Chess lovers were treated to a rare spectacle during the 2024 World Chess Championship, an annual tournament conducted by the FIDE (International Chess Federation) to determine the World Chess Champion. This past edition featured reigning champion Ding Liren of China and 18-year-old prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju of India facing off across 14 games over three weeks in Singapore, creating storylines for the ages in the chess world.
“It was really interesting to see the clash between experience and youth,” Lambert senior Samanyu Badam said. “Ding was definitely more of a seasoned player, but his form was pretty shaky before the tournament…but Gukesh has been near the top of the world for the last few years.”
Chess, while not a physically demanding sport, requires high concentration, focus and strategy in order to succeed. Fans of the game were intrigued as to whether Gukesh’s increased mental conditioning and development ahead of the tournament would give him the eventual edge over Liren.
The series of games was played as a best out of 14, with the two competitors going neck-and-neck until the very final round. As the penultimate match was drawn, both Liren and Dommaraju went into the decider tied six and a half games apiece. The final round ended after a thrilling 58-move encounter that saw Dommaraju prevail after a costly error by Liren, allowing him to capitalize and claim a historic victory on the world stage.
Dommaraju’s maiden World Chess Championship triumph also made him the youngest-ever undisputed world champion at just 18 years old. The record-breaking feat drew admiration from fans across the world, especially from his home country of India.
“[Dommaraju] made history with his win and captivated a lot of fans,” Badam explained. “His return back to India…made him a national hero.”
The 2024 World Chess Championship paved historic storylines and new frontrunners in the sport, creating lasting memories for chess enthusiasts around the globe. As chess reaches new audiences and grows in popularity, the future of the sport continues to hold great promise as it ushers in a new generation of competitors and fans.
