The Rise of Chess in India: Gukesh Dommaraju Becomes the Youngest World Chess Champion

by YOUxTalks | Dec 14, 2024 | Sports

India’s rise in the world of chess has been a remarkable journey, one that is closely tied to the achievements of legendary Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand. Anand’s 2000 World Chess Championship victory was a catalyst for the sport’s growth in India. He not only elevated the country’s standing in global chess but also inspired a generation of players.

Over the past few years, India has witnessed a surge in young, talented chess players making their mark on the international stage. Players like R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Gukesh Dommaraju are rising stars who have gained recognition for their exceptional performances. Their consistency and determination have set new benchmarks for Indian chess.

One of the most notable moments in recent chess history was Gukesh Dommaraju’s win, a victory that has captured global attention. His success marks a new chapter in India’s chess history. His win, along with his rise through the chess ranks, demonstrates the potential and dedication of India’s young chess talent.

The Chess Revolution in India

While India’s chess tradition goes back centuries, it is the post-Anand era that has truly transformed the game in the country. Chess has shifted from being a niche activity to a mainstream sport, with more schools and colleges offering chess programs. India has also embraced the growing online chess scene, with platforms like Chess.com and Lichess drawing thousands of new players from across the nation.

Tournaments like the Tata Steel Chess India event have become a focal point for chess fans, while sponsorship deals and media coverage have raised the profile of chess in India. With the government and private sector investing in chess development, India is steadily building a strong infrastructure for the sport.

Candidates Tournament 2024

The 2024 Candidates Tournament was an eight-player chess tournament, held to determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship 2024. The tournament took place at The Great Hall in Toronto, Canada, from April 3–22, 2024.

Gukesh Dommaraju won the tournament to win the right to challenge Ding for the World Championship, which made him the youngest ever winner of a Candidates Tournament, and the youngest ever World Chess Championship challenger.

Gukesh’s impressive journey in the tournament culminated in a final-round match against Hikaru Nakamura, where both players drew their game, but Gukesh’s 9-point total was enough to secure his victory. Gukesh finished ahead of Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi, both of whom scored 8.5 points each, making his win particularly significant in a field filled with experienced top-tier players like Fabiano Caruana, Alireza Firouzja, and others.

World Chess Championship 2024

The World Chess Championship 2024, officially known as the World Chess Championship 2024 presented by Google, was a chess match between the reigning world champion Ding Liren and the challenger Gukesh Dommaraju. Ding Liren won the 2023 World Chess Championship by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi, after reigning champion Magnus Carlsen declined to defend his title.

The match took place between 25 November and 12 December 2024 in Singapore. It was played to a best of 14 games, with tiebreaks if required.Ding won two games and Gukesh won three. The 14th and final game ended with Gukesh winning the game and match with the black pieces after Ding resigned following a blunder that allowed Gukesh to simplify the position to a king and pawn versus king endgame. The match was won by Gukesh 7½–6½ after 14 games.

The win made Gukesh the 18th undisputed World Champion and, at age 18, the youngest of them solidifying his place among the elite chess players globally.

The Future of Indian Chess

As the world watches, the Indian chess community remains focused on building a sustainable future for the sport. The rise of online training resources, chess academies, and global exposure ensures that India will continue to produce top-tier chess players.

Gukesh’s historic victory is a testament to the hard work and commitment of India’s chess players, coaches, and institutions. The young grandmaster’s performance, coupled with the growing interest in chess among Indian youth, promises to shape the future of the game both in India and globally.