Gukesh Becomes Youngest Ever World's Chess Champion

This obsession has shaped Gukesh into a risk-taker...

A now-viral clip of an 11-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh reveals the budding chess prodigy’s ambition. In the video, Gukesh confidently tells IM Sagar Shah of ChessBase India that his goal is to become the youngest chess champion in the world. Fast forward seven years, and Gukesh, at 18, has fulfilled his dream by defeating China's Ding Liren to claim the title. This victory, achieved through a three-week-long intense psychological and physical battle, also broke Garry Kasparov's record for being the youngest world champion.

Gukesh has demonstrated remarkable focus throughout his time in Singapore. From his composed entry into the playing hall to his calm demeanor at the chessboard, his preparation has been meticulous. In contrast, his opponent Ding Liren often glanced at Gukesh during games, possibly trying to decode his inscrutable expressions. Gukesh's discipline extended beyond the game, as he minimized his use of social media and the internet during the tournament.

Gukesh's coach Vishnu once described his singular dedication to chess, even at a young age. “He was more serious than his peers. He was obsessive, thinking of nothing but becoming No. 1,” he said. This obsession has shaped Gukesh into a risk-taker with exceptional calculation skills, appearing almost machine-like in his precision.

Despite setbacks like a loss in the opening game and another in game 11 after taking the lead, Gukesh rebounded by showing resilience and readiness to fight. He even declined draw offers, showcasing bold optimism and determination to push for victory. While Ding Liren appeared hesitant to capitalize on his advantages, Gukesh’s aggressive and fearless play secured his championship win.

Gukesh’s achievements have already etched his name in history. He became India’s youngest grandmaster, narrowly missing the world record by just 17 days. He also became the youngest winner of the Candidates Tournament and ended Viswanathan Anand’s 36-year reign as India’s top-ranked player. What lies ahead for Gukesh remains unpredictable, but his meteoric rise has left the chess world in awe.