In a thrilling finale to the 2024 World Chess Championship, 18-year-old Indian GM D Gukesh defeated reigning champion Ding Liren in Game 14 to become the youngest world champion in chess history. Gukesh also becomes only the second Indian GM to claim the world title, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand.
A Hard-Fought Final
After 13 intense games, the match stood tied at 6.5 points apiece, with both players needing a win in Game 14 to secure the championship. Ding, playing as White, deviated from his usual London opening, opting for a reverse Grünfeld to keep the game dynamic. However, Gukesh’s strategic precision and calm under pressure defined the game.
Decisive Endgame
The middlegame saw a tense battle of traps and exchanges, with Ding signaling a potential draw attempt midway. Gukesh, undeterred, pushed the game into a complex rook-bishop endgame. As Ding ran out of time and made a crucial blunder, Gukesh capitalized to secure the historic win.
This victory cements Gukesh’s place in chess history as a trailblazer for the next generation of players.
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