History was made on Monday as 17-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh etched his name in the annals of chess, emerging as the youngest-ever victor of the FIDE Candidates tournament. In a tense final round encounter against Hikaru Nakamura, Gukesh secured a draw, clinching the title with a remarkable score of 9/14 points. With this achievement, he joins the ranks of legendary Indian player Vishwanathan Anand as only the second Indian to claim victory in the prestigious Candidates Tournament.
Gukesh's triumph propels him into the spotlight as he now prepares to challenge the reigning World Champion, Ding Liren of China, in the upcoming World Chess Championship match. Following in the footsteps of Anand, who held the title five times between 2000 and 2013, Gukesh aims to etch his name in chess history as the second Indian contender for the Classical World Championship title.
Anand himself extended his congratulations to Gukesh, acknowledging the young champion's remarkable performance and composure in challenging circumstances. The chess community celebrates Gukesh's achievement, recognizing the immense dedication and skill required to reach such heights at such a tender age.
In the final round clashes, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa displayed his prowess by defeating Nijat Abasov with the black pieces, while Vidit Gujrathi held Alireza Firouzja to a draw. Meanwhile, in the women's section, Vaishali Rameshbabu showcased her resilience with a fifth consecutive win, overcoming Kateryna Lagno, while Humpy Koneru emerged victorious against Lei Tingjie.
In the FIDE Women’s Candidates, Tan Zhongyi emerged triumphant with a stellar score of 9/14, further highlighting the depth of talent and competitiveness in the world of women's chess.
Read also | Rybakina Dominates Stuttgart: Secures Third WTA Title of the Season by Defeating Kostyuk
