GUWAHATI: 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest world champion ever on Thursday, December 12, by defeating reigning champion Ding Liren in the final game of the World Chess Championship. This achievement makes Gukesh the second Indian to claim the title, following Vishwanathan Anand.
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Entering the decisive game tied at 6.5 points each after 13 fiercely contested rounds, both players needed a win to secure the championship. Ding, with the white pieces, deviated from his usual London System, instead employing a reverse Grünfeld defence to signal his determination to fight for victory rather than settle for a draw.
Gukesh responded with equal intent, opening his files to activate his pieces. The game soon veered into uncharted territory, as the asymmetric pawn structure left databases without reference, setting the stage for an unpredictable and novel contest.
The game slowly transitioned into a rook-bishop endgame after a series of trades, with both players pushing the limits of their strategy. However, Gukesh’s unyielding pressure and precise endgame play left Ding flustered, forcing the champion to use up valuable time.
Ultimately, Gukesh capitalised on Ding’s exhaustion to claim victory.
