Following his groundbreaking victory at the FIDE World Chess Championship, India’s rising chess star, D Gukesh, is celebrating his achievement in grand fashion. The 18-year-old grandmaster triumphed in a dramatic Game 14 against China’s Ding Liren, securing wins in Games 3 and 11, and drawing with Black in Game 14 to clinch the prestigious title. This remarkable victory makes Gukesh the youngest World Chess Champion in history and only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve such a feat.
To mark this incredible achievement, Gukesh decided to celebrate with an adventurous experience in Singapore. He shared a video on social media with the caption “I did it!” showing himself gearing up for his first bungee jump at Sentosa Skypark. While feeling a little nervous, Gukesh expressed his excitement for the thrilling experience, saying, “Scared, but also excited. Upon his return to Chennai, Gukesh was given a hero’s welcome, with fans and reporters flocking to the airport to celebrate his victory.
Despite his youth, Gukesh has rapidly become one of India’s brightest stars, having played a key role in securing a gold medal for India’s chess team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, showcasing his exceptional skills on board one. Gukesh’s journey to the World Championship title was nothing short of spectacular. He entered the tournament as a contender after an impressive performance at the Candidates event, where he defeated some of the biggest names in chess.
The championship itself was a hard-fought contest, with Gukesh initially struggling before finding his rhythm. Between Games 4 and 10, seven consecutive games ended in draws. Despite a setback in Game 12 when Ding claimed a win, Gukesh remained calm and composed, taking the lead in Game 11 and drawing in Game 14. In the final game, Ding blundered in the endgame, leading to his resignation and allowing Gukesh to seal the victory with patience and tactical brilliance.
