Gukesh becomes the youngest world chess champion
On Friday, FIDE crowned 18-year-old D Gukesh the global chess champion. In addition to receiving the award, he was garlanded. FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich presented him with the World Championship trophy as he approached the platform draped in the Indian flag. He paused to examine the trophy after receiving it, then gave the applauding crowd an impassioned smile and posed for the cameras.
Then came his speech, the moment of his coronation. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone," he said during his remarks. I feel like I've mentally reenacted this scene a million times. This was the reason I woke up every morning and the reason I had done everything I had done up to that point. It means more to me than anything else in my life to be here, hold this trophy, and be able to experience this moment in reality. I'm happy to be among the select people who have the chance to experience this moment in their lives."
In Singapore on Thursday, Gukesh defeated defending champion Liren in the pivotal 14th game. Liren attempted to force a tie-breaker, but it was a see-saw battle from the beginning.
However, Gukesh saw that the Chinese Grandmaster had made a huge mistake in the 55th move, which sealed his doom. He was forced to step down after losing the World Chess Championship 6.5-7.5. Gukesh qualified to compete against Liren for the title after winning the Candidates tournament in April.
