Singapore: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh Thursday became the youngest world chess champion at 18 years after beating title-holder Ding Liren of China in the 14th and last game of a roller-coaster showdown that went right down to the wire.
Gukesh secured the requisite 7.5 points as against 6.5 of Liren after winning the last classical time control game of the 14-game match that seemed headed for a draw for the most part. As the title winner, he will get a major share of the USD 2.5 million prize purse.
“I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realised the dream (and made it) into reality,” the soft-spoken Chennai lad told reporters after the historic triumph here.
“I got a bit emotional because I was not expecting to win. But then I got a chance to press on,” he added.
The reticent teenager grinned widely and raised his arms in celebration after the triumph, a stark contrast from the poker face he usually sports while playing.
Before Gukesh’s feat Thursday, the legendary Garry Kasparov of Russia was the youngest world champion when he won the title at the age of 22, dethroning Anatoly Karpov in 1985.
Gukesh had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.
He is the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the global title. Anand, a five-time world champion, had last held the title in 2013 before going down to Magnus Carlsen.
“Every chess player wants to live this dream. I am living my dream,” said Gukesh.
Gukesh, who won the 14th game against Liren after 58 moves in four hours, is the 18th world chess champion overall.
If Thursday’s game was also drawn, the winner was to be decided in shorter duration tie-breaks Friday.
Gukesh had won the third and 11th rounds before Thursday’s decisive game, while the 32-year-old Liren emerged victorious in the opening and 12th games.
PTI
