An 18-year-old has become the youngest world chess champion in history after his opponent made a dramatic blunder in the final match of the prestigious tournament.
Gukesh Dommaraju dethroned reigning champion Ding Liren in a stunning victory during their best-of-14-games showdown in Singapore, all thanks to a fatal mistake made by his opponent.
The Indian player scored 7.5 points against his rival’s 6.5, securing a shock win in a match which was expected to be a dead draw and end with tie-breaks.
Titleholder Ding, who was anticipated to have the advantage in the deciding round, blew it all up with a single reckless move – taking his rook from f4 to f2 and trapping his bishop.
Rarely, if ever, are Championship games decided by one-move blunders, but as the catastrophic mistake became apparent to those watching, Gukesh stared at the board in disbelief.
Gukesh had one hour and six minutes on the clock compared to his opponent’s nine minutes and 43 seconds, and calmly gulped his water as he took it all in.
Commentators, who had been discussing how confident Ding would be feeling going into tie-breaks, gasped as they realised what had happened.
The room erupted with cheers and Gukesh broke down in tears, realising that with his final move he would achieve his dream of becoming the youngest ever champion.
The 18-year-old raised his arms in triumph after becoming the youngest ever champion
India’s grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju reacts after winning against China’s grandmaster Ding Liren
Ding Liren held his head in his hands as he realised that he had surrendered the crown with one move
The room erupted in applause as it became apparent that Gukesh would take the crown
Titleholder Ding, who was anticipated to have the advantage in the deciding round, blew it all up with a single reckless move
By taking his rook from f4 to f2, Ding trapped his bishop. Gukesh then realised he had a path to the win
The teenager, known in the chess world as Gukesh D, has long been considered a rising star in the chess world and became the third-youngest grandmaster in history at the age of 12 years and seven months.
He has now smashed the record for youngest world champ, which was previously held by Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he beat Anatoly Karpov in 1985.
Gukesh had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.
After securing victory, Gukesh burst into tears and raised his arms in celebration.
‘I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realized the dream (and made it) into reality,’ he told reporters after his win.
Gukesh is now the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand.
‘It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and for me, a very personal moment of pride,’ Anand, who has been a mentor to Gukesh, said on X.
Gukesh had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year
Indian school students congratulate the world’s youngest chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju, in Chennai on December 13, 2024
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the 18-year-old on his ‘remarkable accomplishment,’ calling it ‘the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination.’
‘His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence,’ Modi said in a post on X.
‘When I realized it, it was probably the best moment of my life,’ Gukesh said afterwards.
As well as earning the prestigious title, the teenager has banked £1.06million from the prize fund of $2.5 million.
‘I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder,’ Ding said. ‘His facial expression showed that he was very happy and excited and I realized I made a blunder. It took some time to realize it.’
‘I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win from that position,’ Gukesh said.
‘I was going to press it for as long as it as I could possibly press, but I thought, “It’s OK. We are going to play for five, six hours. It’s going to end in a draw, and let’s focus on the tiebreaks.”
‘But then suddenly after Rf2, I saw [the game] was actually done.
‘I was already preparing myself to go through that huge tiebreak fight and suddenly it was all over and I had achieved my dream.
‘I’m not someone who shows a lot of emotions, but I think this one can be forgiven.’
Chinese grandmaster Ding had fought through each of the rounds, and ultimately admitted that the better player had won in the end.
‘It was not as dead a draw as yesterday. He had a bishop on the board. He also had a rook, so it was more tricky.
‘I could have done better, but considering my lucky escape in yesterday’s game, it’s fair that I lost in the end. I have no regrets.’