FIDE World Chess Championship: Gukesh D emerges world champion as Ding Liren resigns to fate!

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Teen sensation Gukesh D emerged as the youngest ever world champion in the classical format of chess as he beat China's Ding Liren with Black pieces in the final round of the FIDE World Championship at Sentosa Island in Singapore.

The scoreline of 7.5-6.5 may not be understood by all those who do not follow chess. Yet, this is a day to celebrate, cheer, pop the champagne cork.

As Gukesh secured the win, he signed the paper, cried, his head bowed down, as if to say a prayer before he touched his heart. This was poignant and an 18-year-old Indian triumphing against all odds is a huge feat.

The hype around this contest spread out over such a long period had attracted attention and aroused interest. Even for those who do not follow the intricacies of what it is to make the moves on the 64 squares, Gukesh had everyone in thrall. There were ups and downs, and to give credit to Gukesh he had had pushed Ding on the defensive many times in the last few days. This was a battle of attrition, so typical in classical chess. A day before, on Wednesday. Ding Liren was lucky to pull off a draw.

But the climax was on Thursday and lakhs were watching this all-important round on live blogs. Sadly, this was not beamed live on television, which is a shame. The number of people who follow chess today has grown exponentially. Surely, this could have been shown on TV. Gukesh has done something which will resonate for a long time. Indeed, there will be a strong temptation to make comparisons with legend Vishy Anand. No, never do that.

There was and is only one Vishy, the father of Indian chess. He has spurred a whole generation to take up chess and done so much. For those who may not even remember how Vishy would go around playing with multiple players in a hall, all novices on various boards simultaneously, sponsored by NIIT, this is the reward, Gukesh as champion.

It would be no exaggeration to state that so many youngsters have idolised Anand and wanted to get better and better. That Gukesh would do it in his first shot will be part of Indian sports folklore. When Anand won the World Championship in Tehran, his first, he beat Alexei Shirov in 2000. That was also in December.

When Anand returned at that time to New Delhi and saw hordes of media waiting to interview him in a South Delhi hotel, he was flummoxed. As I could begin a conversation with the King in Tamil, his first reaction was one of awe. Anand thought he would never get such a fantastic reception. Not many knew chess in depth and what the difference was between classical format and rapid. As the growth happened, for Anand as well as Indian chess, it has been a proud progression.

Sample this, when Gukesh won the Candidates and became the challenger to Ding Liren, none would have dreamt of this day. Sample the way chess has been promoted as well in India. Chennai hosted a mega event, the Chess Olympiad in 2022. It was defining. Two years hence, recently when the Indians were in full cry at the Chess Olympiad in September, winning two gold medals - men and women, it was unbelievable.

Not one name can be missed out as India had so many champions. There are many more waiting in the wings for the future as well what with Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and his sister Vaishali also top draw players.

Back to Gukesh, he has been a picture of calm in Singapore. It has obviously helped he sought the help of mental coach Paddy Upton in the last six months. This is a very important aspect and Upton's job was to ensure Gukesh would be calm and handle the pressure. The kind of preparation which has gone in has made an impact.

Visuals from Singapore showed Gukesh entering the hall from the lift with measured steps. A spiritual boy who wears a 'tilak' on his forehead, his composure stood out. As Upton had said in an interview, preparing Gukesh to face Ding Liren was more about the mind.

Most important, he did not want Gukesh to rely on Upton but face the battle himself. For those who know the intricacies of moves and more in chess, today, Ding Liren resigned!