Gukesh becomes youngest ever challenger for world title

In Chess, 17-year-old Indian prodigy, Dommaraju Gukesh made history as the youngest-ever player to win the FIDE Candidates tournament in Toronto. In the final round on Sunday night, Gukesh held fellow title contender Hikaru Nakamura of USA to a draw with black pieces but his fate was sealed on the other board where Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana battled for 109 moves before agreeing to a draw.Gukesh became the youngest-ever Candidates Tournament champion, beating Garry Kasparov’s record, who was 20 years of age when he won this tournament in 1984. Gukesh also won a cash award of 88,500 Euros (approx Rs 78.5 lakh). The total prize fund of the Candidates was 5,00,000 Euros.
After Vishwanathan Anand, he becomes the second Indian to qualify for the World Chess Championship. With this amazing victory, Gukesh will challenge the reigning Champion Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship match.In the other games of the day, Praggnanandhaa defeated Nijat Abasov while Vidit Gujrathi agreed to a draw against Alireza after barely five minutes at the board.

In the women’s section, Vaishali Rameshbabu defeated Kateryna Lagno for her fifth win in a row after four successive losses. Humpy Koneru defeated Lei Tingjie.In the women’s Candidates event, Chinese player Tan Zhongyi was crowned the winner. She will take on compatriot Ju Wenjun in the Women’s World Championship.

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 concluded yesterday in Toronto, Canada after a thrilling last round which determined the Challengers of the next World Chess… pic.twitter.com/DATMvdUrDt

— European Chess Union (@ECUonline) April 22, 2024