The Coronation of the 18th World Chess Champion - D Gukesh
D Gukesh etched his name in history a little less than 24 hours ago. He is the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in history. He started the year as a 17-year-old teenager. First he won the Candidates, then he won double Gold and finally he defeated the 17th World Champion - Ding Liren (CHN) by 7.5-6.5, winning three games and losing only two. The World no.5 assembled a star-studded team for his second. A decade long sacrifice of his parents, father - Dr. Rajini Kanth and mother - Padma Kumari's tireless efforts have finally attained the alluring summit. Gukesh dreamt, worked towards it and realized it. Almost 24 years, Vishy Anand became the World Champion for the very first time. It inspired the nation and beyond. Gukesh's triumph is surely going to inspire a lot and the 'Golden era' of Indian chess will continue. Photo: FIDE/Eng Chin An
Gukesh cements Indian domination
The 'Golden era' started a few months ago when India won double Gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. India's youngest Grandmaster has now become the undisputed youngest World Champion in history. D Gukesh won US$ 1900000, Ding Liren got US$ 1600000, including $200000 for each of their respective wins. A month before the first game each player received US$ 200000. This amount will be deducted from the prize fund.
"Thank you, thank you everyone. It feels like I have lived this moment a million times in my head. Every morning when I woke up, this moment was the reason why I woke up, the reason why I did every little thing so far. For me to actually be here, hold this trophy and experience this moment in reality, it means more than anything else in my life. Very few people get the opportunity to live this moment in their lives, I am very glad to be one of them.
It feels like I have lived this moment a million times in my head. Every morning when I woke up, this moment was the reason why I woke up, the reason why I did every little thing so far. For me to actually be here, hold this trophy and experience this moment in reality, it means more than anything else in my life. Very few people get the opportunity to live this moment in their lives, I am very glad to be one of them.
This journey has been nothing short of dream. There were many ups and downs, many challenges, many beautiful moments, many setbacks but I wouldn't change a single thing that has happened in this career so far. This journey has been this beautiful because of the kind of people around me.
Firstly, I would like to thank the organizers of this match, they did an amazing job. I am super glad to be in a beautiful country such as Singapore and to play this match in beautiful conditions, so huge thanks to Singaporeans, the organizing committee. I would also like to thank my opponent, Ding Liren. He is, in my eyes, a true champion. We saw that, despite a lot of pressure on him, he was able to put on a huge fight and this match was just the show it is because of his fighting spirit and the kind of fighter that he is. I really admire you. Thank you for this amazing fight.
Now I would like to thank all the people in my life who has supported me throughout my career in so many ways. They have worked super hard for this, this one moment. I would like to start with my parents. This win means more to them than it means for me, so both my parents, they are the biggest supporters of my career and my life. I'd like to thank my parents, first and foremost. I would also like to thank my team. Gaju (GM Grzegorz Gajewski) was here, the whole team - they have been doing an amazing job. It has not been an easy journey. It took a lot of effort from them and their families, for me and for us to reach this moment. I'd like to congratulate the team and to thank them so much. All the trainers that I have worked with in the past and till now. I'd also like to thank Paddy who has been a huge support for me for this match.
I would like to thank God because in so many moments throughout my career and life, when I couldn't see the solution, God was the only person who could pull me through these moments, show me the right way. Without God performing so many miracles and all this support, I couldn't have been here. So I'd like to thank God.
My family, my friends, some of them are here, many of my friends are here. Some of them are also back home, each and every single one of you means the world to me. Your support and your prayers have pulled me through so much. Thank you so much to all my family and my friends.
I would like to thank my sponsors - Westbridge. They have supported me in so many ways, financially helping me, my preparation, emotionally also, being there. It's also pleasure for me to have Sandeep sir here, to experience this moment. It's a beautiful moment and we couldn't have done it without you.
I'd like to thank my sponsor ad my school - Velammal. My whole journey started in a summer camp in my school, Velammal in Chennai. From day one, my school has seen me to this point and they have supported me in so many ways. So I'd like to thank my school.
I would like to thank all the fans. All your cheerings for me, before and after the games, your prayers. I remember, after one of the games, a family from India, they brought me offerings from a temple in India, all the way to Singapore, for one of my games. To see these kind of support, from people whom I never met in my life, see how much this means to me, gave me all the energy that I needed. So, all the fans, you are amazing.
Representing my country is something that gives me immense pride and it's one of the driving factors behind my hard work. I would like to thank the Indian government, Tamil Nadu government for their invaluable support.
I would like to finally say, till now the journey has been challenging and beautiful. I know it's going to get only more challenging. My goal is to have a very long career, with a lot of ups and downs, with all of you by my side, so that I can overcome anything.
Thank you all for the things you have done for me so far. I hope we can continue this journey, this will be a long and beautiful journey with many more experiences that will be remembered for the lifetime. Thank you."
