'Chess is coming back home' — those words aren't just a statement; they are a feeling shared by every Indian when Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest world champion. His victory at the FIDE World Chess Championship isn't just about personal glory; it's about India reclaiming their place as a superpower and taking back the throne as the rightful birthplace of chess. (More Chess News)
Gukesh wasn't kidding when he said, at just 8 years old, that he wanted to become the youngest world champion. Cut to ten years later, he did it. At 18, he became the youngest chess champion, defeating reigning World Champion Ding Liren of China in Game 14 of the FIDE World Chess Championship on Thursday, 12 December.
The checkmate is clear: Gukesh isn't alone in this domination plan, he's just one of many. Indian chess is in safe hands. D Gukesh's triumph at the FIDE World Chess Championship signals the dawn of a new era, and we're all here to witness it.
With the legacy of Viswanathan Anand, or as they call him, Vishy Sir, leading the way, we're about to watch Vishy's kids take the chess world by storm.
How Did Gukesh Become The Youngest World Chess Champion?
The 2024 World Chess Championship was a thrilling contest between two who could only be called evenly matched opponents. Ding, the reigning champion, struck first, winning the opening game. However, Gukesh quickly responded with a draw in the second game, followed by a crucial victory in the third.
For next seven long games, the two chess titans battled it out with their masterstrokes. After a string of consecutive draws came the turning point. In the eleventh game, our very own Chess prodigy seized the initiative, delivering a major blow. Ding fought back, winning the twelfth game to level the score. The tension was palpable as the final two games approached.
The thirteenth game also ended in a draw, leaving the fate of the championship to the final game and each of us holding our breath. The game 14 was a similar lore, with a 99% chance of a draw predicted by computer analysis.
However, a blunder by Ding on move 55 allowed Gukesh to capitalize and secure a decisive victory.
With this victory, Gukesh became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, breaking Garry Kasparov's long-standing record.
Ding blundered and surrendered, with the weight of the moment settling in. The victory was Gukesh's, the title was his. He celebrated, showing respect to his opponent.
The Indian prodigy trembled, tears welling up in his eyes as he set the board, arranging the pieces not just for himself, but for his opponent too. He was smiling and crying at the same time. In that moment, we guess he truly understood the heart of a champion, because he had just become one.
Who Is Gukesh Dommaraju? Let's Get To Know The Champion
Gukesh is a product of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. From a very young age, unlike many 18-year-olds, he understood the value of discipline and commitment.
This is why, even on the chessboard, Gukesh rarely sacrifices his pieces unless absolutely necessary. Every move, every decision, is a carefully calculated one, totally a reflection of his journey.
Raised by parents who put their careers on hold to support his dreams, Gukesh's story is not just his own; it's a story of love, sacrifice, and belief in something bigger.
His father, Dr Rajinikanth, an ENT surgeon, paused his practice to travel the world with Gukesh on a shoestring budget, chasing the final GM norm. Meanwhile, his mother, Padma, a microbiologist, became the family's primary breadwinner. Their sacrifices and the family's belief in his potential set the foundation for his extraordinary rise.
Morning shows the day, they say.
And Gukesh's talent was also clearly evident early on. At just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, he became the third youngest Grandmaster in history. Then, in the next episode of challenging his own achievements, he soon became the youngest player to surpass the 2750 Elo rating mark and the third youngest to join the exclusive 2700 Elo club, proving that his potential had no limits.
But the journey wasn’t easy. In 2022, Gukesh received opportunity from the Tamil Nadu Government, which organized a prestigious closed tournament that could qualify him for the Candidates.
A victory here not only earned him a spot in the Candidates’ Tournament but also maCandidates'third youngest player ever to qualify for this prestigious event, following in the footsteps of legends like Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen.
Despite such big feats, the reigning Chess World Champion remained without a sponsor, relying on prize money and the crowd-funding efforts of his parents to sustain his journey. And every bit of his hard work and his parents' sacrifices, paid off when he overtook his idol, Viswanathan Anand, to become India’s No. 1 player in 2023.
He built his legacy with stellar performances, including an individual gold medal at the 2022 Chess Olympiad, where he played on India’s top board. The same year, he became the youngest player ever to defeat Magnus in a game.
Gukesh’s rise would have been hard without the support of the Westbridge-Anand Chess Academy (WACA), which was founded by Viswanathan Anand in 2020. Anand’s guidance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has helped Gukesh refine his game, positioning him as one of the brightest chess stars of his generation.
In every move, Gukesh reflects the hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of those who helped him along the way. And as he continues his ascent in the world of chess, one thing is clear: the future of Indian chess is in very capable hands.
Homecoming Of Chess - India Reclaiming Its Own Sport
Indians are reclaiming every lost glory in sports, whether it’s winning Olympic medals in hockey or bringing chess back home. 2024 has been a landmark year for Indian chess, with a thrilling resurgence that showcases the country's growing dominance in the game.
Gukesh became the poster boy of modern Indian chess when he qualified for the World Chess Championship in April by winning the men’s Candidates Tournament of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
At just 17, he made history as the youngest player ever to win the prestigious tournament.
Gukesh's historic victory at the FIDE World Chess Championship captured global attention, as he reclaimed the title that was taken 11 years ago from his (Gukesh's) 'Vishy Sir.' However, he’s not alone in leading this charge.
