December 13, 2024: D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever FIDE World Chess Champion, after securing a 7.5-6.5 victory over China’s Ding Liren in a thrilling final game of their World Championship match. This monumental victory capped off a remarkable journey for the Indian chess prodigy, who at just 16 years old, dethroned former world champion Ding in a tightly contested match.
In the aftermath of Gukesh’s win, his coach Vishnu Prasanna shared insights into his approach to coaching the young champion. Prasanna revealed that his primary advice to Gukesh throughout his journey was simple but effective: “enjoy your chess.” He explained that enjoying the game was key to improving, adding, “If you enjoy chess, you have the chance of playing it better and that should be the primary goal.” While acknowledging the incredible achievement, Prasanna also stressed that Gukesh had a long way to go in his career, noting that reaching the heights of legendary figures like Vishwanathan Anand would take time.
Prasanna recalled the critical moment in the final game when Ding Liren played the A4 move early on. At that point, he thought the game would be drawn, setting up a likely tiebreaker. However, Ding’s decision to go on the defensive and simplify the game gave Gukesh an opportunity to play on. Prasanna thought that although a draw was still the most probable result, Gukesh’s ability to sustain pressure meant that the game would go on for a longer time, keeping hopes alive for a victory.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Gukesh’s victory was that he broke the record held by Garry Kasparov, who had won the World Championship at 22 years of age. Prasanna, who grew up admiring Kasparov, was in awe of Gukesh’s achievement. “Even when I was growing up, these things are unheard of… Kasparov winning at 22 itself was a spectacular thing… But [Gukesh] has achieved something remarkable. And I think it will be very hard to break,” Prasanna said.
The young champion’s triumph did not go unnoticed by Garry Kasparov, who offered his congratulations, tweeting: “My congratulations to D Gukesh on his victory today. He has summited the highest peak of all: making his mother happy.”
The match was a tense affair, with the scores tied at 6.5-6.5 heading into the final game. The decisive game ended with Gukesh showing unmatched composure and skill, ultimately clinching the title. FIDE’s official X handle declared: “Gukesh D is the YOUNGEST WORLD CHAMPION in history!” The final was a culmination of a dramatic series, where Game 13 ended in a draw, making the 14th and final game the decider.
Gukesh, overwhelmed with emotions after his historic victory, described the moment as the “best moment of his life” during his post-match press conference. The young champion’s words reflected the enormity of his achievement, and the sense of joy and pride he felt after reaching the pinnacle of the chess world.
After the loss, Ding Liren expressed his shock at making a blunder in the final game. He praised Gukesh’s performance, acknowledging that while he had played his best tournament of the year, the result was fair given the events of the match. “I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder. I will continue to play… It is a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets.”
Gukesh’s victory has further cemented India’s growing dominance in the world of chess, following in the footsteps of Vishwanathan Anand, who has been a role model and mentor to many young chess players. The achievement marks a new chapter in Indian chess, with Gukesh emerging as a potential future great, alongside other Indian stars like Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi.
Gukesh’s historic win at the FIDE World Championship not only makes him the youngest-ever champion but also signals a new era in the chess world, where young talent from India is making waves on the global stage.
