In Toronto, 17-year-old D. Gukesh won the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2024, marking a momentous chess event for India. This amazing feat not only got him into the World Chess Championship match, but it also made chess history.
Gukesh's rise as a chess player
It was clear right away that Gukesh was a chess genius. The young man became the third youngest Grandmaster in chess history when he reached the prestigious rank of Grandmaster. Gukesh came into the Toronto tournament with high hopes but wasn't exactly seen as the favourite. He had a string of great performances, including winning a silver medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
A Round-by-Round Analysis of "A Tournament of Triumph"
The 14-round Candidates Chess Tournament was a nail-biting spectacle. Here's a breakdown of Gukesh's journey:
- Rounds 1-4: The initial rounds saw Gukesh secure a vital win over compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa and hold his own against established names like Ian Nepomniachtchi.
- Rounds 5-7: Gukesh shared the lead with Nepomniachtchi after defeating Abasov and Firouzja. However, a loss to Firouzja in round seven meant Nepomniachtchi took the sole lead going into the second half.
- Rounds 8-11: Gukesh bounced back with a win against Vidit Gujrathi, regaining joint leadership with Nepomniachtchi. He maintained his position despite draws against Nepomniachtchi and Caruana.
- Rounds 12-13: A crucial win over Firouzja and Nepomniachtchi's draw with Nakamura put Gukesh in a half-point lead entering the final round.
- Round 14: Gukesh secured the historic victory with a draw against Nakamura, capitalizing on draws in the other top-tier matches.
More than just a win: significance and impact
In addition to the win itself, Gukesh has done great things. It's very important for these reasons:
- Gukesh broke Garry Kasparov's record from 40 years ago to become the youngest person to compete for the World Championship.
- First Teenage Champion: He is the first teen to ever win the Candidates, which shows how talented and smart he is.
- Anand was the first Indian to win the Candidates tournament in 2014, and Gukesh is the second Indian to do so since then. This win makes India love chess again and gives hope to future generations.
The way forward: Gupta vs. Ding Liren
Gukesh's next opponent is the current World Champion, Ding Liren of China. Later this year, the important match will pit young talent against old knowledge.
A new era of chess is coming
With his win, Gukesh starts a new era in chess history. Because of his great skill and ability to stay cool under pressure, he could become a world champion in the future. People who play chess can't wait to see what he does next and how he changes the game over time.
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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