Newly-crowned World Chess Champion D Gukesh responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s compliment after defeating China’s Ding Liren in the final bout of the championship. With Modi taking to X and calling the 18-year-old’s achievement ‘Historic and Exemplary’, the teen prodigy thanked him for all the support and encouragement.
D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever player to win the FIDE World Championship title win as he triumphed over China’s Ding Liren in their final bout. Wishes poured from across India from cricketers, Bollywood actors to politicians as Gukesh broke down after emerging triumphant.
In the process, he broke the record of Garry Kasparov, who held the record of becoming the youngest world chess champion, accomplishing when he was 22.
Meanwhile, Modi took to X and lauded Gukesh’s hard work and unmatched talent, thereby acting as an inspiration for millions in India.
“Historic and exemplary! Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable accomplishment. This is the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination. His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence. My best wishes for his future endeavours.”
Responding to it, Gukesh wrote:
“Thanks a lot sir for all the support and encouragement.”
D Gukesh reveals where his aspiration to clinch world title stemmed from:
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old revealed after his win that seeing Vishwanathan Anand lose to the sensational Magnus Carlsen in 2013 inspired him to bring the title to India. He said, as quoted by ANI:
“In 2013, during the Chess World Championship in Chennai, I looked at Vishy Sir and Magnus and thought it would be really cool to be there one day. To actually sit there and see the Indian flag next to me was probably the best moment of my life. When Magnus won, I thought, ‘I really want to be the one to bring the title back to India.'”
