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FIDE World Championship 2024 Crowns Gukesh D As The Youngest World Champion
Shikha Negi
Contributor
The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship crowned 18-year-old Gukesh D from India as the youngest World Chess Champion in history. Held at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, the event featured 14 classical games and a prize fund of $2.5 million. Gukesh defeated reigning champion Ding Liren of China with a final score of 7.5–6.5. Sponsored by Google, the championship was a historic celebration of chess and global unity.
The FIDE World Championship, regarded as the pinnacle of competitive chess, not only offers global prestige but also carries a substantial prize fund of $2.5 million, with the majority awarded to the new champion. This year’s match was a landmark event, being the first World Championship in 138 years to feature two contestants from Asia, showing the continent's rising dominance in the chess world.
The FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 began on 25 November 2024, with 18-year-old challenger Gukesh representing India against 31-year-old Ding Liren, the reigning World Champion from China. Gukesh, known for his rapid rise in the chess world, faced Ding, who brought vast experience and tactical depth to the match.
The FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 featured 14 classical games, with the winner being the first to score 7.5 points. The championship hosted at the luxurious Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and presented by Google, concluded with a historic victory for Dommaraju Gukesh of India, who defeated reigning champion Ding Liren of China with a 7.5–6.5 scoreline to become the youngest World Chess Champion in history.
Game 14: The decisive battle of strategy and precision
The 14th and final game of the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship took place on 13 December 2024, in the prestigious setting of Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. With everything at stake, the game began at 5 PM, marked by the ceremonial first move made by Professor Hsu Li Yang, a distinguished academic at the National University of Singapore and President of the Singapore Chess Federation. The atmosphere in the venue was charged with tension as both competitors prepared to battle for the ultimate title in chess.
Ding Liren, the reigning champion from China, opened the game with the Reti Opening (1.Nf3), which transitioned into a Reversed Grünfeld Defence. Known for his meticulous preparation, Ding aimed for a steady position to control the game. However, Gukesh D, the 18-year-old challenger from India, responded with a surprising and innovative move, 6…Ng-e7, breaking away from the traditional 6…Bc5. Commentators praised this bold choice as a testament to Gukesh’s creativity and preparation, with some calling it a turning point in the game’s dynamics.
Both players demonstrated extraordinary precision during the middle game, with their moves reflecting a near-perfect understanding of the position. Engine evaluations rated their play close to 100% accuracy, highlighting the intense mental duel on the board. Yet, a subtle but critical moment occurred on move 14, when Ding opted for 14.b3 instead of the stronger 14.Qe2, which would have given him a small but steady advantage. This allowed Gukesh to equalise the position, leading to a series of balanced exchanges. The game progressed to what seemed to be an inevitable drawn endgame, setting the stage for potential tiebreaks.
A fatal error changes history
As the game continued, both players maintained their composure until move 55, when Ding, under mounting time pressure, made a decisive blunder with 55.Rf2. This misstep opened the door for Gukesh, who immediately capitalised with 56…Bd5!, transitioning into a winning king and pawn endgame. The reigning champion fought valiantly but was forced to resign three moves later, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary match.
Reflecting on the decisive moment, Gukesh said: “At the first moment, I didn’t see that I was winning. When I realised that I was winning, it was the best moment of my life.”
Ding, ever gracious in defeat, acknowledged his mistake: “I was totally in shock when I realised I made a blunder. I think I played my best tournament of the year. It could be better, but considering yesterday’s lucky survival, it’s a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets.”
A momentous occasion for chess in Asia
This championship holds profound significance not only for Gukesh but also for the broader chess community in Asia. At just 18 years of age, Gukesh has etched his name into the history books as the youngest ever FIDE World Chess Champion, breaking longstanding records. His achievement serves as a beacon of inspiration for young chess players worldwide, showcasing the potential of determination and talent.
In his victory speech, Gukesh expressed admiration for his opponent: “We all know who Ding is. He has been one of the best players in the world for several years. To see him struggling and the fight he gave shows what a true champion he is. For me, he is the real world champion.”
FIDE and Google: A new era of chess sponsorship
The 2024 Championship also marked a significant development for chess sponsorship, with Google serving as the title sponsor. This partnership underscores the growing recognition of chess as a global sport that bridges tradition and technology. The event attracted millions of viewers worldwide through live broadcasts on the FIDE YouTube channel, accompanied by expert commentary from Grandmasters and International Masters.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich commented: “Singapore is a beautiful location for anything, but for the World Championship in particular, as it combines all kinds of cultures. Chess is exactly about that, bringing the cultures together.”
The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship offered far more than just a match between two grandmasters; it was a celebration of chess, culture, and global unity. The event was enriched with side activities such as a lecture titled “How to Win a Game” by Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Managing Director of FIDE, which attracted chess enthusiasts from across the globe.
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