India on Thursday praised chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju after the 18-year-old became the youngest world champion with a thrilling final victory over China’s Ding Liren.
Gukesh surpassed a record set by Russia Gary Kasparovwho won the title at the age of 22, after pulling off a dramatic endgame in Singapore to be crowned champion.
Dommaraju burst into tears as the room erupted with cheers from the spectators, the BBC reported.
“I probably got so emotional because I didn’t really expect to win that position,” he said, according to Reuters news agency.
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He also became the second Indian, after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand, to retain the title.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes for what he described as a “historic and exemplary” achievement.
“Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable achievement. This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and relentless determination,” Modi wrote on social media.
“His triumph not only etched his name in the annals of chess history, but also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence. My best wishes for his future endeavors.”
Anand, who played the role of mentor during Gukesh’s remarkable journey, said the teenager had excelled.
“Congratulations! It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and a very personal moment of pride for me,” Anand said on X.
Gukesh won the final match, which appeared to be heading for a draw that would have necessitated further tiebreak matches, after pounced on a blunder from Ding.
“Ding seemed to have a risk-free chance to win, but ended up in a pawn-down endgame instead,” Chess.com wrote in its post-game summary, according to the BBC. “It should have been signed, but Ding blundered when the pressure increased.”
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Indian sports shooter and Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra said the teenager has ‘inspired a generation’.
“Your brilliance, determination and grace under pressure have made the entire nation proud,” Bindra said.
“You not only won a title, but inspired a generation to dream big. I wish you even more success!”
Born the son of a doctor father and microbiologist mother in the southern Indian city of Chennai, Gukesh became India’s youngest grandmaster at the age of twelve years, seven months and seventeen days, and one of the youngest in the history of the game.
He reached the world championship by becoming the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Candidates Tournament in April.
