In a historic moment for Indian chess, 17-year-old Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju has etched his name in the annals of the game by clinching victory in the prestigious Candidates tournament, making him the youngest contender to challenge for the World Championships crown later this year. The talented teenager from India emerged triumphant as the sole leader after a captivating 14-round battle in the Candidates tournament held in Toronto, Canada.
Gukesh sealed his path to glory with a remarkable performance throughout the tournament, showcasing his exceptional skills and strategic prowess on the chessboard. His final-round match, played with black pieces against Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura of the USA, ended in a draw, securing his position at the top of the leaderboard. The tense showdown between Grandmasters Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi also concluded in a thrilling draw, further solidifying Gukesh’s victory.
With his victory in the Candidates tournament, Gukesh now earns the coveted opportunity to challenge reigning world champion Ding Liren for the ultimate title later this year. If successful, he will make history as the youngest world champion, surpassing the previous records set by legends like Magnus Carlsen and Garry Kasparov, who claimed the title at the age of 22.
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