New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh etched his name in the history books on Thursday after he became the youngest world chess champion at 18 years of age. Gukesh beat title-holder Ding Liren of China in the 14th and last game of a roller-coaster showdown that went down to the wire and proved to the most thrilling contest out of all 14 matches played between the two so far.
The Indian GM secured the required 7.5 points against Liren, who got 6.5 at the end. Gukesh won the last classical time control game of the 14th match that also seemed to be heading towards a draw like most of the other matches. Gukesh thus pipped Garry Kasparov of Russia to become the youngest world chess champion. Kasparov had achieved the monumental feat back in 1985 at the age of 22 when he dethroned Anatoly Karpov.
The Indian had entered the match as the youngest ever challenger to the world crown after emerging victorious in the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Gukesh now is the second Indian after legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the global title, with Anand winning the coveted crown as many as five times. Let’s take a look at the youngest world chess champions after the Indian Grandmaster’s remarkable feat.
Youngest world chess champions
Players
Age
Year
D Gukesh
18 years, 8 months, 14 days
2024
Garry Kasparov
22 years, 6 months, 27 days
1985
Magnus Carlsen
22 years, 11 months, 24 days
2013
Mikhail Tal
23 years, 5 months, 28 days
1960
Anatoly Karpov
23 years, 10 months, 11 days
1975
What Gukesh said after winning the world championship title
The youngest world chess champion was extremely elated after he scripted history with the title-winning victory. He said that he dreamt of this moment for the last decade and is happy that he realised the dream.
“I was dreaming this moment for last 10 years. Happy I realised this dream,” Gukesh said after his incredible victory. “I got a bit emotional because I was not expecting to win. But then I got a chance to press on,” he added.
Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh etched his name in the history books on Thursday after he became the youngest world chess champion at 18 years of age. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
