Gukesh defeats Ding Liren, becomes youngest-ever World Chess Champion
The 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster Gukesh D scripted history as he was crowned as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. He defeated Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren in the 14th game of the World Chess Championship 2024 at the Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.
The World Chess Championship’s final scores read 7.5-6.5 in Gukesh favor. The reigning champion Ding Liren made a blunder in the endgame, which was dragged into the fifth hour. It seemed like the final was moving into a tie-breaker. However, Gukesh had other plans.
The Indian GM constantly asked questions off Ding Liren, who was trailing on the clock. Ding surrendered in the 55th move, raising the white flag. Eventually, Gukesh capitalized on Ding's blunder and secured the World Chess Championship title.
Gukesh was seen teary-eyed after the winning moments of the final. He went on to surpass Garry Kasparov, who defeated fellow Russian GM Anatoly Karpov, in 1985 as a 22-year-old to win the World Chess Championship.
Notably, Gukesh is the second Indian after legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the global title. Anand had last won the title in 2012.
Earlier, Ding Liren bagged a win in Game 1, while Gukesh snatched a victory in Game 3. Games 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 13 ended in a draw. Subsequently, in Game 11, Gukesh made a comeback to bag a win. Meanwhile, Ding Liren secured a win in Game 12.
World Chess Championship 2024: Results
Monday, November 25
Game 1: Ding Liren defeated Gukesh
Tuesday, November 26
Game 2: Draw
Wednesday, November 27
Game 3: Gukesh defeated Ding Liren
Thursday, November 28
Rest Day
Friday, November 29
Game 4: Draw
Saturday, November 30
Game 5: Draw
Sunday, December 1
Game 6: Draw
Monday, December 2
Rest Day
Tuesday, December 3
Game 7: Draw
Wednesday, December 4
Game 8: Draw
Thursday, December 5
Game 9: Draw
Friday, December 6
Rest Day
Saturday, December 7
Game 10: Draw
Sunday, December 8
Game 11: Gukesh defeated Ding Liren
Monday, December 9
Game 12: Ding Liren defeated Gukesh
Tuesday, December 10
Rest Day
Wednesday, December 11
Game 13: Draw
Thursday, December 12
Game 14: Gukesh defeated Ding Liren