Garry Kasparov hails Indian Grandmaster Gukesh D. (PTI)
Former world champion Gary Kasparov lauded Indian grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju, who defeated defending champion Ding Liren to become the youngest world chess champion in the game’s history. 18-year-old Gukesh surpassed Russian great Garry Kasparov, who won the crown in 1985 at 22.
In a series of tweets, Kasparov said how the Indian teenager has summited the highest peak of his career and also hailed the youngster’s temperament in a high-octane clash.
“My congratulations to @DGukesh on his victory today. He has summitted the highest peak of all: making his mother happy,” Kasparov wrote on X.
My congratulations to @DGukesh on his victory today. He has summitted the highest peak of all: making his mother happy!
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 12, 2024
“Gukesh impressively surmounted every obstacle and opponent in his path, especially considering his age, and nothing more can be asked. My thoughts on the historical world championship lineage with Magnus outside are known, but that is not the story today.
“The level of play was quite high, at least equal to the previous match. Ding showed great resistance. As for the blunders, which world championship, or world champion, was without them? I had my share, and recall the double blunder in Carlsen-Anand 2014, g6. Matches take a toll.
“Gukesh was well-prepared and the player who played the best won the match. His victory caps a phenomenal year for India. Combined with Olympiad dominance, chess has returned to its cradle and the era of “Vishy’s children” is truly upon us!
“India is a nation with an unlimited pool of human talent, combined with the freedom to explore and develop it. The future is bright not only in chess. The summit has been reached and now the goal must be to raise it even higher for the next ascent. Congratulations again. Upward!”
Gary Kasparov has defeated Anatoly Karpov in 1985 to become the youngest world check champion, a record he held on till Gukesh’s triumph over Ding Liren.
“By the way, just noticed a coincidence that 12/12, today is the 40th anniversary of one of my world championship milestones, winning my first game against Karpov in our first match in 1984, game 32! First step in salvaging my dignity in that one,” he said.
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