Teenage chess sensation Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest chess player to be crowned world champion.

Dommaraju defeated China’s Ding Liren in Singapore on Thursday, December 12, 2024, to become the youngest chess champion in history at the age of 18.

The Indian chess star displayed class in the 14-round game to win (7.5-6.5) and take home the $2.5 million prize.

With this win, Gukesh Dommaraju broke the record for the youngest chess champion, previously held by Garry Kasparov of Russia, who won the title at the age of 22 in 1985.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Dommaraju’s “remarkable achievement” and noted that it is proof of his extraordinary talent, perseverance, and commitment.

“His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Gukesh Dommaraju became a chess grandmaster at the tender age of 12 and entered the championship as the youngest contender.

He is only the second Indian to be crowned the world chess champion after Viswanathan Anand, who has mentored him.

In a post on X, Anand described Dommaraju’s win as “a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and for me, a very personal moment of pride.”