Toronto: In a remarkable feat of chess prowess, 17-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh etched his name in history books by clinching victory in the FIDE Candidates tournament on Monday, securing the title as the youngest-ever winner. Gukesh sealed his triumph after a drawn final round game against Hikaru Nakamura, accumulating an impressive tally of 9/14 points throughout the tournament.
His remarkable achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also positions him as the second Indian, following in the footsteps of the legendary Vishwanathan Anand, to clinch victory in the prestigious Candidates Tournament.
With this monumental win, Gukesh earns the opportunity to challenge the reigning World Champion, Ding Liren of China, in the upcoming World Chess Championship match. He now joins the esteemed ranks of Anand as one of India’s representatives in the pursuit of the Classical World Championship title.
Anand, who has himself secured the World Chess Championship title five times between 2000 and 2013, expressed his pride and admiration for Gukesh’s achievement, hailing him as a beacon of talent and resilience in the chess community.
The World Championship Match, comprising 14 games, will determine the ultimate victor. The contender who accumulates 7.5 points or more secures victory, with no further games played. In the event of a tie after 14 games, the winner will be determined by a tiebreak.
Gukesh’s remarkable journey to victory has garnered widespread acclaim and admiration within the chess fraternity, with his fellow competitors also delivering noteworthy performances in the final round. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa secured a decisive victory against Nijat Abasov, while Vidit Gujrathi held Alireza Firouzja to a draw.
In the women’s section of the tournament, Vaishali Rameshbabu showcased her prowess with a fifth consecutive win, defeating Kateryna Lagno, while Humpy Koneru emerged victorious against Lei Tingjie. Tan Zhongyi claimed victory in the FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament with an impressive score of 9/14, further highlighting the remarkable achievements witnessed in the realm of international chess.
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