NEW DELHI: India's D Gukesh has become the youngest player to win the Candidates chess tournament, earning the right to challenge the reigning world chess champion, Ding Liren.

At just 17 years old, Gukesh's victory not only places him in the spotlight of the chess world but also surpasses a record held by Garry Kasparov for over four decades. Scoring 9/14 points, Gukesh's performance has been nothing short of remarkable, making him the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to clinch the title in this prestigious event.

Following his remarkable win, a wave of congratulations poured in for the 17-year-old prodigy. Legendary Viswanathan Anand took to social media to express his pride, stating, "I'm personally very proud of how you played and handled tough situations."


As Gukesh exited the venue, he was instantly surrounded by a swarm of people eager to take selfies, capture a moment with him, and extend their congratulations for his extraordinary achievement.
Watch:


In the decisive final round, Gukesh showcased his readiness for the elite level by holding Nakamura to a draw, demonstrating his formidable skills on the global stage.

With Gukesh securing 9 points, attention turned to the match between Fabio Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi. Caruana's initial advantage was nullified by a time pressure-induced error, ultimately leading to a drawn game.

The final standings saw Caruana, Nepomniachtchi, and Nakamura tied for second place with 8.5 points each, while Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured fifth place with seven points.