17-Year-Old Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju Wins Candidates Tournament, Becomes Youngest World Chess Championship Challenger

Gukesh Dommaraju, a 17-year-old Indian chess grandmaster, has made history by winning the prestigious Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Canada. With this victory, Gukesh has earned the right to challenge China's Ding Liren for the World Chess Championship title later this year, becoming the youngest player ever to do so.

Gukesh sealed the title with a comfortable draw against world number 3 Hikaru Nakamura in the final round. His triumph came after a suspenseful finish, as he had to wait for the result of the match between Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi. When their game ended in a draw, Gukesh's victory was confirmed, putting him on 9/14 points, ahead of Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, and Caruana who finished on 8.5/14.

The young Indian prodigy's achievement has broken a 40-year-old record previously held by Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov, who was 20 when he won the Candidates tournament in 1984. Gukesh's underdog victory at the tournament in Toronto, where he faced off against rivals almost double his age, has delighted chess enthusiasts around the world.

Why this matters: Gukesh's historic win marks a significant milestone for Indian chess and highlights the country's rising dominance in the sport. His success is expected to inspire a new generation of young chess players in India and beyond.

Gukesh's journey to the Candidates tournament was not without challenges. He almost didn't qualify, making the cut at the last minute thanks to a hurriedly organized event in Chennai. The moments before his victory were also filled with drama, as he had to wait for the outcome of the Caruana-Nepomniachtchi match.

The upcoming World Chess Championship match between Gukesh and Ding Liren is highly anticipated. Gukesh, known for his fearless and aggressive playing style, will face off against Ding, who is renowned for his calm and composed demeanor. Former women's world champion Susan Polgar believes Gukesh has a slight advantage over Ding, who has struggled with poor form recently.

Gukesh's historic triumph has been widely celebrated in India, with congratulations pouring in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised his "remarkable achievement" and "extraordinary talent and dedication

Key Takeaways

• 17-year-old Indian chess grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju wins Candidates Tournament
• Becomes youngest player ever to qualify for World Chess Championship title match
• Breaks 40-year-old record held by chess legend Garry Kasparov
• Gukesh's victory marks India's rising dominance in chess
• Highly anticipated World Championship match against China's Ding Liren