If there is a game that mirrors life, it is none other than chess. In life, mistakes might offer second chances for rectification, but in chess, a single wrong move can decide the winner and the loser.
Such is the intensity of chess, and today, the world witnessed the coronation of its new king, Gukesh Dommaraju.
This young prodigy from India defeated China’s Ding Liren in the final match series of the FIDE World Chess Championship held in Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa and became the “Youngest Undisputed World Chess Champion.”
“Seeing it up close for the first time… I don’t want to touch it, I want to lift it at the closing ceremony!” 🇮🇳 World Champion Gukesh D about the trophy 🏆#DingGukesh @DGukesh pic.twitter.com/RFybjmXkFl
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 13, 2024
The showdown, a 14-game series, showcased the determination and resilience of both players as they went head-to-head.
Although Gukesh lost the first match of the series, he maintained his focus and delivered an extraordinary performance to clinch the championship.
“No matter how you prepare for it, you come here as an 18-year-old and you lose the first game like the way I did… It was quite tough to handle that,” Gukesh admitted.
However, a pivotal meeting with his idol, Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, helped him regain his composure.
“It was a nice reminder… I needed some mental toughness at that point,” he added.
Anand’s encouragement reminded him that there were 13 more games left to play, providing the reassurance he needed.
From that moment, Gukesh gave a tough fight and clenched a victory in the 11th game of the final showdown. The games before that ended in a draw between both players.
The final match was widely expected to end in a draw, potentially leading to a rapid-fire tiebreaker akin to penalties in football. This format would have favoured the Chinese Grandmaster.
However, an unforeseen blunder in the endgame by Ding Liren turned the tide.
Realising his mistake too late, the 32-year-old slumped over the table in despair, while Gukesh, overwhelmed with emotion, buried his face in his hands and burst into tears.
The moment he came outside of the arena, he was welcomed by his father with a warm hug and tears of proudness.
He entered as the Challenger; he exited as the WORLD CHAMPION! @DGukesh 🇮🇳 👏 ♟️
🔥 Gukesh D leaves the venue right after becoming World Champion! A big hug with his dad, Dr. Rajinikanth, a big hug with his second, Grzegorz Gajewski, and off to the bus for the final press… pic.twitter.com/94UVZRgulK
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024
The moment was historic, and his supporters celebrated exuberantly both at the venue and across social media.
Among the first to congratulate him was his idol, Viswanathan Anand.
Congratulations! It's a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India, a proud moment for WACA, and for me, a very personal moment of pride. Ding played a very exciting match and showed the champion he is.@FIDE_chess @WacaChess pic.twitter.com/o3hq26JFPf
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) December 12, 2024
Heartiest congratulations to Gukesh for becoming the youngest player to win the World Chess Championship. He has done India immensely proud. His victory stamps the authority of India as a chess powerhouse.
Well done Gukesh! On behalf of every Indian, I wish you sustained glory…— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 12, 2024
My heartfelt congratulations to our very own Grandmaster @DGukesh for emerging as the Champion at the World Chess Championship 2024 held in Singapore.
We are immensely proud that Gukesh, a distinguished player in SDAT’s ELITE Players scheme, continues to bring home consistent… pic.twitter.com/2B2g0d5SOq
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) December 12, 2024
Achieving this victory fulfilled a long-cherished dream. The newly crowned world chess king, Gukesh Dommaraju, described becoming a champion as the culmination of more than a decade of dedication and ambition, while expressing his desire to continue striving for greatness.
Gukesh was just seven years old when he watched compatriot Viswanathan Anand lose the world chess title in November 2013 to Norway’s Magnus Carlsen—a match that ignited his dream of bringing the crown back to India
2017 – A 11 year old kid from Chennai, India manifests to become youngest World Chess Champion
2024 – 18 Years old GUKESH HAS BECOME WORLD CHAMPION.
Historic day for Indian chess! 🇮🇳❤️
Respect 🫡
whole india is proud of u#GukeshDing | #Gukesh #gukeshdommaraju #gukeshvsding pic.twitter.com/jwO6OZYPzK— Dipanjan Chatterjee (@I_am_DipCh) December 12, 2024
Speaking to reporters after the match, Gukesh reflected on the 2013 game as a defining moment in his journey.
“I was in the stands, and I was looking inside the glass box (where the players were), and I thought it will be so cool to be inside one day,” he reminisced about the tournament in his hometown of Chennai.
“When Magnus won, I thought I really want to be the one to bring back the title to India. And this dream that I had more than 10 years ago has been the most important thing in my life so far,” he added. “I’ve been dreaming about… living this moment for like more than 10 years.”
But for Gukesh, this victory is only the beginning. Determined not to be a one-hit wonder, he is resolved to remain at the top for as long as possible.
“I want to stay at the top ‘for the longest time possible’ to ultimately attain Carlsen’s eminence as the highest-rated chess player in history,” he declared.
Source: Malay Mail, NST
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
