India's chess sensation, 17-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh, has etched his name in history books, clinching victory in the Candidates Chess Tournament. This remarkable achievement crowns him as the youngest challenger ever to vie for the world title, surpassing the milestone set by the legendary Garry Kasparov four decades ago.
In a decisive final round, Gukesh secured a comfortable draw against American veteran Hikaru Nakamura, concluding the tournament with an impressive nine out of a possible 14 points. This stellar performance not only earned him the title but also paved his path to a showdown against reigning world champion Ding Liren of China later this year.
Hailing from Chennai, Gukesh shattered Kasparov's record by a significant margin, with the Russian icon qualifying for the title match at the age of 22 in 1984. Reflecting on his victory, an elated Gukesh expressed relief and joy, crediting a leisurely stroll with his second, Gregorz Gazevsky, for calming his nerves during the intense final rounds.
The young prodigy's triumph also comes with a substantial cash prize of 88,500 Euros (approximately Rs 78.5 lakh), out of the total prize fund of 5,00,000 Euros for the Candidates Tournament. Gukesh joins the esteemed ranks of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand as only the second Indian to claim victory in this prestigious event, following Anand's triumph in 2014.
Anand himself extended heartfelt congratulations to Gukesh, emphasizing his pride in the youngster's remarkable performance. With nerves of steel, Gukesh demonstrated his readiness for the grand stage, signaling his emergence as the next luminary in the world of chess.
In the crucial final match against Nakamura, Gukesh displayed strategic prowess, leaving no room for errors and securing the necessary draw to seal his victory. Despite Nakamura's attempts, Gukesh maintained control throughout the game, showcasing his maturity and composure under pressure.
As the chess world eagerly awaited the outcome of other matches, Gukesh remained focused, acknowledging the support of his team and expressing gratitude for their role in his success. The tournament witnessed tense moments as American contender Fabiano Caruana and Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi battled it out, with Caruana narrowly escaping defeat due to time pressure.
Ultimately, with Gukesh leading the pack with 9 points, the tournament's outcome rested on the performance of other contenders. Caruana, Nepomniachtchi, and Nakamura shared the second spot with identical scores of 8.5 points, while Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured a commendable fifth place with seven points.
With this historic victory, Gukesh adds another milestone to his burgeoning career, building on his previous achievements as one of the youngest Grandmasters in chess history. Looking ahead to the world championship, Gukesh remains focused on his strategy, eager to embark on the journey with determination and preparation.
Read also | Anand Mahindra Celebrates Chess Grandmaster Gukesh's Triumph: 'Mera Gaon, Mera Gukesh
