India, Dec. 14 -- D Gukesh emerged victorious in Singapore, defeating the reigning champion Ding Liren at the World Chess Championship on Thursday. This triumph established the Indian Grandmaster as the youngest world champion in history at the age of 18. The pivotal Game 14 commenced with both players on equal terms, as Liren endeavored to secure a tie-breaker. However, a significant error on Liren's part allowed Gukesh to clinch the match with a score of 7.5-6.5.

Following his victory, Gukesh was visibly emotional, shedding tears of joy. The achievement ignited a flurry of activity on social media, with fans extending their congratulations. However, former world champion Vladimir Kramnik criticized the match on X, describing it as the 'end of chess as we know it' and expressing dissatisfaction with its quality. He characterized Liren's mistake as 'childish.' Additionally, Magnus Carlsen appeared to echo Kramnik's sentiments, expressing his disappointment with the match's standard, likening it to 'a second or third-round match of an open tournament.'

Gukesh was inquired about whether he felt affected by Carlsen's remarks, and he offered a distinct viewpoint. In an interview with BBC World, he stated, "Not really."

He acknowledged that the quality of play in some games may not have been optimal, but he emphasized that world championship matches are determined not solely by chess skills, but also by the strength of character and willpower exhibited by the players. He expressed confidence in having demonstrated these qualities effectively.

Gukesh noted that, although the overall quality of the match did not meet his expectations, he was able to perform well during crucial moments. "The chess aspect was not at the level I would have preferred, as this was a new experience for me. The demands and pressures were different," he explained.

"Understandably, I may have been slightly off, but I succeeded in capitalizing on critical moments, which I find gratifying," he remarked.

Despite the critiques from Carlsen and Kramnik, Gukesh received encouragement from Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand. Gukesh was officially recognized by FIDE on Friday in Singapore, where he was crowned as the world champion.

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