Sports News: In a historic moment for chess, 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh has made headlines by defeating Chinese GM Ding Liren in the final Game 14 of the World Chess Championship, becoming the youngest world champion in the sports history. This monumental victory not only marks Gukesh as the 18th world champion but also makes him the second Indian to achieve this title, following the legendary Viswanathan Anand.A Tense Final BattleThe championship match unfolded over 14 intense games, culminating in a dramatic showdown where both competitors entered the final game with an equal score of 6.5 points each. With everything on the line, Gukesh and Ding were poised for a fierce battle. Ding, playing with the white pieces, opted for a reverse Grunfeld opening instead of his usual London system, indicating his determination to avoid a draw at all costs.CONGRATULATIONS TO GUKESH, THE NEW WORLD CHAMPION 🏆 The 18-year-old Indian star has defeated the reigning champion, Ding Liren, to become the youngest-ever undisputed classical chess world champion. Wow! 🇮🇳 The Emotional moment 🫡 pic.twitter.com/KcNbZ7kyH7— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) December 12, 2024Gukesh responded with confidence, skillfully maneuvering his pieces and creating an asymmetrical pawn structure that intrigued left commentators. The early moves set the stage for a complex middlegame, where both players exchanged pressure and attempted to outwit each other. Ding introduced several traps to challenge Gukesh, but the young challenger maintained his composure and control.The Turning PointAs the game progressed into the endgame phase, both players traded rooks and queens, leading to a tense rook-bishop endgame. Gukeshs relentless pursuit of victory kept Ding on edge, forcing him to manage his time carefully. With less than ten minutes remaining on his clock compared to Gukeshs comfortable hour, Ding faced mounting pressure.In a critical moment, Ding made a blunder while battling against time, allowing Gukesh to capitalize on the mistake and secure his historic win. The final score of 7.5-6.5 not only crowned Gukesh as the youngest world champion at just 18 years and 8 months but also marked a significant shift in chess history.THE EMOTIONS...!!! 🥹❤️- 18 Year Old Gukesh Dommaraju creating history by becoming the youngest ever champion. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/LVkA8JMKM1— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 12, 2024A New Era in ChessGukeshs victory has drawn comparisons to legendary figures in chess history, including Garry Kasparov, who previously held the record for being the youngest world champion at 22 years old. With this win, Gukesh has solidified his place among chess royalty and inspired a new generation of players.Reflecting on his journey, Gukesh has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and focus throughout his career. His triumph at such a young age serves as a testament to his talent and hard work in a sport that demands both mental acuity and strategic foresight. As he celebrates this remarkable achievement, Gukesh is poised to continue making waves in the chess world, with many experts predicting an even brighter future ahead.
