Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, becomes youngest chess world champion

SINGAPORE — Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old grandmaster from India, became the youngest chess world champion in history on Thursday when he defeated Ding Liren 7½-6½ in Singapore.

The teenager, who was also the youngest challenger to compete for the world title, earned the point needed in the best-of-14 series to dethrone Liren, who had held the title since April 2023. The victory made Dommaraju the 18th world chess champion and the second from India, The Athletic reported.

Five-time champion Viswanathan Anand is the other titlist from India, and Dommaraju broke the mark of youngest world champion set by Garry Kasparov, who defeated Anatoly Karpov in 1985 at the age of 22, the sports news outlet reported.

Dommaraju earned the victory in a tight match that seemed on the verge of a tie, but Ding made a crucial error on the 55th move, according to NPR. Ding had decided to sacrifice one of his rooks to capture one of Dommaraju’s, the former champion from China said in a postgame news conference.

“I was totally in shock when I realized I made the blunder,” said Ding, who resigned three moves later, according to the International Chess Federation.

Dommaraju broke into tears after his victory was confirmed, CNN reported.

“My journey, it’s been since the time I started playing chess at 6 1/2, 7 (years old). I’ve been dreaming about this moment for more than 10 years,” he said after the match. “Every chess player wants to experience this moment and very few get the chance. To be one of them -- I think the only way to explain it is I am living my dream.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gukesh in a post on X, CNN reported.

“Historic and exemplary! Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable accomplishment,” Modi tweeted. “This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination.”

India President Draupadi Murmu said Gukesh’s victory “stamps the authority of India as a chess powerhouse.”

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