Gukesh becomes 18th undisputed world chess champion at 18!

Ding collapses in the end(game)

Find below expert analyses by GM Daniel King and IM Robert Ris

In a stunning turn of events, Ding Liren blundered in a technical endgame during game 14 of the World Chess Championship in Singapore, handing victory to Gukesh Dommaraju. At just 18 years old, Gukesh becomes the youngest undisputed world chess champion in history, joining a prestigious list that includes legendary figures like Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen. Gukesh's triumph is a monumental moment for chess, marking the return of the title to India since Viswanathan Anand lost it to Carlsen in 2013.

This victory underscores India's meteoric rise as a chess powerhouse. The nation recently clinched the Chess Olympiad and now boasts 6 players (out of 30) rated above 2700. Reflecting on his achievement, Gukesh recalled being inspired by Anand and Carlsen during their 2013 match, a dream that drove his relentless pursuit of excellence:

I looked at Vishy Sir and Magnus [in 2013] and thought, it will be really cool to be there one day, and to actually be there and sit there and see the Indian flag next to me was probably the best moment.

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Gukesh revealed that while Anand was not officially part of his team, the former champion supported him throughout the match, including attending a training camp and providing remote assistance. Acknowledging Anand's enduring influence on Indian chess, Gukesh credited his parents, family and friends for making significant sacrifices, adding, "We both were crying" after his post-match call with his mother.

The new champion also disclosed his professional team, which included Polish grandmasters Grzegorz Gajewski, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Jan Klimkowski, Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna, German star Vincent Keymer and South African mental coach Paddy Upton. Gukesh's rapport with Gajewski, nicknamed "Gaju" within the team, was particularly instrumental in his preparation.

Looking ahead, Gukesh is expected to defend his title in 2026, though the chess world eagerly wonders if Magnus Carlsen, who remains the world number one, will return to challenge for the crown. Gukesh expressed his hope for a future encounter, saying:

It would be the toughest challenge there is in chess. I would love to test myself against the best player in the world.

Ding Liren playing white against Gukesh Dommaraju, the new world chess champion | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Ding Liren, the 17^th undisputed world champion, appeared heartbroken but reflective after the loss. He remarked:

I will continue to play. [...] Considering yesterday's lucky survive, it's a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets.

Gukesh, in turn, praised Ding's resilience, stating:

Ding Liren is the real inspiration to me. What I learned from Ding is what an incredible fighter he is. True champions fight until the very end.

The decisive game saw Ding playing with the white pieces, achieving a comfortable middlegame position. Opting for a pawn sacrifice to simplify into an endgame, the reigning champion appeared to be heading for a draw. However, the tide turned dramatically as Ding faltered in the technical phase.

The turning point came on move 55, when Ding's 55.Rf2 allowed Gukesh to force a winning pawn endgame. After 55...Rxf2 56.Kxf2 Bd5 57.Bxd5 Kxd5 58.Ke3 Ke5, Ding resigned, ending the match.

Gukesh's victory cements his place in history, while the chess world awaits what promises to be an extraordinary future for the young champion and further growth of chess in India.

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The world champion's emotional reaction after winning the title | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Gukesh D hugging his dad outside the playing hall | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Ding 0 - 1 Gukesh

Analysis by Johannes Fischer

Ding, Liren2728

0–1

Gukesh Dommaraju2783

GM

WCC Match 2024 Singapore12.12.2024[Johannes Fischer]

GM

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.d4 Ding signals readiness for battle and plays the Grünfeld with reversed colours. e6 5.0-0 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nge7 7.c4 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Nc6 9.Qd1 d4 10.e3 Bc5 11.exd4 After 11.Qh5!? Qb6 12.exd4 Bxd4 13.Nd2 with approximate equality, White could have sharpened the game, but Ding opts for a quieter continuation. 11...Bxd4 12.Nc3 0-0 13.Nb5 Bb6 14.b3 a6 15.Nc3 Bd4 16.Bb2 e5 17.Qd2 Be6 18.Nd5

White has achieved nothing out of the opening, and Black has equalised. 18...b5 19.cxb5 axb5 20.Nf4!? This leads to a brief tactical skirmish, but it changes nothing about the assessment of the position: equality! exf4 21.Bxc6 Bxb2 22.Qxb2 Rb8 23.Rfd1 Qb6 24.Bf3 Also possible was 24.Bd7 Rfd8 25.Bxe6 Qxe6 and the heavy-piece endgame can only be won by Black with substantial help from White. After, for example, 26.Qc3 Rxd1+ 27.Rxd1 Qe2 28.Qd2 Qxd2 29.Rxd2 fxg3 30.hxg3 White is no longer under any threat. 24...fxg3 25.hxg3 b4

26.a4? White has only one weakness, the pawn on a2. Ding is desperate to eliminate this weakness and is willing to accept an endgame with a pawn deficit, although it is objectively drawn. For example: 26.Rd4 could have maintained the tension and likely spared White a lot of trouble. After, for instance, Rfd8 27.Rad1 g6 28.Bd5 Bxd5 29.Rxd5 Rxd5 30.Rxd5 Black has no serious winning chances. 26...bxa3 27.Rxa3 g6 28.Qd4 Qb5

29.b4? Ding is eager to get rid of the b-pawn and force simplifications. However, this gives Black more winning chances than the position deserved. After 29.Rd3 the position remains balanced, and White should not lose. 29...Qxb4 30.Qxb4 Rxb4 31.Ra8 Rxa8 32.Bxa8

White is now a pawn down, but objectively the position should still be drawn. However, after this sequence, Gukesh can play for a win without risk and repeatedly pose problems for Ding. 32...g5 33.Bd5 Bf5 34.Rc1 Kg7 35.Rc7 Bg6 36.Rc4 Rb1+ 37.Kg2 Re1 38.Rb4 h5 39.Ra4 Re5 40.Bf3 Kh6 41.Kg1 Re6 42.Rc4 g4 43.Bd5 Rd6 44.Bb7 Kg5 45.f3 f5 46.fxg4 hxg4 47.Rb4 Bf7 48.Kf2 Rd2+ 49.Kg1 Kf6 50.Rb6+ Kg5 51.Rb4 Be6 52.Ra4 Rb2 53.Ba8 Kf6 54.Rf4 Ke5

55.Rf2?? Ding completely loses his composure – and the game and the match. After, for example, 55.Ra4 White should hold the draw with best play. 55...Rxf2! 56.Kxf2 Bd5 Black transitions into a pawn endgame, which is winning for him. 57.Bxd5 Kxd5 58.Ke3 Ke5 White resigned – he is in zugzwang. A possible continuation is 59.Kf2 Kd4 60.Ke2 Ke4 61.Kf2 Kd3 62.Kf1 Ke3 63.Kg2 Ke2 64.Kg1 Kf3 65.Kh2 Kf2 and Black captures the g-pawn. 0–1

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Game over | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

The final moments of the game

By ChessBase India

Expert analyses

Commentary by GM Daniel King

Commentary by IM Robert Ris

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Games

Schedule

Links

• Official website
• Two Knights Talk: Who will win the World Chess Championship match 2024?
• Ding Liren, the chess king from China who defies the odds
• Gukesh: From a school in Chennai to the world title match in Singapore
• Ding Liren is the new world chess champion! (2023)