Gukesh crowned World Chess Champion. 'I admire you. Thank you for amazing fight,' he tells Ding
D Gukesh of India defeated China's Ding Liren in the title clash in Singapore.
D Gukesh of India defeated China's Ding Liren in the title clash in Singapore.
D Gukesh of India defeated China's Ding Liren in the title clash in Singapore.
India's D Gukesh was crowned the 18th World Chess Champion on Friday. The 18-year-old was presented with the winner's medal and the trophy by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich at the closing ceremony in Singapore on Friday.
Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren (7.5-6.5) in a thrilling 14-game match on Thursday.
"This moment... it feels like I have lived this moment a million times," Gukesh said after receiving the trophy. "To live this moment is why I woke up every morning and did every little thing that I did so far. For me to actually be here and hold this trophy and experience this moment in reality, means more than anything else in my life.
"There were many ups and downs, many beautiful moments, many setbacks. But I wouldn't change a single thing that has happened in my life so far," said Gukesh, only the second men's world champion from India after five-time winner Viswanathan Anand (2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012).
Gukesh praised his opponent for the beautiful fight he gave. "I would also like to thank my opponent Ding Liren. He is, in my eyes, a true champion and we saw that despite a lot of pressure on him, he was able to put on a huge fight. This match just the show it was because of his fighting spirit. I really admire you, thank you for this amazing fight."
Gukesh thanked the people who matter most to him, starting with his parents, Rajnikanth and Padma Kumari. He then thanked his team for helping him prepare for the title. Gukesh thanked God and his school, Velammal, in Chennai. "My whole journey started with a summer camp at my school, Velammal," Gukesh said.
The teenager expressed his pride in playing for India. "Representing my country is one of the driving factors behind me," he said. Gukesh also expressed his gratitude to his fans. "It is only going to get more challenging. My goal is to have a very long career. There will be ups and downs, but with all of you by my side, I know that I can overcome many things. I hope we can continue this journey," he added.
Ding, who entered the contest as the reigning champion, was presented with the runner-up medal. He had defeated Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi at Astana in 2023. Gukesh earned his place in the title clash by winning the Candidate Tournament 2024, which is the qualifying event. He won the eight-player double round-robin tournament in Toronto in April.