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In a historic moment for Indian chess, teenage sensation Gukesh D has etched his name in the annals of the game by clinching victory in the prestigious Candidates tournament, thereby becoming the youngest ever winner of the event. Gukesh achieved this milestone after holding American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura to a draw in the decisive final round, marking the culmination of 14 rounds of intense competition over three weeks.
Gukesh’s path to victory hinged on the outcome of the Fabiano Caruana-Ian Nepomniachtchi clash. However, the draw between the two players sealed the Indian prodigy’s triumph, catapulting him into the limelight as only the second Indian to qualify for the World Championship final, following in the footsteps of the legendary Viswanathan Anand.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Gukesh acknowledged the unique challenges posed by his age but emphasized the advantages of youthful energy and focus. Despite the lack of experience, the 17-year-old prodigy displayed maturity beyond his years, exuding confidence and composure ahead of the final showdown against China’s Ding Liren later this year.
Gukesh’s journey to the top of the chess world has been nothing short of extraordinary. Initially not considered among the title favorites, the young grandmaster showcased his prowess by securing five wins and suffering only one defeat throughout the grueling tournament, underscoring his remarkable talent and determination.
In parallel with Gukesh’s historic victory, Tan Zhongyi emerged triumphant in the Women’s Candidates tournament, setting the stage for a showdown against Ju Wenjun in the Women’s World Championship. Additionally, notable performances were witnessed from R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, R Vaishali, and Humpy Koneru, further highlighting India’s burgeoning presence on the global chess stage.
