Sports Desk (Journalist File): Dommaraju Gukesh has made history by becoming the youngest-ever FIDE World Chess Champion at the age of 18. Gukesh clinched the coveted title after defeating reigning champion Ding Liren of China in the final match of the championship. In the decisive 14th round played on Thursday, Gukesh scored 7.5 points, edging past Ding’s 6.5 points to secure the victory.

This remarkable feat makes Gukesh only the second Indian to win the FIDE World Chess Championship, following Viswanathan Anand’s triumph in 2012. The tournament, held in Singapore, witnessed a fiercely contested battle between Gukesh and Ding Liren, culminating in a thrilling finale.

The penultimate 13th round on Wednesday saw a nail-biting encounter between the two grandmasters. The match, lasting nearly five hours, ended in a draw, with both players locked at 6.5 points after 68 moves. The championship was thus decided in the final classical game on Thursday, where Gukesh emerged victorious with a full-point lead.

Although Gukesh grew up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, his roots trace back to East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. His father, Dr. Rajinikanth, is a surgeon. Gukesh developed a keen interest in chess at the tender age of seven and has since amassed numerous accolades. He was recently recognized as the Asian Chess Federation’s Player of the Year 2023. At 18, he has now scaled the pinnacle of chess, solidifying his place among the game’s greats.