Indian star Gukesh created history on Thursday, December 12, 2024, in Singapore by defeating Ding Liren to become the youngest Chess World Champion. Gukesh pounced on a major blunder from the defending champion in a game that defied expectations.

Aged 18, Gukesh is the youngest world champion in history, beating a record previously held by Garry Kasparov, who won the title at the age of 22 in 1985. Magnus Carlsen was also crowned world champion at the same age in 2003.

Gukesh has become the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to win the title. Anand, India's first chess Grandmaster, won his first title in 2000 at the age of 31. He won the crown again in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012.

The match was one for the ages, as for the majority it was headed for a draw, and a tiebreak seemed imminent. However, Ding blundered in the 55th move, and Gukesh made no mistakes to seal the title. The 18-year-old was in tears as soon as he played the winning move to seal the crown.

The 14 matches saw both players in an intense contest after Ding won the first match and sealed a draw in the second. Gukesh made a strong comeback to win the third match before the two players engaged in seven consecutive draws.

Gukesh broke the deadlock by winning the 11th game and took the lead, but it did not last long as Ding made a strong comeback to win the 12th match. The 13th game finished in a draw to set up a dramatic decider in the 14th match.

Ding's moves indicated that he was more than happy to settle for a draw and fancy his chances in the rapid tie-break and blitz. However, Gukesh seemed determined to seal the win, and his patience paid off in the most spectacular fashion.

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