On December 1, 2024, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi became the second Indian, after Anand, to reach an ELO rating of 2800, securing the fourth spot in the world rankings.
With these rising stars, India is rewriting the story of chess, and the world is witnessing its rise as a chess powerhouse once again.
The future of chess is looking Indian, and we’re not just saying it for the sake of it, we have the evidence to back it up.
At the Budapest Chess Olympiad, India proved that its golden generation of chess is here to stay. The Indian teams clinched gold in both the open and women’s sections, with individual gold medals going to Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agrawal.
The open team dominated, losing just once in 44 games, while the women’s team bounced back after a tough start to secure the top spot. The men’s team, led by GMs Gukesh, Arjun, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna triumphed with a 3.5-0.5 victory over Slovenia, finishing four points ahead of second-place USA.
In the women’s section, Team India claimed gold for the first time after narrowly missing out in 2022, defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 and securing the top spot when Kazakhstan drew with the U.S.
The real gold is in how both the men’s and women’s teams are excelling, proving India’s strength on every front.
A shining example of this talent is the sibling duo of Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali Rameshbabu. Their incredible skills show that chess talent runs deep in their family, with both making waves in the chess world, showcasing just how much talent can thrive in one home, India.
Now, Indian chess is not limited to just a few names. Recently, Anish Sarkar made headlines by becoming the youngest-ever FIDE-rated player. At just three years, eight months, and 19 days old, he achieved an impressive Elo rating of 1555, earning the title of the youngest FIDE-rated chess player.
Gukesh VS Ding - India Vs China
The 2024 World Chess Championship was historic in many ways.
For the first time, two grandmasters from Asia, India and China, faced off in the championship. Knowing the dynamics between the two nations, it was a landmark event beyond the chess world.
Many grandmasters predicted that this could mark the beginning of Indian dominance in the World Chess Championship. Some even envisioned an all-Indian showdown in the future.
The excitement around the match was palpable, with grandmasters from around the world weighing in, whether through post-match discussions, commentary, or social media. Even Magnus Carlsen was active, sharing his thoughts on the game, while legends like Susan Polgar, Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik also offered their insights and criticisms.
Almost every big name of chess was part of this face off. It was a truly global moment for the sport.
But does Gukesh's victory in front of so many people mean he's the best? Well, the world champion himself has a different take.
According to an Indian Express report, even in his crowning moment, Gukesh remained grounded. “My goal is to play at the top level for as long as possible. I have just started my journey. I want to have a very long career and stay at the top,” he shared.
But then, with humility, he added: “Becoming the world champion doesn’t mean I am the best player. Obviously, that is Magnus.”
But then, with humility, he added: “Becoming the world champion doesn’t mean I am the best player. Obviously, that is Magnus.”
Magnus closely followed the World Chess Championship and mentioned several times that those matches didn’t excite him much. Does this mean he shares Gukesh’s view?
Gukesh - The Global Chess Face
Gukesh became the poster boy of modern Indian chess right after he qualified for the World Chess Championship in April by winning the men’s Candidates Tournament of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
His answers were confident and composed, reflecting a grounded and calm personality.
At the end of the day, he’s just a boy who loves playing chess. What better way to be the global chess face, right? Defending the crown?
At the end of the day, he’s just a boy who loves playing chess. What better way to be the global chess face? Defending the crown?
It is important, but Gukesh isn’t worried about that right now. When asked about it, he simply said, "That is for me to think later, right now I am just soaking all this in." That brings us to the question.
When Is next World Chess Championship?
The World Chess Championship 2026 will determine the new World Chess Champion. It will be played between the defending champion Gukesh and a challenger, who will be the winner of the Candidates Tournament 2026. The dates are yet to be decided.
But who will be the challenger? It could be Magnus, or it could be an all-Indian thriller — we never know. With players like Arjun and Praggnanandhaa right there, the future of chess looks incredibly exciting and competitive.
But no major event is without its share of criticism, and the World Chess Championship was no exception. Despite some of the finest chess on display, Game 14 faced accusations of not being the best quality, with some even suggesting that mistakes were made deliberately.
The heaviest one came from the former world champion Kramnik, the Russian grandmaster went as far as calling the final ‘the end of chess as we know it.’
Amidst heavy criticism from former World Champions regarding the quality of the Gukesh vs Ding final in Singapore, the FIDE found itself addressing the concerns.
The 2024 edition of the World Championship marked a significant shift, breaking away from the long-standing chess rivalry and hegemony of the USA and the USSR (now Russia).
But now, the spotlight is on Asia, and it’s India’s time to dominate.
The rise of Indian Grandmasters marks the dawn of a new era, with India leading the charge in global chess.
The spotlight shines on the 18-year-old World Champion from Chennai, India’s chess capital. But behind this historic rise is the man who laid the foundation, Viswanathan Anand, the true architect of India's modern chess.
And Vishy's kids are doing what Indians are known for, they’re making the world their own. Today, India isn’t just participating in the global chess scene; it is shaping it.
This is more than a victory; it’s a golden homecoming for the game. Chess is returning to its roots, back where it was born, back where it belongs - India.
