India’s Gukesh becomes world’s youngest chess champion

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2024

Gukesh, 18, is the world's youngest chess champion © Seshadri Sukumar/Zuma/dpa/picture alliance

The match seemed to be heeded to a tie, but Gukesh Dommaraju snatched victory with black pieces after China’s Ding Liren made a blunder on his 55th move.

India’s Gukesh Dommaraju became the world’s youngest chess champion on Thursday.

He achieved the title after defeating China’s Ding Liren in the final match of their series in Singapore.

Who is teen chess prodigy Gukesh?

The 18-year-old native of the southern city of Chennai became “the YOUNGEST WORLD CHAMPION in history,” the International Chess Federation said in a post on the platform X.

The second-youngest winner of the title is Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who made the achievement in 1985 at the age of 22.

Gukesh is also the second Indian national to win the title, alongside five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, also hailing from the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

He qualified for the match against Ding in April by winning the Candidates tournament.

Ding claimed the title in 2023 after defeating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen let go of the title in 2022, citing a lack of motivation.

Ding made a mistake on his 55th move (file photo 25 November)
© Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/dpa/picture alliance

Gukesh snatches victory after Ding blunder

In the pair’s 14th game, Gukesh achieved a score of 7.5 against Ding’s 6.5.

Gukesh won with black pieces after Ding what was described by commentators as a blunder made in a comfortable position.

The match appeared to be heading to a tie-break on Friday but Gukesh managed to defeat Ding after the Chinese player made a huge mistake on his 55th move.

“I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder,” Ding said following the match.

After his win, Gukesh praised his opponent’s performance, saying that Ding had “fought like a true champion.”

Gukesh thanked several of his seconds, trainers, and training partners, including German grand master Vincent Keymer.

The match was a 14-round long-time “classical” event. It had a prize fund of $2.5 million (€2.38 million).

sdi/jcg (AFP, Reuters, dpa)

"I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder" – 🇨🇳 Ding Liren #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/tP6QrD352A

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024

🇮🇳 Gukesh D is the YOUNGEST WORLD CHAMPION in history! 🔥 👏 pic.twitter.com/MYShXB5M62

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024

2026 World Cup: Super Eagles waiting for FIFA’s decision – Iwobi

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?

The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.

“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.

“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER

Published

7 days ago

January 30, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences

to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.

The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.

President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.

“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.

I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.

President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)