D Gukesh, 18, of India, became the youngest-ever world champion on Thursday after beating reigning Chinese champions Ding Liren at the World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore. Gukesh won the world title with a stunning victory over Liren in the 14th and final game.
Gukesh earned the necessary 7.5 points to Liren’s 6.5 after winning the last classical time control game of the 14-game tournament, which seemed to be headed for a draw for the most part.
Prior to Gukesh’s success on Thursday, Russia’s great Garry Kasparov was the world’s youngest chess champion, defeating Anatoly Karpov at the age of 22 in 1985. The Indian teenager also acknowledged the assistance of his trainer and Paddy Upton in the buildup to the competition.
“Gayo was my trainer for the previous two years. Despite the fact that he is not on my side, Paddy Upton has been a tremendous supporter of mine as I prepare for the World Chess Championship. Radosław Wojtaszek is present. Pentala Harikrishna is also present,” he explained.
