Gukesh, youngest world chess champion

Context

D. Gukesh, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, created history by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion by defeating China’s Ding Liren, breaking Garry Kasparov’s decades-long record.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Key Highlights:

  • Gukesh defeated defending champion Ding Liren after a nail-biting 58-move game, securing the required 7.5 points to claim the World Chess title.
  • It was held in Singapore from November 25 to December 12, 2024.
  • This was the first World Championship contested by two Asian players, and Gukesh is only the third Asian, after Viswanathan Anand and Ding, to achieve this feat.
  • Chess Olympiad Glory: Earlier, Gukesh played a pivotal role in India’s twin gold victories at the Budapest Chess Olympiad, where he claimed an individual gold on the top board.

About the World Chess Championship:

  • History: The first even was recognised in 1886 as a contest between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort.
  • Steinitz emerged as the first official World Chess Champion.
  • The event is being organized by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) since 1948.

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