In a historic achievement that will etch his name in the annals of chess history, 17-year-old Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju has emerged victorious in the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament, becoming the youngest player ever to win this prestigious event. After a grueling three-week battle, Gukesh’s draw against GM Hikaru Nakamura in the final round sealed his triumph, securing him a highly-coveted match against reigning world champion GM Ding Liren later this year.
Redefining Age Boundaries
Gukesh’s remarkable feat at the tender age of 17 has shattered numerous records. He surpassed the previous youngest Candidates winner by over three years, redefining the boundaries of what was thought possible for a player his age. Furthermore, his victory propels him to the top of India’s chess rankings and positions him as the seventh-highest-rated player globally, eclipsing the current world champion by a single rating point with a staggering 2847 performance.
Unprecedented All-Asian World Championship Clash
Gukesh’s triumph sets the stage for an unprecedented all-Asian world championship showdown, marking the first time in history that a world title match will not feature a European player. This monumental occasion underscores the rapidly shifting dynamics of the global chess landscape, with new powerhouses emerging to challenge traditional heavyweights.
Tan Zhongyi Secures Dominant Women’s Victory
In the 2024 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi reaffirmed her dominance, securing a convincing 1.5-point victory after leading the tournament from start to finish. Her triumph sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch against GM Ju Wenjun in the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship, a battle she narrowly lost in 2018.
Youngest Undisputed World Champion in Sight
While the world championship match has yet to be scheduled, it is certain to take place later this year. If Gukesh emerges victorious against Ding Liren, he will etch his name in history as the youngest undisputed world chess champion ever. It’s worth noting that GM Ruslan Ponomariov won the FIDE World Championship in 2002 at the age of 18, but during a time when the world title was split, with GMs Vladimir Kramnik and Garry Kasparov opting not to participate.
As the chess world eagerly awaits the upcoming world championship matches, the achievements of Gukesh and Tan Zhongyi stand as inspiring testaments to the boundless potential of human talent and determination. Their triumphs have not only rewritten record books but also ignited a newfound sense of excitement and anticipation for the future of chess on a global scale.
