17-Year-Old Gukesh Becomes Youngest Winner of Candidates Chess Tournament, Qualifies for World Chess Championship

Grandmaster D Gukesh, at just 17 years old, has made history by becoming the youngest winner of the prestigious Candidates tournament, solidifying his place as a rising star in the world of chess. His victory in this tournament grants him the opportunity to challenge China’s Ding Liren, the reigning world chess champion, for the world title later this year. This remarkable achievement makes Gukesh only the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to secure a win at the Candidates tournament.

Gukesh’s path to victory was thrilling and tense, culminating in him accumulating nine out of a possible 14 points. His final-round game, against American chess prodigy Hikaru Nakamura, ended in a draw, which was a crucial outcome for his overall success. The final results also depended on the match between Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia and top-seeded American Fabiano Caruana; if either of them had won, a tie-break would have been necessary, which could have altered the final standings. Fortunately for Gukesh, this game also ended in a draw, confirming his place as the winner.

Gukesh’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. He became the third youngest in chess history to earn the Grandmaster title at the age of 12, an extraordinary feat that set the stage for his future success. His career achievements include a silver medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, showcasing his competitive prowess and consistent performance at the highest levels of chess.

While the exact dates and venue for the upcoming World Chess Championship are yet to be finalized, Gukesh’s victory in the Candidates tournament has cemented his position as a formidable challenger to Ding Liren’s title. The chess world eagerly awaits this championship match, anticipating an intense and highly competitive battle between two of the brightest talents in the game.