In a first for the chess world, 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster (GM) D Gukesh defeated Chinese GM Ding Liren in a tense final game of the World Chess Championship. This incredible win cements his name as the 18th grandmaster to hold the prestigious title and becomes the second Indian player to achieve this feat after the legendary Viswanathan Anand.

The championship clash came down to the wire, with both players tied at 6.5 points each after 13 fiercely competitive games. In the 14th game, both players needed one point, i.e. nothing short of a win, to clinch the world champion title.

Ding, the defending champion, played the white pieces and surprised everyone by forgoing his favorite London opening for a reversed Grünfeld defense, which showed his readiness to avoid a draw at all costs and play the game all out.

But Gukesh didn't flinch. He kept up the pace with Ding and set off aggressively, deliberately opening his files and moving his pieces to create a space advantage very soon. The opening led to an asymmetrical pawn structure that no chess database could find a similar game, resulting in a tight, uncertain fight in sight.

As the game entered the middlegame, both players traded blows, mounting pressure on each other. Ding tried to set up some tactical traps to catch the young challenger off guard. But Gukesh remained calm and composed, holding his ground and maintaining control over the center squares.

At the critical juncture, Ding opted for 20.Nf4, implying that he would prefer to settle for a draw. However, Gukesh had other plans. He stretched the game to its extreme, thereby showing his determination to force Ding to exert himself fully.

The game went into the endgame around the 30th move and from there on, with a series of trades and exchanges, it became a sort of draw by repetition when Gukesh's stubbornness began to shine through against Ding, who was becoming increasingly desperate under mounting pressure.

Time became a factor in the situation as the defending champion's clock ran perilously low. With fewer than 10 minutes of playtime left, Ding seems flustered, meanwhile, Gukesh sits happily with over an hour remaining. The tension mounted, as Gukesh continued challenging and chipping away at the defenses of Ding.

Finally, the pressure was too much for the Chinese GM. A critical blunder allowed Gukesh to seize control and secure a historic victory.

Gukesh is a new era in chess as, at 18, he became the youngest player ever to claim the world champion title. He has inspired millions through his grit and determination, joining the ranks of the chess greats, such as Viswanathan Anand, India's first world champion.

Who is D Gukesh

Born on May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India, Gukesh Dommaraju, or Gukesh D, now has his name in chess history. His father is a surgeon and his mother a microbiologist, and he was supported by them in his interests, but chess came into his life rather unexpectedly. 

At seven years of age, which is a late start to chess prodigies, Gukesh was introduced to the game by his school, part of Chennai's renowned Velammal group of institutions. This institution has also produced other chess stars including Praggnanandhaa R.

Mr. Bhaskar, his first coach, noticed early that Gukesh was one of a kind. Gukesh obtained his FIDE rating after just six months into playing chess under the mentorship of Mr. Bhaskar- a milestone he soon would replicate time and again.

Gukesh emerged as an unstoppable chess prodigy. Two years into his journey with the game of chess, in 2015, he emerged as champion in Under-9 at the Asian School Chess Championships under Mr. Vijayanand's guidance; this was also enough qualification to achieve the Candidate Master (CM) title.

Shortly thereafter, Gukesh dominated the international youth tournaments. At the Asian Youth Chess Championships, he won five gold medals—winning the Under-12 classical, rapid, and blitz events and also team victories in the rapid and blitz formats. In the same year, he was at his peak at the World Youth Chess Championships where he won the Under-12 title with a phenomenal score of 10 out of 11 points.

In 2017 he won the title of International Master at the tender age of 12 in the 34th Cappelle-la-Grande Open. This earned him a place on the radar as one of India's brightest talents. A year later, Gukesh became the second-youngest Grandmaster in chess history, further cementing his place as a rising star.

In 2023, Gukesh achieved another major milestone by dethroning the legendary Viswanathan Anand as India’s top-ranked chess player. This ended Anand’s 37-year reign as the country’s top chess icon, marking the arrival of a new era for Indian chess.

Gukesh's pursuit of greatness led him to the Candidates Tournament, where he became the youngest winner ever. He also now gained the two-way ticket to the World Chess Championship, a wish for every player.

With his eyes set on the ultimate prize, Gukesh D has proved that age is not a barrier to success. His journey from being a seven-year-old beginner to being a world champion is one of discipline, talent, and sheer determination. As he continues to rewrite records, Gukesh inspires millions and proves that Indian chess has an exciting future ahead.