Newly crowned world chess champion D Gukesh expressed that his victory on Thursday, December 12, is merely the beginning of what he envisions as a “very, very long and successful career.” The teenager from India made his ambitions clear, stating that he dreams of reaching the level of greatness exemplified by his idol, Magnus Carlsen.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh became the youngest-ever world chess champion by defeating the reigning title holder Ding Liren in Game 14 of the World Chess Championship in Singapore.
Gukesh’s strategic decision to prolong the endgame, even as Game 14 appeared destined for a draw, paid off when Ding cracked under time pressure. A crucial blunder on Ding’s 53rd move allowed Gukesh to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming world champion.
The young prodigy demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the championship, overcoming a loss in the opening game and showcasing exceptional skill and determination in the remaining 13 games. Gukesh clinched the match with a 7.5-6.5 scoreline, ending Ding’s hopes of retaining the crown.
Despite this monumental achievement, Gukesh humbly acknowledged that his journey to the pinnacle of chess is far from complete.
Speaking to the press with composure belying his age, Gukesh said the world championship title does not necessarily make him the best player in the world.
“This has always been a big part of my dream, a very big part of it. It’s a huge step for me. I am very happy for that. But, my goal has always been to be at the very top, for the longest time possible. My career is just starting. I have had 10 years. I want to play for as long as I can. I want to have a very, very long career and stay at the very, very top,” Gukesh said.
“Obviously, becoming the world champion doesn’t mean that I am the best player in the world. Obviously, there’s Magnus. So, it’s also a motivating factor that there is someone at the very, very high level and something that will keep me doing the right things and try to reach the level of greatness that Magnus has achieved,” he added.
Watch: Gukesh cries tears of joy
Magnus Carlsen, Gukesh’s idol, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of chess. Carlsen became the 16th undisputed World Chess Champion in 2013, defeating Viswanathan Anand, and went on to successfully defend his title in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021.
However, Carlsen chose not to defend his World Chess Championship title in 2023, citing a lack of motivation. He criticised the exhaustive preparation required, which he felt had become overly focused on opening theory at the expense of pure chess skills. Carlsen explained that the process of preparing for the championship no longer excited him.
DING LIREN IS A TRUE CHAMPION: D GUKESH
Meanwhile, Gukesh offered heartfelt words of appreciation for Ding Liren, who overcame personal and professional challenges to extend the championship match to its final game.
Ding, who had endured a difficult patch in his career leading up to the title match, faced widespread scepticism about his ability to defend his crown. Remarkably, when Ding defeated Gukesh in Game 1 on 25 November, he ended a 304-day drought of victories in classical chess.
“We all know who Ding is, and he has been one of the best players in history for several years. And to see him struggling and see how much he had to face. The kind of fight he gave in this match, it shows what a true champion he is. No matter who says what, for me, Ding is the real world champion. In this match, champions, they always step up to the moment,” Gukesh said.
“For the past two years, he hasn’t been in great shape. But, he came here. He was struggling during the game; he wasn’t at his best physically. He fought like a true champion. I am really sorry for Ding and his team. They put on a great, great show. I would like to thank my opponent. This couldn’t have been the same without my opponent,” he added.
After his historic win on Thursday, Gukesh momentarily dropped his trademark calm demeanour. Overcome with emotion, he flung his arms in joy before shedding tears of happiness and embracing his father, who had accompanied him to Singapore.
Published By:
Akshay Ramesh
Published On:
Dec 12, 2024
