Indian Prodigy Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Chess Champion at 18

Indian teen prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju made history on Thursday, becoming the youngest undisputed world chess champion at just 18. Gukesh defeated reigning champion Ding Liren of China in a dramatic final match in Singapore, securing a score of 7.5 to Ding’s 6.5 in the 14-game series.

The decisive game saw Gukesh press on with a one-pawn advantage, ultimately capitalizing on an endgame blunder by Ding, who resigned after realizing his mistake. Jubilant fans, many of Indian descent, erupted in cheers as Gukesh claimed victory, chanting his name in celebration.

Overcome with emotion, Gukesh said, “My whole strategy for this match was to push as much as possible in every single game. It just takes one game for the strategy to pay off.”

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Gukesh’s triumph makes him the youngest world champion in history, surpassing Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who claimed the title at 22. He also becomes the second Indian world chess champion, following Viswanathan Anand.

Born to a doctor father and a microbiologist mother, Gukesh began playing chess at seven and became India’s youngest grandmaster at 12. His victory cements his place among chess greats, marking a remarkable ascent in the sport.