Chess: India's Gukesh D becomes youngest to win Candidates tournament

India's Gukesh D became the youngest ever to win the FIDE Chess Candidate tournament at the age of 17 on Monday (Apr 22). Gukesh drew the final round against the USA's Hikaru Nakamura to win the 2024 title after 14 rounds over three weeks.

With the win, Gukesh also qualified for the World Championship Final, becoming only the second player from India to do so. He'll be facing China's Ding Liren later in the year in chess' biggest tournament. Before him, only Viswanath Anand had qualified for the World Championship.

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Anand also congratulated the teenager and posted on his social media handle on X: "Congratulations to @DGukesh for becoming the youngest challenger. The @WacaChess family is so proud of what you have done. I’m personally very proud of how you played and handled tough situations. Enjoy the moment."

Ahead of the final game, Gukesh addressed his age and relative inexperience and said: "There are pros and cons considering my age and, you could say, lack of experience, but there are also some advantages. Like such a long tournament, it is easier to be focused at my age. There is a lack of experience, but I am trying my best."

The 17-year-old needed a win against Nakamura to win the tournament but a draw between Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi meant his own draw against Nakamura was enough for the tournament victory.

The Indian star had entered the tournament as the third youngest behind legends Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen. Gukesh, however, went one step up to win the whole tournament despite not being considered a favourite to win the tournament by many.

Throughout the tournament, Gukesh lost only to France’s Alireza Firouzja, showing his sensational form.