D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship Highlights: Gukesh beats Ding, becomes youngest-ever world champ

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship Highlights: Gukesh has become the youngest-ever world champion.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship Highlights: Gukesh Dommaraju defeated Ding Liren in the decisive Game 14 of the World Chess Championship, on Thursday. The win saw Gukesh become the youngest-ever world champion, at 18-years-old. Gukesh was black and Liren was white in this decider, with the Indian starting on a strong note. But Liren came up with the perfect response after long pauses, putting Gukesh's advancing bishop under pressure. After a long pause, Gukesh finally retreated his bishop in the 13th move, putting his winning chances in a precarious situation.

In the 17th move, Liren turned the tide to his favour, bring his under-fire knight back and then counter-attacking with his black square bishop, leaving Gukesh contemplating once again. The end game started with Liren tempting Gukesh with a Queen trade-off. After Gukesh finally accepted it, it meant that Liren was seeking only for draw, to force a tie-breaker.

With the game looking like it was heading for a draw, Liren suddenly caused a huge blunder in the 55th move, moving his rook to f2, and Gukesh spotted it immediately. Then it became a king-and-pawn game as the defending champion accepted defeat and resigned to Gukesh. The result also marked India's second world chess champion.

After the shock defeat, Liren said, “It took me a while to realised I blundered.”

"I think I played my best tournament in the year. I could be better, but considering yesterday's luck, it's a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets.

“Thank you. I will continue to play.”

Meanwhile, an emotional Gukesh said, “Actually when he played Rf2, I didn't realise.. When I did realise it, it was the best moment of my life.”

"We all know who Ding is. He has been one of the best players in history for several years. To see him struggling and see under how much pressure he faced, and the fight he gave... To me he is a real world champion. He fought like a true champion, and I'm really sorry for Ding and his team. I would like to thank my opponent first - this could not have been the same without him.

"I've been dreaming about this and living this moment since I was 6 or 7. Every chess player wants to live this moment - and to be one of them is .... I'm living my dream. I'd like to thank God - this whole journey - from Candidates till here could only be possible by God.

“I'm really thankful to all the people who've been by my side in this journey. I want to thank everyone, but the kind of emotions I'm feeling right now.. I'll say something stupid [laughs].

“Representing my country.. 11 years back the title was taken away from India. When I was watching in 2013, looking into the glass box, I thought it'd be so cool to be there one day. I had the dream 10 years ago of bringing the title back. There's nothing better than this,” he added.

D Gukesh (Black) vs Ding Liren (White) Game 14 moves:

1. Nf3 d5

2. g3 c5

3. Bg2 Nc6

4. d4 e6

5. O-O cxd4

6. Nxd4 Nge7

7. c4 Nxd4

8. Qxd4 Nc6

9. Qd1 d4

10. e3 bc5

11. exd4 Bxd4

12. Nc3 O-O

13. Nb5 Bb6

14. b3 a6

15. Nc3 Bd4

16. Bb2 e5

17. Qd2 Be6

18. Nd5 b5

19. cxb5 axb5

20. Nf4 exf4

21. Bxc4 Bxb2

22. Qxb2 Rb8

23. Rfd1 Qb6

24. Bf3 fxg3

25. hxg3 b4

26. a4 bxa3 (!)

27. Rxa3 g6

28. Qd4 Qb5

29. b4 Qxb4

30. Qxb4 Rxb4

31. Ra8 Rxa8

32. Bxa8 g5

33. Bd5 Bf5

34. Rc1 Qg7

35. Rc7 Bg6

36. Rc4 Rb1+

37. Kg2 Re1

38. Rb4 h5

39. Ra4 Re5

40. Bf3 Kh6

41. Kg1 Re6

42. Rc4 g4

43. Bd5 Rd6

44. Bb7 Kg5

45. f3 f5

46. fxg4 hxg4

47. Rb4 Bf7

48. Kf2 Rd2+

49. Kg1 Kf6

50. Rb6+ Kg5

51. Rb4 Be6

52. Ra4 Rb2

53. Ba8 Kf6

54. Rf4 Ke5

55. Rf2 Rxf2

56. Kxf2 Bd5

57. Bxd5 Kxd5

58. Ke3 Ke5