Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju, popularly known as Gukesh D, has made history by becoming the youngest player ever to win the men’s Candidates Tournament, setting him up for a world championship match against China’s reigning champion, Ding Liren. The 17-year-old grandmaster secured his title after a decisive draw against Hikaru Nakamura in Toronto, Canada.
Ranked 16th globally by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Gukesh’s victory has stirred excitement across India, with fans celebrating the rise of yet another young chess talent. If Gukesh succeeds in defeating Ding Liren at the 2024 World Chess Championship later this year, he will surpass Garry Kasparov’s record to become the youngest world chess champion at the age of 22.
Gukesh’s achievement is a milestone in the chess world, as he follows in the footsteps of legendary Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, becoming the second Indian ever to play in a world championship. The young prodigy remains focused on his upcoming preparations for the championship, aiming to complete what he considers only “halfway through” his journey in chess.