Official announcements from the Government of India

18-Year-Old Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Chess Champion After Game 14 Win Over Ding Liren in Singapore

Dec 13, 2024, 03:58 AM

Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, has become the youngest world chess champion in history after defeating China's Ding Liren in Game 14 of the World Chess Championship held in Singapore. The victory, achieved in a three-week battle, surpasses Garry Kasparov's record, making Gukesh four years younger than Kasparov was when he claimed the title in 1985. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gukesh on his "historic and exemplary" achievement. Former world champion Viswanathan Anand led the tributes, sharing a throwback picture with Gukesh and praising his victory. Gukesh's childhood coach, Vishnu Prasanna, spoke about his journey to becoming the world's youngest chess champion. Gukesh's sponsor, WestBridge Capital's Sandeep Singhal, praised the young grandmaster and predicted that India will dominate chess for years to come.