Gutsy Gukesh realises childhood dream; becomes youngest world chess champion

SINGAPORE: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh on Thursday became the youngest world chess champion at 18 years after beating title-holder Ding Liren in the last game of a nerve-wracking showdown to herald a new era of dominance by the country’s chess players.

Taking forward the incredible legacy of the great Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh became only the second Indian to clinch the coveted prize after the iconic player, who owned the crown five times in his career.

After settling into “semi-retirement”, the 55-year-old Anand, incidentally, played a pivotal role in shaping Gukesh at his chess academy in Chennai.