D Gukesh: Youngest Ever Winner of FIDE Candidates 2024

In a historic moment for Indian chess, D Gukesh, the 17-year-old Grandmaster (GM), emerged victorious in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024. His remarkable achievement not only secured his place in the annals of chess history but also earned him the opportunity to challenge for the World Chess Championship title against reigning champion, China’s Ding Liren.

The Journey of a Chess Prodigy

Gukesh’s chess journey began at the tender age of seven in his hometown of Chennai. Introduced to the game at school, he quickly displayed exceptional talent. Within six months of learning chess, he became a FIDE-rated player. His early successes included winning the U-9 Asian Schools Chess Championship in 2015, which also earned him the Candidate Master (CM) title.

Rapid Rise to Stardom

The young prodigy continued to make waves in the chess world. In 2018, he clinched the U-12 World Youth Chess Championship title. That same year, he secured an impressive five gold medals at the 2018 Asian Youth Chess Championships, dominating both individual and team formats in rapid, blitz, and classical chess.

Gukesh’s ascent didn’t stop there. In March 2018, he fulfilled the requirements for the International Master (IM) title. Just a few months later, in January 2019, he achieved the coveted title of Grandmaster (GM) at the age of 12 years, seven months, and 17 days. Although he missed out on being the youngest GM by a mere 17 days (a record held by Sergey Karjakin), Gukesh’s brilliance was undeniable.

Breaking Records and Crossing Milestones

Gukesh’s meteoric rise continued. At the 44th Chess Olympiad 2022 held in Chennai, he earned an individual gold medal by finishing with an impressive nine points out of eleven. His stellar performance also contributed to India’s bronze-medal finish. In the same year, he crossed the 2700 rating points mark, joining an elite group of players. His rating of 2726 made him the third-youngest player to achieve this milestone, following in the footsteps of Wei Yi and Alireza Firouzja.

But Gukesh didn’t stop there. He etched his name in chess history by becoming the youngest player to defeat Magnus Carlsen in the Aim Chess Rapid tournament—a feat that had eluded many seasoned players. His momentum carried into 2023, as he became the youngest-ever player to reach a rating of 2750. In doing so, he surpassed the legendary Viswanathan Anand as India’s top-ranked player after 37 years.

The Road to the World Championship

With the conclusion of the FIDE Circuit in December 2023, Gukesh secured his spot in the 2024 Candidates Tournament. His consistent performance and unwavering determination paid off, as he emerged as the winner after 14 rounds of intense competition. Now, he stands on the threshold of history, ready to face Ding Liren in the ultimate battle for the World Chess Championship.