At 17, Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh becomes youngest challenger for World Championship

Apr 22, 2024

Credit: PTI

D Gukesh wins Candidates

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has won the FIDE Candidates tournament after taking on American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in the 14th round of the Candidates tournament in Canada.

Credit: PTI

Becomes the youngest player to do so

17-year-old Gukesh has emerged as the youngest player to win the Candidates tournament, beating a four-decade-old record held by Garry Kasparov, who was 22 years old when he won the tournament in 1984.

Credit: BCCL

Second Indian player to win the Candidates tournament

Gukesh has become the second Indian player to win the FIDE Candidates tournament after Viswanathan Anand.

Credit: BCCL

Youngest challenger for the World Championship title

With this win, Gukesh has also become the youngest challenger for the World Championship title.

Credit: BCCL

To take on Ding Liren

Gukesh will compete with China’s Ding Liren for the World Championship title, becoming the only teenager to do so.

Credit: Wikipedia

Mentor Anand hails the win

Viswanathan Anand, who is Gukesh’s mentor at WACA congratulated the youngster for the win. Congratulations to D Gukesh for becoming the youngest challenger. “The WACA chess family is so proud of what you have done. I’m personally very proud of how you played and handled tough situations. Enjoy the moment.”

Credit: BCCL

Grandmaster at the age of 12

Gukesh had become a Grandmaster at the age of 12 years, the third youngest to achieve the feat.

Credit: BCCL

Gukesh becomes India’s top chess player

Gukesh has now become the country’s top-ranking chess player, emerging ahead of Erigaisi Arjun. He is now ranked 6th in the global rankings.

Credit: ANI

World Championship to be held later this year

The much-awaited World Championship where Gukesh will take on Ding Liren will be held later this year. The date and venue of the title will be announced in some time.

Credit: PTI