18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju made history on 12th December 2024 by becoming the youngest-ever chess world champion at the FIDE World Championship in Singapore. He defeated China's Ding Liren in a thrilling match that went to a deciding 14th round. Gukesh, a rising star from India, is now the youngest to claim the title, surpassing Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won in 1985. Gukesh also follows in the footsteps of legendary Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand.

The victory earned Gukesh a cash prize of $2.5 million (?21 crores), and he received widespread praise from across India and the world. PM Modi, President Murmu, Viswanathan Anand, and celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Alia Bhatt congratulated him on social media. Even Google honored his achievement by changing its logo.

Gukesh's victory was emotional, especially for his father, who had been waiting anxiously outside the tournament hall. The moment he learned of his son's triumph went viral on social media, with fans in India celebrating wildly.

Gukesh, born in Chennai on 29th May 2006, has had an impressive career since he was a child, with numerous wins, including becoming the youngest grandmaster at 12.5 years. His incredible journey was made possible by the support of his parents, especially his father, who quit his job to accompany him to tournaments.

Though some controversy surrounded the match, with Russian chess officials questioning Ding's performance, Gukesh's triumph has made India proud. Upon his return to Chennai, Gukesh was welcomed with a hero's reception, with flowers, garlands, and cheers from thousands of fans.

This victory marks a historic achievement for Gukesh and Indian chess. We congratulate him for making the country proud!

Tags

• gukesh dommaraju
• world chess championship

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