Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion. Last week, he beat defending champion Ding Liren of China in the final match of their series in Singapore.
The new champ is just 18 years old. It’s impressive when young people, who usually have less experience than older folks, accomplish big feats. The Bible advises against thinking less of young believers. Instead, it instructs young people to be “an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
In the championship series, Dommaraju secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival. His title allowed him to surpass the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who won the title at the age of 22.
Most people have viewed the Indian teen prodigy as a rising star in the chess world. He became a chess grandmaster at 12. He entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.
Thursday’s match was a 14-round long-time classical (or “long chess”) event with a prize fund of $2.5 million.
After securing victory, Dommaraju burst into tears. He raised his arms in celebration.
“I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realized the dream into reality,” he told reporters.
Dommaraju is now the second Indian to win the title. The previous winner was five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand.
“It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India . . . and for me, a very personal moment of pride,” Anand wrote in a post on X. He has been a mentor to Dommaraju.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the teen on his “remarkable accomplishment.” He called it “the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work, and unwavering determination.”
“His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence,” Modi said in a post on X.
