Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest FIDE World Chess Champion

1. Youngest World Champion:
   • Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest FIDE World Chess Champion at 18, defeating China’s Ding Liren in a dramatic 14-game match in Singapore.
2. Significant Records:
   • Surpassed Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest champion (Kasparov was 22).
   • Clinched the title after Ding blundered on move 55 in the final game.
3. Path to Victory:
   • Gukesh’s journey included winning the Candidates Tournament, which earned him the right to challenge Ding.
   • The 14-game championship saw both players trading wins before Gukesh triumphed.
4. Remarkable Career Milestones:
   • Became a Grandmaster at 12 years and 7 months.
   • Won individual gold medals in the 2022 Chennai Olympiad and 2024 Budapest Olympiad.
   • Led India to team bronze in 2022 and gold in 2024.
5. Support System:
   • Strongly backed by his parents, who paused their medical careers to support him.
   • Mentored by Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Champion.
   • Sponsored by Westbridge Capital and supported by Velammal Vidyalaya, his school.
6. Chess Ecosystem in India:
   • India boasts over 85 Grandmasters and 30,000 rated players, making it a global chess powerhouse.
   • Gukesh is a product of this robust system.
7. Personal Traits and Aspirations:
   • Balances chess with hobbies like meditation, swimming, and tennis.
   • Aims to become the world’s best player, surpassing Magnus Carlsen, and have a long career at the top.

Gukesh’s achievement underscores his extraordinary talent, resilience, and the strength of India’s chess ecosystem.