The youngest chess world champion in history, D Gukesh, landed back in Chennai on Monday morning. He is scheduled to address the media at the airport before heading to his school, Vellamal International. Gukesh made headlines last week in Singapore by defeating reigning world champion Ding Liren, securing his place as the 18th world chess champion. The epic showdown lasted 14 games, with Ding initially taking the lead by winning the first game. Gukesh responded by leveling the series in game 3.
The next seven games ended in draws, keeping the tension high. Gukesh then won a game, but Ding equalised by winning the following round. In the final game, Gukesh capitalized on a mistake by Ding, where the Chinese Grandmaster misplayed his rook, leading to a blunder that cost him the game and his title. This victory not only earned Gukesh the championship but also made him the youngest player ever to hold the prestigious title. The dramatic match displayed his skill and resilience, cementing his place in chess history. As Gukesh returns home, fans eagerly await his arrival at Vellamal International to celebrate this monumental achievement.
Meanwhile, a controversy enveloped Gukesh’s win when former world champion Vladimir Kramnik strongly criticised Ding Liren’s crucial mistake in the World Chess Championship, calling it “childish.” Kramnik expressed his shock, saying, it is the “end of chess as we know it.” He said that a WC title has never been decided by such a “childish one-move blunder.” Kramnik, who is also the president of the Russian Chess Federation, even suggested the possibility that the error might have been deliberate, calling for an investigation into the incident.
Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), downplayed the controversy, focusing instead on the excitement of seeing players capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. He emphasised that this added to the drama of the match.
Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion, also voiced his dissatisfaction with the overall quality of play in the earlier rounds, comparing it to an open tournament. Carlsen remarked that it did not look like a game between two world championship contenders.
Despite the criticism, Gukesh’s victory made him the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, marking a new chapter in the sport’s history.