Jobaaj Stories
India has another reason to celebrate, as 18-year-old chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion ever. Gukesh defeated the reigning champion Ding Liren in an intense battle, securing the title with a final score of 7.5-6.5.
This remarkable achievement puts Gukesh ahead of the legendary Garry Kasparov, who held the record for the youngest World Champion at 22 years old when he defeated Anatoly Karpov in 1985. Kasparov, now retired, couldn’t help but praise Gukesh for his exceptional skills and determination.
On social media, Kasparov expressed his admiration for Gukesh’s journey, saying, “Congratulations to @DGukesh on his victory today. He has reached the highest peak of all: making his mother proud.” He also added that Gukesh’s journey was impressive, especially considering his young age, and highlighted the resilience the Indian grandmaster showed throughout the championship.
My congratulations to @DGukesh on his victory today. He has summitted the highest peak of all: making his mother happy!
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 12, 2024
Kasparov did not dwell on the blunder made by Ding Liren in Game 14, which some critics had pointed out as a turning point. Kasparov reminded everyone that no world championship match is free from mistakes, mentioning his own blunders in the 2014 Carlsen-Anand match. “Which world championship has ever gone ahead without a blunder?” he wrote.
While some, like former champion Vladimir Kramnik, criticized Ding Liren for his blunder, Kasparov remained focused on Gukesh’s outstanding performance. "Gukesh was well-prepared and played the best chess. His victory marks a historic moment for India," Kasparov added. He also mentioned how chess is flourishing in India, with the country producing talented players like Gukesh and continuing to dominate on the international stage.
This victory comes on the back of a brilliant year for Indian chess, with Gukesh’s win adding to India’s dominance in chess tournaments worldwide, including their recent triumph in the Chess Olympiad. According to Kasparov, the future of chess in India looks bright, with a wealth of untapped talent.
For the chess community, Gukesh’s victory signifies a new era for the sport, and for India, it marks another milestone in the country's growing influence in global chess.
Interestingly, Kasparov also noted that December 12, the day Gukesh clinched the title, marks the 40th anniversary of his first World Championship win against Karpov. “It’s a special day, and it’s wonderful to see new records being set,” Kasparov said.
As for Gukesh, this is just the beginning. With the world watching, the young champion’s next goal will surely be to continue to rise and push the boundaries of the game even further.
