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Top Photo: Gukesh Dommaraju Photo credit: FIDE photo

Gukesh Dommaraju recently became the youngest-ever UNDISPUTED classical chess world champion—and he’s only 18 years old!

In the final game, Gukesh defeated the previous classical chess world champion, Ding Liren, in Singapore on Dec. 12. The intense match lasted nearly three weeks and involved 14 games.

This isn’t the first time Gukesh has accomplished impressive landmarks in chess. He became India’s youngest grandmaster when he was only 12 years old. Earlier this year, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Candidates Tournament. That win secured his entry into the recent world championship.

Gukesh returned home to a huge celebration and has found support throughout India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement “his triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also INSPIRED millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence.”

CHESS CHAMP FACTS

• Gukesh Dommaraju's age: 18

• Number of classical world champions: 18

• First World Chess Championship played: 1886

It’s fitting that Gukesh has brought so much attention back to chess in India—the earliest form of the game that resembles what we know as chess dates back to India in the sixth century! The predecessor to our modern game was called chaturanga or catur, and it was played with pieces that are similar to those we use today. The game gained popularity and spread around the world. By the 1800s, chess was common in Europe. The first international chess tournament was played in London in 1851, and the first World Chess Championship was held in 1886.

Since 1886, there have been only 18 players to hold the title of classical world champion. This puts Gukesh in incredibly prestigious company, and he is aware of how rare his accomplishment is.

“My journey, it’s been since the time I started playing chess at 6½, 7 (years old). I’ve been dreaming about this moment for more than 10 years,” Gukesh said after his recent victory. “Every chess player wants to experience this moment and very few get the chance. To be one of them—I think the only way to explain it is I am living my dream.”

Edition: 
Phoenix
Tucson
Issue: 
2025 January