India, Dec. 13 -- Former world champion Magnus Carlsen has expressed that the crowning of 18-year-old D Gukesh as the youngest undisputed world chess champion marks a significant milestone in the realm of chess and may herald the onset of an intriguing era.

"This World Championship has been quite remarkable, filled with numerous captivating moments," remarked the five-time world champion on the Take Take Take app. "I believe Ding (Liren) had a genuine opportunity to secure victory, which contributes to the overall success of the event, given the compelling nature of the competition. The historical significance of Gukesh's triumph will likely resonate more than the final match itself. Future generations will regard this as a crucial turning point and possibly the beginning of something truly fascinating."

Carlsen opted to forgo his world title, choosing not to defend it in 2022, thereby paving the way for Ding to face Ian Nepomniachtchi in the 2023 championship. He noted that he was deeply touched by Gukesh's emotional response following his victory, recognizing the intensity of the young Indian's aspiration to become a world champion.

"There are undoubtedly many more achievements ahead, and it is heartening to witness the profound significance this title holds for Gukesh. I cannot say I ever shared the same dream as he does, so it did not carry the same weight for me. I wished for it, but I never perceived it in the manner he articulates, making it a truly beautiful moment."

Gukesh's remarkable journey—from nearly missing the Candidates tournament to becoming its youngest winner at 17, and now the world champion at 18—has been nothing short of extraordinary. Ding entered the match following a period of poor performance and was considered the underdog.

Carlsen remarked, "Ding indeed elevated his performance during this match. However, despite our expectations for Gukesh to excel even further, it appears he experienced both commendable moments and some significant lapses. Nevertheless, I believe he is a worthy victor, particularly when considering his journey to this point. He faced challenges in the FIDE circuit, yet he triumphed in the tournament in Chennai, which was crucial for his advancement. His remarkable performance in the Candidates tournament was noteworthy, as he delivered one of the finest tournaments we have witnessed in recent years and excelled at the Olympiad. Overall, his achievements are highly impressive, even if the conclusion of this match was perhaps less convincing than anticipated."

When asked about Gukesh's potential to become one of the greatest players, Carlsen suggested that it is "a bit premature" to make such a claim. He noted that the two-year gap before Gukesh must defend his title is beneficial for him. Carlsen expressed that if Gukesh had faced opponents like Fabiano Caruana or Hikaru Nakamura in this match and performed similarly, he would likely have encountered significant challenges. Winning this Championship is undoubtedly a strong motivator, and there is a considerable possibility that Gukesh will achieve an impressive streak of results moving forward. He may even position himself as the second-best player in the world, and potentially, in the not-so-distant future, the top player. This entire scenario will be fascinating to observe.

Former world champion Garry Kasparov, whose record as the youngest undisputed world champion has now been surpassed by Gukesh, remarked: "Gukesh has impressively overcome every challenge and opponent in his way, particularly given his age, and there is nothing more to ask of him. My views on the historical lineage of the world championship with Magnus are well-documented, but that is not the focus today." Before the match, Kasparov expressed that the contest between Ding and Gukesh should not be regarded as a World Championship since the top player, Carlsen, was absent.

Meanwhile, his contemporary and fellow world champion Vladimir Kramnik described Gukesh's victory following Ding's blunder as the "end of chess as we know it." In response, Kasparov questioned, "Which world championship, or world champion, has been free of blunders?" He reflected on his own experiences, recalling the double blunder in the Carlsen-Anand match of 2014, specifically the move g6. He noted that matches exert significant pressure. The level of play in this match was notably high, comparable to previous encounters. Ding demonstrated remarkable resilience, while Gukesh was exceptionally well-prepared, ultimately leading to the victory of the player who performed best. This triumph marks a remarkable year for India, complementing their dominance in the Olympiad, signalling a resurgence of chess in its birthplace, and heralding the era of 'Vishy's children.'

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