Singapore: India’s Gukesh Dommaraju scripted history by becoming the youngest world chess champion defeating defending champ Ding Liren of China here yesterday. It was a dramatic affair in the decisive 14th game, as a blunder from Liren in the end game saw Gukesh come out on top. Gukesh also became the 18th world champion at the age of 18, four years younger than Garry Kasparov, who had been the youngest world champion since 1985 when he reigned supreme against Anatoly Karpov.

Gukesh clinched victory in the decider with black pieces as Liren crumbled under pressure. Although Liren was in a comfortable position to force a tie-breaker, he crashed at the end, losing 6.5-7.5.

Ding Liren, whose form has plummeted since he beat Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi to claim the crown in 2023, had not won a long-time format ‘classical’ game since January and largely avoided top events in a bid to improve.

But the Chinese player regained confidence after a surprise win in the opening round of the match and following two wins for Gukesh and eight draws, had evened the score in round 12 with a victory which was acclaimed by several commentators.

Gukesh had qualified in April by winning the Candidates Tournament, an eight-player, double round robin event featuring fellow Indians Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi.

World number one Magnus Carlsen, who had been world champion since 2013, relinquished his title in 2022, citing a lack of motivation. “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,” Gukesh said.