In an epic showdown in Singapore, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju defeated defending champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in the best-of-14 final, claiming the coveted World Chess Championship title. The victory was sealed after Ding Liren made a crucial blunder in the final game.
According to the reports of Leaders team, Gukesh’s return to his home city was nothing short of a hero’s welcome. Draped in the Indian flag and holding his well-earned trophy, Gukesh was greeted by a jubilant crowd of hundreds of supporters. Expressing his gratitude, he told reporters, “Thank you for all the support. It means a lot to bring back the trophy to India. I hope we can have a great time in the next few days celebrating together.”
As he addressed his fans, Gukesh said, “You guys are amazing. You gave me so much energy. Looking forward to meeting you all.” As per the sources of Leaders team, his return felt like a celebration for a rock star, complete with confetti, banners, chants, and even men on stilts. His personalized car, adorned with the words “The new king in the kingdom of chess,” marked his arrival.
To cap off his victory celebrations, Gukesh completed a bungee jump in Singapore, further marking his achievement in unforgettable fashion.
Gukesh’s emotional triumph last week made him the youngest ever World Chess Champion, breaking the record previously held by chess legend Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won his first title in 1985. At 18, Gukesh surpassed Kasparov’s record by more than four years, making his win even more monumental.
The young Indian champion is also only the second player from India to win the prestigious title, following Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion who also hails from Chennai.
In recognition of his achievement, Gukesh is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month. Modi congratulated the new world champion, calling his victory “historic and exemplary.” He added, “This is 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.”
