In a now-viral video from seven years ago, an 11-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh confidently declared his ambition: “I want to become the youngest chess champion in the world.” Fast forward to Thursday, the teenage sensation has fulfilled that dream by defeating reigning world champion Ding Liren in a grueling three-week battle. At just 18, Gukesh surpassed Garry Kasparov to become the youngest chess champion in history.
The Road to Victory
Gukesh’s triumph was not without setbacks. He began the World Chess Championship in Singapore on the back foot, losing the first game. But his resilience and preparation shone through. As mind guru Paddy Upton noted, Gukesh had meticulously prepared for the championship, down to the smallest details.
The emotional moment that 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju became the 18th world chess champion pic.twitter.com/jRIZrYeyCF
— Chess.com (@chesscom) December 12, 2024
Despite facing another demoralizing loss in Game 11 after taking the lead, Gukesh rebounded with unwavering determination. Arriving early for Game 13, he declared, “I was ready for a fight,” and ultimately clinched the title.
The Making of a Champion
From a young age, Gukesh exhibited an obsession with chess. His youth coach, Grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna, recognized his exceptional drive early on. “Somehow he was always much more serious about chess than others in his age group, even at the age of 11,” Prasanna said. “He had a high level of desire. He would think about nothing else. It’s a certain obsession.”
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This single-minded dedication is evident in his playing style. Gukesh’s calculations on the board are described as almost machine-like, paired with a fearless approach that often sees him decline draws even in unfavorable positions.
The Psychological Edge
Throughout the championship, Gukesh’s inscrutability became his trademark. While his opponent Ding Liren occasionally appeared to seek approval or cues from his young rival, Gukesh maintained a stoic demeanor. His ability to remain emotionally detached and strategically focused gave him an edge in the high-stakes psychological warfare of the championship.
Gukesh’s victory adds him to an illustrious lineage of world champions that includes Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, and Magnus Carlsen. Yet, he stands out as the first teenager to achieve this feat.
Chess legend Susan Polgar, who predicted Gukesh’s meteoric rise years ago, believes his potential remains untapped. “He has the important intangibles rarely seen in young players this age. Some small tweaks in a few key areas and he can dominate for years to come,” she said.
India’s New Chess Icon
Gukesh’s journey has already been marked by historic achievements. He became India’s youngest grandmaster, narrowly missing the title of the world’s youngest by just 17 days. He’s also the youngest winner of the Candidates Tournament and the first Indian to dethrone Viswanathan Anand as the country’s top-ranked chess player in 36 years.
As Gukesh celebrates his world championship win, the chess world marvels at the prodigy who has redefined what’s possible for the next generation. With his remarkable talent and unrelenting drive, the future of chess seems firmly in his grasp.
