In a historic moment for Indian chess, 17-year-old Grandmaster (GM) D Gukesh clinched victory at the FIDE Candidates tournament in Toronto, becoming the youngest winner in the event’s history. His triumph not only secured his position as the tournament’s youngest victor but also marked a significant milestone as he became only the second Indian to qualify for a World Championship final, following in the footsteps of his mentor and five-time World champion, Viswanathan Anand.
Hailing from Chennai, Gukesh embarked on his chess journey at the tender age of seven, introduced to the game during his school days. Within a remarkably short span of six months, he earned the distinction of becoming a FIDE-rated player, setting the stage for his meteoric rise in the chess world.
Gukesh’s stellar performance on the international stage began with a victory at the U-9 Asian Schools Chess Championship in 2015, where he also attained the Candidate Master (CM) title. His exceptional talent continued to shine as he secured the U-12 World Youth Chess Championship title in 2018, cementing his status as one of the game’s brightest prospects.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Gukesh showcased his prowess by clinching an impressive five gold medals at the 2018 Asian Youth Chess Championships across various formats, including rapid, blitz, and classical events.
The young prodigy’s ascent to the pinnacle of chess was further underscored by his attainment of the International Master (IM) title in March 2018. Just a year later, in January 2019, Gukesh etched his name in the annals of chess history by becoming the second youngest GM at the age of 12 years, seven months, and 17 days, narrowly missing out on breaking Sergey Karjakin’s record by a mere 17 days. However, despite being surpassed by Abhimanyu Mishra thereafter, Gukesh’s remarkable achievements continued to captivate the chess world.
Gukesh’s stellar performances continued to dazzle audiences worldwide, with standout moments including his stellar showing at the 44th Chess Olympiad 2022 in Chennai, where he secured an individual gold medal and played a pivotal role in leading India to a bronze-medal finish. Moreover, in the same year, he joined the elite ranks of players with a rating surpassing 2700 points, a feat accomplished by only a select few at such a young age.
Notably, Gukesh made headlines by becoming the youngest player to defeat reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen at the Aim Chess Rapid tournament, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable force in the chess arena.
With his historic victory at the FIDE Candidates tournament, Gukesh now stands as the youngest challenger ever for the World Championship title. Should he emerge triumphant against reigning champion Ding Liren, Gukesh will etch his name in the annals of chess history as the youngest World Chess Champion, a testament to his extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to the game.
