Indian chess player Gukesh becomes the youngest world champion in history.

In an exciting and nail-biting showdown, Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest world chess champion at just 18 years old. This remarkable accomplishment was achieved after defeating the reigning champion, Ding Liren of China, in the 14th and final game of their intense match.

After a grueling battle, Gukesh secured the necessary 7.5 points, surpassing Liren's 6.5 points and claiming the coveted world title. As the champion, he will also receive a significant portion of the $2.5 million prize pool.

In an interview with reporters, the soft-spoken Chennai native expressed his joy and disbelief at realizing a dream he had been chasing for the past decade. "I was dreaming of this moment for the last 10 years. I am grateful and thrilled to have made it a reality," Gukesh shared.

The young prodigy also revealed that he was caught off guard by his victory, saying, "I got a bit emotional because I was not expecting to win. But then I got a chance to press on." His usual serious demeanor was replaced by a huge grin and raised arms, showcasing his elation and relief at the monumental win.

Prior to Gukesh's record-breaking achievement, Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov held the title of youngest world champion at the age of 22. Gukesh also follows in the footsteps of another Indian chess icon, Viswanathan Anand, who previously held the world title five times.

Reflecting on his accomplishment, Gukesh shared, "Every chess player dreams of winning the world title. I am beyond grateful to be living my dream." His final game against Liren, which lasted four hours and 58 moves, solidified his place as the 18th world chess champion in history.

If the game had ended in a draw, the winner would have been determined in tie-breaks the following day. However, Gukesh's impressive performance in the third and 11th rounds, combined with his victory in the 14th game, secured his place as the world champion.

Gukesh's journey to the world title began earlier this year when he won the Candidates tournament, earning him the title of youngest-ever challenger to the world crown. And now, with his historic win, he joins the ranks of chess greats and inspires a new generation of young players to chase their dreams.

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