NEW DELHI: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh marked his historic victory with a unique celebration by carefully placing his pieces back on the chessboard after clinching the world title.
In a gesture that displayed his respect for the game, he meticulously reset the pieces as a tribute to his journey, the challenges he overcame and the strategy that led him to become the youngest world chess champion.
The 18-year-old Gukesh was overcome with emotion, burying his face in his hands as he realised he had become the new world chess champion.
Meanwhile, 32-year-old Ding Liren slumped at the table, recognising the endgame blunder that had given his opponent a chance to seize victory.
Gukesh surpassed the achievement of Russia's Garry Kasparov, who won the title at age 22. He also became only the second Indian, after five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, to claim the world title.
Gukesh's victory in the 14th game secured him 7.5 points, against Ding's 6.5, marking the culmination of his extraordinary journey as the youngest-ever challenger for the world championship.
Magnanimous in his triumph, Gukesh praised Ding, acknowledging that he "fought like a true champion."
Get IPL 2025 match schedules, squads, points table, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less