India’s Gukesh makes history, wins World Chess Championship at 18

With no winner in the final classical game - Game 14 - of the World Chess Championship match on Thursday, December 12, GM Ding Liren and GM Gukesh Dommaraju, were set to fight it out in the tiebreaks on Friday, but an amazing endgame blunder – 55.Rf2? – by the reigning world champion handed the title to the teenager. WE HAVE A NEW WORLD CHAMPION! Congratulations Gukesh D ! #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/W4w2dE0C36 — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024 ALSO READ: How India’s Chennai mints world-beating chess champions, one move at a time A shocking win in the mega finale on Thursday sealed the title for Gukesh, making him the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the global title. Anand, a five-time world champion, last won the crown in 2012. Gukesh’s victory stamps the authority of India as a chess powerhouse. WE HAVE A NEW WORLD CHAMPION! Congratulations Gukesh D ! #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/W4w2dE0C36 — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024 After nine draws in 13 games, the 18-year-old from Chennai capitalised on Ding’s blunder in the final classical game, becoming not just the 18th World Champion but also the youngest in history, breaking the record set by Garry Kasparov in 1985. Gukesh secured the requisite 7.5 points against Ding’s 6.5 after winning the last classical time control game of the 14-game match that seemed headed for a draw for the most part. At the post game press conference, the new world champion especially thanked his parents for all the sacrifices they made for him to get there. When Magnus won, I thought I really want to be the one to bring back the title to India - Gukesh D#DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/8ZddwM5D0G — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024 ‘I was totally in shock’ In the final moment of the match when Gukesh spotted Ding’s blunder, he smiled. But his opponent was in shock. “I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder,” Ding told the post game press conference. I think I played my best tournament of the year. It could be better, but considering yesterday's lucky survive it's a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets. ALSO READ: Ding’s mighty defence highpoint in game 13 draw On Thursday, Ding started with the advantage of playing with white pieces, the odds stacked against his challenger, in the final classical round. Ding, he's eyeballing Gukesh a lot. Whenever Ding is going into these long things, it's as if he is verifying his analysis by Gukesh's facial expressions. Strange! Gukesh has a poker face; how do you read him? - GM David Howell #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/grlgs2qn3n — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024 Earlier, Gukesh appeared to be cruising towards his maiden title run when he beat Ding in Game 11 with white pieces but the Chinese grandmaster made a sensational comeback with a win in Game 12, levelling the scores.

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India’s Gukesh makes history, wins World Chess Championship at 18