India’s Gukesh D defeated Ding Liren of China in Game 14 of the 2024 World Chess Championship, becoming the youngest GM to win the 18th World Chess title.
Chess enthusiasts across the globe witnessed history on December 13, 2024, when 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju from India dethroned reigning champion Ding Liren of China in the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 at the beautiful Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. Gukesh qualified for the final by winning the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament and later made waves by leading India to a Team Gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Hungary. He was the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to reach the World Chess Championship final, thereby etching his name in history.
Gukesh D vs. Ding Liren: Game 14 Highlights
The championship match, held from November 25 to December 13, 2024, showcased a gripping contest between Gukesh, a prodigious young talent, and Ding Liren, a seasoned grandmaster. Both players exhibited exceptional skill and perseverance over the first 13 matches, with the score tied at 6.5 each before heading into the final game (14th Round) of the competition.
During the final round (Game 14th), after nearly five hours of play, it seemed that the match was heading toward a draw, making tie-breaks a likely scenario to determine this year’s champion. However, Ding made a critical blunder on move 55 (55.Rf2), which allowed Gukesh to exchange rooks favourably and gain a superior position in the match. Gukesh took advantage of this mistake, forcing Ding to resign and securing a 7.5-6.5 victory for the Indian grandmaster.
“I was totally in shock when I made a blunder—his facial expression showed he was very excited,” Ding admitted after the match, reflecting on his mistake. Gukesh, emotional yet composed, described the win as “the best moment of my life” and praised Ding’s resilience: “Ding Liren is a true champion who fights until the very end.”
FIDE World Chess Championship 2024: Gukesh vs Ding Score
The match unfolded with intense competition across 14 rounds. Here’s the round-by-round score summary:
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Ding Liren (ELO Rating: 2728) 1, ½, 0, ½, ½, ½, ½, ½, ½, ½, 0, 1, ½, 0 | Score: 6.5
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Gukesh D (ELO Rating: 2794) 0, ½, 1, ½, ½, ½, ½, ½, ½, ½, 1, 0, ½, 1 | Score: 7.5
2024 World Chess Championship Prize Money
Gukesh received a substantial cash prize after winning the 18th World Chess Championship title. The World Chess Championship 2024 prize money was $2.5 million (₹207.5 crore). Each match victory was worth $200,000 (₹16.6 crore). Gukesh earned $600,000 (₹49.8 crore) for winning three games. The remaining $1.5 million was divided equally between both players, with Gukesh receiving an additional $750,000 (₹62.3 crore), bringing his total to $1.35 million (₹112.1 crore). Ding earned $400,000 (₹33.2 crore) for two wins and $750,000 (₹62.3 crore), making his total $1.15 million (₹95.5 crore).
Historic Milestones for Gukesh Dommaraju
Gukesh’s victory has rewritten history. At 18, he became the youngest World Chess Champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he claimed the title in 1985. Gukesh is also only the second Indian to win the coveted title, following Viswanathan Anand. His triumph is a significant milestone for both Indian and global chess.
Breaking: Russian Chess Federation president accuses Ding Liren of losing on purpose to Gukesh D in the 2024 World Championship. Read More.
Social Media Reactions to Gukesh’s Historic Win
Celebrities and fans from around the world took to social media to celebrate Gukesh’s historic win. Here are some of those tweets congratulating him:
- FIDE’s Tweet:
The new World Champion… Gukesh D! 🇮🇳♟️🏆#DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/Y6tbl0CwPh
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 13, 2024
- PM Modi’s Tweet:
Historic and exemplary!
Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable accomplishment. 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… https://t.co/fOqqPZLQlr pic.twitter.com/Xa1kPaiHdg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2024
- Gary Kasparov’s Tweet:
My congratulations to @DGukesh on his victory today. He has summitted the highest peak of all: making his mother happy!
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 12, 2024
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- Viswanathan Anand’s Tweet:
Congratulations! It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India, a proud moment for WACA, and for me, a very personal moment of pride. Ding played a very exciting match and showed the champion he is.@FIDE_chess @WacaChess pic.twitter.com/o3hq26JFPf
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) December 12, 2024
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- Neeraj Chopra’s Tweet:
Congratulations, Gukesh! 👏
The best in the world and the youngest to ever do it. India is proud! 🇮🇳 https://t.co/PNfXVBf02R
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) December 12, 2024
Future Aspirations
Gukesh Dommaraju’s journey to the top is a testament to his dedication. Reflecting on his win, he expressed his ambition: “I want to reach the level of greatness that Magnus [Carlsen] has achieved.” This statement reveals the young champion’s determination to carve out a lasting legacy in the world of chess.
Gukesh’s victory in the 2024 World Chess Championship not only made him the youngest champion but also highlighted how India is gradually becoming a powerhouse in chess. The nation is cultivating a new generation of talented players, including Gukesh, the sibling duo of Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali, Arjun Eragaisi, and Divya Deshmukh, who are poised to shine on the global stage and inspire future generations.
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