Gukesh Dommaraju made history by becoming the youngest world chess champion on Thursday. He achieved this remarkable feat by defeating reigning champion Ding Liren in the final match of the World Chess Championship held in Singapore. The 18-year-old prodigy emerged victorious in the intense battle, clinching a 7.5-6.5 win in a thrilling Game 14 of classical chess.
Gukesh, who at the age of 12 had become the second-youngest grandmaster in history, represents a new wave of Indian talent following in the footsteps of Anand, who broke Russia’s dominance in the game by winning the title in 2007. Gukesh has openly expressed his admiration for Anand, calling him his inspiration and role model.
The decisive match on Thursday followed a tense showdown that had left both players tied going into the final classical game. In a dramatic turn of events, Gukesh left Ding stunned in Game 13, with Ding admitting in the post-match conference that he had almost given up. Despite Ding’s resilience leading to a tied score of 6.5 points each, the ultimate victory came in Game 14.
Analysts pointed out that Ding made a crucial error in the final game, ultimately paving the way for Gukesh to claim the title. Reflecting on his unexpected win, Gukesh humbly acknowledged Ding’s stature in the game, describing him as the true World Champion.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Gukesh’s historic achievement, praising him for not only securing a significant place in chess history but also inspiring countless young individuals to pursue excellence. The absence of prominent figures like Magnus Carlsen from Norway added a unique element to this year’s championship, where the Russians were notably missing from the final round, breaking their long-standing dominance in the game.
Ding Liren’s recent struggles and Gukesh’s outstanding form underscored the changing landscape of chess, with India’s growing influence in the sport evident through government support and sponsorships. The World Chess Championship attracted a large global audience, reflecting the sport’s rising popularity, particularly during the pandemic, and the impact of the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit.”
The tournament showcased the immense talent and competitive spirit of players like Gukesh, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the chess world and setting the stage for a new era of champions.
In a remarkable turn of events, the world of chess is experiencing a surge in popularity with online platforms seeing a substantial increase in participation. The number of games played on Chess.com in January 2021 has skyrocketed to nearly four times the amount seen in January 2020. This exponential growth has not gone unnoticed, as Chess.com has taken the initiative to host its own prestigious million-dollar tournaments, rivaling the traditional powerhouse of the game, the International Chess Federation, also known as FIDE.
With such high stakes involved in these tournaments, players are often inclined towards playing cautiously, leading to frequent draws. However, the inaugural game of a recent championship proved to be a captivating exception. In an unexpected turn of events, Ding secured a decisive victory, breaking a nearly 15-year streak of opening games ending in draws. This victory drew parallels to a historic match in 2010, where Veselin Topalov emerged victorious over Viswanathan Anand.
The chess world is witnessing a dynamic shift in its landscape, with online platforms emerging as influential players in the realm of competitive play. As the game continues to evolve and adapt to the digital age, we can expect to see more exciting developments and intense rivalries unfold on virtual boards around the globe.
