D. Gukesh Makes History as Youngest Winner of the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament
Introduction: A New Chess Prodigy Emerges
In a stunning display of talent and determination, 17-year-old Indian chess prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh has made history by becoming the youngest player to win the FIDE Candidates Tournament, held in Toronto. This monumental achievement surpasses the record previously set by Garry Kasparov, who was 20 years old when he won the tournament in 1984.
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| D Gukesh becomes the youngest challenger to win the title of 'Candidates Chess Tournament' |
The Journey to Victory: An Historic Achievement
Gukesh's journey to victory in the Candidates Tournament was nothing short of remarkable. The tournament concluded with an intense final round on 21 April 2024, where Gukesh held fellow title contender Hikaru Nakamura from the USA to a draw with black pieces. His fate was ultimately decided by the result of another match between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana, which ended in a hard-fought draw after 109 moves. This outcome ensured Gukesh's status as the tournament's youngest champion.
A New Milestone for Indian Chess
With this win, Gukesh joins an elite group of chess players, becoming the second Indian to qualify for the World Chess Championship after the legendary Viswanathan Anand. This accomplishment is particularly significant as Gukesh had already surpassed his mentor, Anand, to become India's top-ranked player in October 2023. His rapid rise through the ranks has drawn widespread attention and admiration from the chess community worldwide.
Looking Ahead: The Challenge of the World Chess Championship
Gukesh's victory at the Candidates Tournament grants him the opportunity to challenge Ding Liren for the World Chess Championship title later this year. If successful, he would become the youngest world champion in chess history. This would place him ahead of former champions Magnus Carlsen and Garry Kasparov, who were both 22 when they achieved this milestone.
Impressive Performances by Other Indian Players
In addition to Gukesh's groundbreaking win, other Indian players also made significant impacts at the Candidates Tournament. R. Praggnanand and Vidit Gujrathi both secured 5th and 6th places, respectively, demonstrating India's growing strength in the international chess scene. Their impressive performances in their Candidates debut suggest a bright future for Indian chess.
Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh Secure Olympic Quota for Paris 2024
On another front, Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh made waves by securing the Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India in the marathon race walk mixed relay event. The pair achieved this feat by finishing 18th at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships 2024 in Antalya, Turkey, with a time of 3:05:03. This new addition to the Olympic categories will see its debut at Paris 2024, with teams consisting of one male and one female athlete competing in a relay format.
Conclusion: A New Era for Indian Sports
The achievements of Gukesh, Goswami, and Singh represent a new era for Indian sports, showcasing the country's talent and determination on the global stage. As Gukesh prepares to challenge for the World Chess Championship and Goswami and Singh gear up for Paris 2024, the world will be watching to see how these young athletes continue to make history.
