Bharat’s prodigious 17-year-old Grandmaster, D Gukesh, has etched his name in the annals of chess history by clinching victory at the Candidates Chess Tournament, securing his position as the youngest challenger ever for the world title. His remarkable triumph sets the stage for a monumental showdown against reigning world champion Ding Liren of China later this year.
Gukesh demonstrated his exceptional skill and composure by amassing an impressive nine points out of a potential 14, culminating in a draw in his final round against American chess luminary Hikaru Nakamura. In achieving this feat, he joins the esteemed ranks of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who previously triumphed in the Candidates Tournament in 2014.
Anand himself expressed his admiration and pride for Gukesh’s achievement, hailing the young champion’s resilience and skill in navigating challenging encounters. The victory holds particular significance as both Anand and Gukesh hail from Chennai, adding to the pride of the chess community in Bharat.
The outcome of Gukesh’s historic win hinged on the final match between Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia and top-seeded American Fabiano Caruana, which concluded in a draw, sealing Gukesh’s solo lead. Any deviation in the result would have necessitated a tie-break scenario.
Gukesh’s meteoric rise in the world of chess began with his attainment of the Grandmaster title at the age of 12, making him the third-youngest in history to achieve this distinction. His success story continued with a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, solidifying his status as a rising star in the global chess arena.
As the chess world eagerly anticipates the forthcoming championship clash, the dates and venue for the much-anticipated showdown remain to be finalized, promising an exhilarating spectacle for fans worldwide.
