2024 World Chess Championship

  • 13 Dec 2024

In News:

D. Gukesh became the youngest world chess champion after defeating Ding Liren of China in the final game of their match.

Key Facts about the 2024 World Chess Championship:

  • Held At: Singapore, from November 25 to December 12, 2024.
  • Players: Reigning champion Ding Liren (China) vs. Challenger D. Gukesh (India).
  • Significance: This was the first-ever World Championship match contested by two Asian players. Gukesh became the third Asian to win the World Championship after Viswanathan Anand (India) and Ding Liren (China).
  • Historical Context: The World Chess Championship was first established in 1886 with Wilhelm Steinitz as the first official World Champion.
  • Governing Body: Organized by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), which has been responsible for the event since 1948.
  • Selection Process: Gukesh earned his spot through his victory in the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto, while Ding Liren was the reigning champion after Magnus Carlsen declined to defend his title.

D. Gukesh: Key Details

  • Birth: May 29, 2006, in Chennai, India.
  • Grandmaster Title: Achieved at age 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, making him the third-youngest Grandmaster in history.
  • Chess Rating: He is the youngest player to reach a 2750 FIDE rating.
  • Significant Wins:
    • Gold medals in both team and individual events at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
    • Bronze medal in team events at the 2024 Asian Games.
  • Remarkable Fact: Gukesh is four years younger than Garry Kasparov was when he won the World Championship in 1985.

FIDE World Chess Championship Overview:

  • Founded: 1924 in Paris; headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • Governing Body: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and governs global chess competitions. FIDE has 201 member countries.

Indian Chess Achievements:

  • Viswanathan Anand: First Indian to win the World Chess Championship (5-time World Champion).
  • D. Gukesh: Second Indian to win the World Chess Championship.