Gukesh defeats Ding Liren, becomes youngest-ever World Chess Champion

The 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster Gukesh D scripted history as he was crowned as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. He defeated Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren in the 14th game of the World Chess Championship 2024 at the Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.

The World Chess Championship’s final scores read 7.5-6.5 in Gukesh favor. The reigning champion Ding Liren made a blunder in the endgame, which was dragged into the fifth hour. It seemed like the final was moving into a tie-breaker. However, Gukesh had other plans.

The Indian GM constantly asked questions off Ding Liren, who was trailing on the clock. Ding surrendered in the 55th move, raising the white flag. Eventually, Gukesh capitalized on Ding's blunder and secured the World Chess Championship title.

Gukesh was seen teary-eyed after the winning moments of the final. He went on to surpass Garry Kasparov, who defeated fellow Russian GM Anatoly Karpov, in 1985 as a 22-year-old to win the World Chess Championship.

Notably, Gukesh is the second Indian after legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the global title. Anand had last won the title in 2012.

Earlier, Ding Liren bagged a win in Game 1, while Gukesh snatched a victory in Game 3. Games 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 13 ended in a draw. Subsequently, in Game 11, Gukesh made a comeback to bag a win. Meanwhile, Ding Liren secured a win in Game 12.

World Chess Championship 2024: Results

Monday, November 25

Game 1: Ding Liren defeated Gukesh

Tuesday, November 26

Game 2: Draw

Wednesday, November 27

Game 3: Gukesh defeated Ding Liren

Thursday, November 28

Rest Day

Friday, November 29

Game 4: Draw

Saturday, November 30

Game 5: Draw

Sunday, December 1

Game 6: Draw

Monday, December 2

Rest Day

Tuesday, December 3

Game 7: Draw

Wednesday, December 4

Game 8: Draw

Thursday, December 5

Game 9: Draw

Friday, December 6

Rest Day

Saturday, December 7

Game 10: Draw

Sunday, December 8

Game 11: Gukesh defeated Ding Liren

Monday, December 9

Game 12: Ding Liren defeated Gukesh

Tuesday, December 10

Rest Day

Wednesday, December 11

Game 13: Draw

Thursday, December 12

Game 14: Gukesh defeated Ding Liren