Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju achieved a remarkable milestone on Thursday by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion in history at the age of 18. He triumphed over the reigning champion, Ding Liren of China, in a thrilling 14-game match held in Singapore. Gukesh clinched the title with an impressive victory in Game 14, winning with the black pieces after Ding made a critical error in a position that appeared favourable, concluding the match with a score of 7.5-6.5.

At 18 years old, Gukesh is four years younger than Garry Kasparov, who had held the record for the youngest world champion since 1985 when he defeated Anatoly Karpov.

In the decisive Game 14, Gukesh secured his victory after Ding faltered under the mounting pressure.

Below is a summary of all the games, including the scorelines and key developments:

Game 1: Ding Liren took the lead by defeating Gukesh in a tense opening match, establishing an early advantage in the 14-game series. The game lasted 42 moves, during which the Indian teenager struggled under Ding's initial pressure.

Game 2: Gukesh rebounded from his Game 1 loss, managing to hold Ding to a hard-fought draw with the black pieces, which brought the score to 1.5-0.5 in favour of the Chinese player.

Game 3: Gukesh showcased superior preparation and secured his first victory of the series, levelling the score at 1.5-1.5 after capitalizing on Ding’s passive strategy. Gukesh's preparation proved effective, while Liren's calculation fell short in this game.

Game 4: The fourth game concluded in a risk-free draw, leaving both players tied at 2 points each as the match continued to unfold evenly.

Game 5: Gukesh demonstrated remarkable resilience, achieving a draw with the white pieces, which maintained the score at 2.5 points for each player and set the stage for the pivotal upcoming rounds.

Game 6: The sixth match resulted in another hard-fought draw, with Gukesh successfully defending his position with the black pieces, ensuring the score remained tied at 3 points each.

Game 7: A lengthy encounter concluded in a draw after 5 hours and 22 minutes, leaving both Gukesh and Ding with 3.5 points, as they each required four additional points to secure the title.

Game 8: Gukesh managed to hold Ding to a fifth consecutive draw, resulting in a strategic stalemate, with both competitors sitting at 4 points each.

Game 9: The ninth match also ended in a draw, keeping both players at 4.5 points, as the contest for the championship remained tightly contested.

Game 10: The tenth round concluded with a draw, leaving both players at 5 points each, as Gukesh and Ding continued their closely matched rivalry.

Game 11: Gukesh achieved a significant 6-5 lead with a crucial victory in Game 11, taking a substantial step toward the World Championship with only three games left. The conclusion of the game was swift, as Liren, with just seven minutes remaining, blundered a piece on his 28th move and resigned immediately.

Game 12: Ding made a comeback to equalize the series by winning Game 12, bringing the match to a 6-6 tie after Gukesh had briefly held the lead.

Game 13: With both players tied at 6-6, Gukesh and Ding engaged in a tense draw after 68 moves, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the match.

Game 14: Gukesh clinched the title with a remarkable victory in the final game, taking advantage of Ding's error to secure the championship with a score of 7.5 points, which commentators described as a significant upset.

With a final score of 7.5-6.5, Gukesh's extraordinary journey culminated in a historic victory, establishing him as the youngest World Chess Champion ever.

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