Gukesh bests Ding Liren in Game 14 to become the youngest and 18th World Chess Champion
The 18-year-old lost the first game in his first World Championship Match. He was prepared for it, he knew it could happen. According to him, it was humiliating. No matter how much one prepares to be okay with a loss, it was quite tough to handle it. On his way back, in the lift, Vishy Anand told him, "I had 11 games, you have 13." It reminded him that it was just one game and it's a long match and he will get his chances. He showed mental toughness and fortitude, overcame all obstacles to etch his name in the record books. D Gukesh won FIDE Candidates 2024, turned 18, won double Gold at 45th Olympiad and now the youngest World Champion in history. The boy said, he is just getting started. Photo: FIDE/Eng Chin An
"When you do the right things, usually good things happen, I believe in that"
"Firstly, I would like to say a few words about my opponent. We all know who Ding is. He has been one of the best players in history for several years, to see him struggling, how much pressure he had to face. The kind of fight he gave in this match, it shows what a true champion he is. No matter who says what about Ding, for me he is a real world champion. Champions always step up to the moment and obviously for the past two years he hasn't been in great shape. He came here, he was struggling during the game. He was probably not at best physically but he fought in all games, he fought like a true champion and yeah I am really sorry for Ding. They put on a great show. I would like to thank my opponent first. This couldn't have been the same without my opponent. Since the time I started playing chess, 6.5-7 years of age, I have been dreaming about this but living this moment like more than ten years. Every chess player wants to experience this moment and very few get the chance. To be one of them, I think the only way to explain them is, just living my dream. I'd like to thank god first of all because this whole journey starting from qualifying to the Candidates, till here, it could only be possible by god. There were so many miracles. I am really thankful to all the people who have been by my side in this journey..." - D Gukesh after becoming the youngest World Chess Champion in history.
"Being here, representing my country in any tournament, especially this being such a high level event, eleven years back the title was taken away from India. When I was watching the match in 2013, I was in the stands and I was looking inside the glass box. I thought it would be so cool to be inside one day. When Magnus won I thought, I really want to be the one to bring the title back to India. This dream that I had like more than ten years ago, has been the single most important thing in my life so far. Doing this for myself, for my loved ones and my country, there is probably nothing better than this." - Gukesh on what it means to bring the World title back to the country.
This has always been a very big part of the dream. It is a huge step. I am very happy for that. My goal with my career has always been to be at the very top for the longest time possible. My career is just starting now. I have had ten years. I want to play for as long as I can. I want to have a very very long career and to stay the very very top. Obviously, becoming the world champion doesn't mean that I am the best player in the world. Obviously that's Magnus (Carlsen). It's also a motivating factor that there is someone at a very very high level. Something that will keep me doing the right things, working hard and trying to reach the level of greatness that Magnus has achieved. - D Gukesh
"It means a lot. It probably meant a lot to that 8-year-old than right now because I stopped paying too much attention to the youngest all this, numbers, these records. There is this famous clip which I did with Sagar in 2017 where I said that I wanted to be the youngest world champion. Now that this is not just a dream but a reality, I think that 8-year-old kid would be really happy." - The 18th world champion on becoming the youngest world chess champion in history.
Obviously this position is a draw but with the bishops on, this 3 vs 2, I thought there are a lot of stuff that could go wrong. It shouldn't but it can. For example, I was calculating some of the bishop endings, if I get my king on e3, it would just be winning. There were a lot of tricks that needed to be taken care of. So I don't think it was such a drawn position but my whole strategy for this first match was to push as much as possible in every single game with both colors. It wasn't working till the last moment but it just takes one game for the strategy to pay off. I was confident about my strategy, my approach. At the very least, I was tiring him out. Since I won, I could say it was a good strategy. - D Gukesh
Gukesh - Ding Liren: 0.5-0.5
Ding Liren opted for the Reti opening for the second time in this match. Gukesh had no trouble equalizing out of the opening. The game reached a rook and same color bishop endgame. Everyone including Gukesh thought the game will end in a draw. However, Gukesh was ready to grind 5-6 hours before the draw became not the obvious but only result. Ding had a flashback of his haunting memories from this past October at 45th Olympiad where he lost a similar endgame against Le Quang Liem (VIE).
"Actually, when he played 55.Rf2, I didn't realize it. I was going to play Rb3 almost but then I saw that this bishop is actually getting trapped and after Ke1 I have Ke5 in the pawn ending which is winning. When I realized it, it was probably the best moment of my life." - Gukesh on his reaction seeing 55.Rf2?? a blunder on the board.
"I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder. His facial expression showed that he is very happy, excited. It took some time to realize it. Otherwise, it's not so easy to talk. Maybe I should just wait... So yeah, no game tomorrow." - Ding Liren after losing the crown.
"It's not a draw like yesterday. Although, last October, I had a similar battle with a rook and bishop. It reminded me some bad memories against Le Quang Liem in Olympiad. It was a rook endgame, this time with bishop." - The 17th world champion about the endgame of Game 14.
"I think I played my best tournament of the year. It could have been better but considering yesterday's lucky survive, it's a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets." - Ding on his opponent, D Gukesh, the new and youngest world chess champion in history.
"Thank you. I will continue to play. I hope I can console a strength like this time." - Ding Liren's last words for his fans and supporters.
"I think the best part was probably when I entered the room for Game 1. The game did not go okay but as I said back in 2013, I was outside the glassbox. I did not get the seat in the audience to watch the match. At that time, I just looked at Vishy sir and Magnus, and I thought, it will be really cool to be there one day. To actually be there, sit and to see the Indian flag next to me, it was probably the best moment." - Gukesh shared his best moment at this World Championship.
"I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win that position. I was going to press it for as long as I could possibly press but I thought we are going to play for 5-6 hours, it's going to end in a draw, let's focus on the tie-breaks. Then suddenly after 55.Rf2?? I saw this chance. When I saw that this was actually done, like I was already preparing myself to go through that huge tie-break fight and suddenly it was all over. I had achieved my dream. I am not someone who shows a lot of emotions but I think this one can be forgiven." - Gukesh on having a range of emotions after his epic victory.
Gukesh revealed his seconds. They are - GM Grzegorz Gajewski (POL), GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek (POL), GM Pentala Harikrishna, GM Vincent Keymer (GER), GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL), and Paddy Upton (Mental coach). During the Candidates, IM Jan Klikowski (POL) was helping Gajewski. Last but not the least Vishy Anand. He was not officially part of the seconds team. However, Gukesh mentioned that he attended and helped remotely during one of the training sessions.
"Thanks is a very small word for what they have done, both my parents - my mom and my dad. My dad is here, my mom is back home. I am sure she is very happy. Probably she will come tomorrow to celebrate. The dream was probably bigger for them than it was for me. Firstly, to start with, they both are sports lover. Back in their youth, they did not get the chance to pursue their passion. When I was born they decided that whatever I want to do, they will do everything they can to support me in every way possible. When I started showing interest in chess, showed some talent, they went to such lengths, I did not understand at that time. Now that I look back, I mean they are just crazy. I can't thank them enough. They both have been simply the biggest support. My whole journey, it's not only for me, it's for them. I love them both and thank them very much." - Gukesh on is parents, their sacrifice and support.
All the energy I need, I get from my loved ones - Gukesh
Video Gallery
Replay live stream
Schedule
Every game starts at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. There is a rest day after every three games.
