abuzz with admiration after his win was declared, including Vishwanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. Vishwanathan Anand congratulated Gukesh on X, stating how this is a proud moment for the future of chess and advised him to not listen to the criticism. Many other prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadu Murmu, have flooded social media platforms with celebratory messages. The Indian government has even announced plans to honour the young champion for his exceptional contribution. A New Era of Chess Gukesh D has not only left India proud, but has proven to be a reflection of the robust chess culture in the country. He has firmly established himself as an icon in chess, marked by his resilience and dedication. His monumental achievement will continue to be an inspiration to countless young players all over the world, showing them that big dreams do come true. True to who he is, Gukesh has already acknowledged that this is not the end of his journey. He hopes to have an everlasting career at the top, further elevating his game as moves forward.
Celebrations and Reactions from the Public
The moment Gukesh knew he won || Source: Instagram - FIDE
13 Dec 2024
Nayana Ittiyamparampath
