Domaradž Gukeš is the new world champion in chess. The Indian beat the Chinese Din Ližen with 7:6,5 and took the title of the best from him. The match in Singapore was played for a prize fund of 2,5 million dollars
In the last 14th game of the match for the title of champion, Ližen made a rookie mistake in the 55th move and in a tied ending, after which 18-year-old Gukeš gained a big advantage and celebrated for the chess crown.
"When I realized that Din was wrong, it was probably the best moment of my life. My big dream has come true, I am very happy. The goal of my career is to stay at the top as long as possible. My career is just at the beginning, I have only been playing for 10 years," said Gukeš and added:
"Obviously, being world champion doesn't mean I'm the best in the world. There's Magnus Carlsen. It motivates me when I watch someone at such a very, very high level. It's going to make me keep working, working hard and trying to reach Magnus size," explained the Indian.
Only the title returns to the birthplace of the daily game. Gukeš' job was made easier by the fact that after the title in 2023 and the consequences of the covid virus, Din is not the same player. Gukeš is four years younger than Gari Kasparov in 1985, who was the youngest world champion until today.
"We all know who Dean is. For several years he was one of the best players in history. The hardships he faced, the pressure he had to endure and the fight he gave in this match shows that he is a true champion. And it doesn't matter who says what For me, he is a real world champion. It would be amazing to play with Magnus for the chess crown. But it all depends on Magnus. I would like to test my strength on to the world," Gukeš said at the press conference.
In 2022, the Norwegian Karlsen refused to defend the title of the world champion, citing a lack of motivation. Din entered as an "easy loser" and surprised the favored Russian Jan Nepomnjašnji.
Gukesh is the second Indian to hold the FIDE crown, before the five-time champion was Viswanathan Anand.
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