Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju made history as the youngest world champion after beating current champion Ding Liren in the crucial 14th game of the World Chess Championship match in Singapore on Thursday, December 12.
Gukesh was utterly stunned and couldn’t stop his tears after he became the youngest chess world champion at just 18 years old. He acquired the title on Thursday after defeating world champion Ding Liren from China in the final and 14th game of an exciting contest in Singapore.
Gukesh, who had entered the match as the youngest challenger for the world title, did not begin the championship ideally, as he lost the first round. Nevertheless, he recovered to equal the score in the final of the third round.
Following a succession of seven tied rounds, the Indian ultimately gained the advantage in the 11th game, but was defeated by the Chinese in the subsequent round.
However, Gukesh ultimately triumphed on Thursday. Just as it appeared that a draw was about to happen, potentially favoring Liren, Gukesh obtained the necessary 7.5 points compared to Liren’s 6.5 to clinch the final classical time control game of the 14-game match.
‘Tears of joy’
After the victory, Gukesh was unable to hold back his tears. His hands covered his face while he continued to wipe away his tears. Liren, conversely, appeared completely crushed by the outcome as he shook hands with Gukesh and departed right away, shaking his head in dismay.
“I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realised the dream (and made it) into reality,” the soft-spoken Chennai-lad told reporters after the historic triumph. “I got a bit emotional because I was not expecting to win. But then I got a chance to press on.”
