After an intense 14-round battle in the World Chess Championship, the competition found its winner. The final game between D Gukesh and Ding Liren ended with a last-minute blunder in favour of the Indian. With the score level till 13 rounds, the title went to D Gukesh in the final moments of the 14th round. Gukesh didn’t believe when Liren made the blunder.
He’s only the second Indian after the great Vishwanathan Anand to become the World Chess Champion. Also he’s the youngest ever world chess champion, breaking the record of great Russian Chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov.
Ding’s blunder seals the fate
The game began with Ding playing confidently, opting for the Reversed Grünfeld opening. Both players exchanged pieces strategically, maintaining an equal position for most of the match. However, Ding’s critical blunder during the endgame allowed Gukesh to take control. Gukesh capitalised on the mistake with precise moves, leaving Ding no choice but to resign after 50 moves.
The decisive moment came in the 48th move when Gukesh’s rook and pawn advanced aggressively, forcing Ding into a defensive position. Ding attempted a comeback but miscalculated his move, which tilted the game firmly in Gukesh’s favour.
Game of patience and energy
Throughout the match, Gukesh demonstrated exceptional composure and strategic brilliance. Despite Ding offering a challenging middle game with a pawn sacrifice and rook trade, Gukesh navigated the complexities with poise. The Indian GM’s ability to maintain time pressure on Ding proved crucial, as the latter struggled to find the best responses in the final phase.
A New Era
At just 18 years of age, Gukesh’s victory marks the dawn of a new era in chess. With his historic achievement, he surpasses Sergey Karjakin’s record as the youngest World Chess Champion. Former Indian champion Viswanathan Anand lauded Gukesh, calling his victory a testament to India’s rising chess talents. For now, the chess world celebrates its newest and youngest champion.
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