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

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Taking to X, Gukesh tweeted, “Congratulations! It's a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India, a proud moment for WACA, and for me, a very personal moment of pride. Ding played a very exciting match and showed the champion he is.”

Congratulating Gukesh, PM Modi tweeted, “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.”

Ding has not been in good form since he defeated Russia's Nepomniachtchi to clinch the title in 2023. He has not won a long-time format classical game since January. He bounced with a surprise win in the opening round in this championship, with Gukesh responding with two wins ad then eight draws. The score was levelled in Game 12.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: The match between Liren and Gukesh was a 14-round long-time classical event and the prize money was settled at 2.5 million dollars. Gukesh qualified in April after he won the Candidates. Meanwhile, Carlsen, who is world no 1, and had been world champion since 2023, gave up his title in 2022 due to a lack of motivation.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Speaking after the win, 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 vs Ding Liren Live: Liren speaks first in the press conference. He says, "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.”

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Gukesh is in tears with his father, and then he falls on the arms of Paddy Upton and is crying his eyes out! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES!

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: 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

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Okay, Liren resigns and stands up, shakes hands with the new defending champion Gukesh, the youngest-ever in chess history!

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: OH MY GOD! LIREN BLUNDERS! At move 55, he takes his rook to f2 and Gukesh sees that! He pauses patiently to absorb this situation! Such a blunder at the end!

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Gukesh gets his rook down to d2 to check. Liren takes his King to safety to g1 and Gukesh moves his king back to safety to f6 as well. Liren's rook goes up to b6 to check Gukesh. He moves his king back. Then Liren goes to b4 with his rook and Gukesh plays his bishop forward to e6.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Liren gets his bishop to b7, and Gukesh takes his king to g5. Then Liren's pawn is shifted to f3, attacking Gukesh's pawn at g4. Gukesh takes his pawn to f, and then Liren goes ahead with pawn trade-offs. Takes the black pawn at g4 and Gukesh responds the same.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Liren's bishop goes to d5, attacks Gukesh's rook. Gukesh counter-attacks with his rook to d6.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Liren moves his King to g1 and then Gukesh responds with his rook back to e6. Liren takes his rook square to c4 and Gukesh shifts his pawn to g4, challengers his opponent's bishop. But he is also facing danger from Liren's rook.

Liren's rook goes to b4 and Gikesh pushes his pawn to h5. Liren moves his rook to a4 and Gukesh sends his rook to e5. Then Ding gets his bishop away to f3 and Gukesh responds with his King to h6.

Also we have reached time control, 30 minutes added to both clocks.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: There was no trade of rooks as Gukesh rejects Liren's offer. He goes wih his rook to b1, forces a check. Liren shifts his king up a square to g2 and Gukesh's rook chases him to e1.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: The Indian, who has a little over 30 minutes left on the clock, has been left thinking about his next move. If he fails to find a counter, it might go into a tie-break, where Lin is the favourite.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Gukesh doesn't fall for that, and then Liren takes his pawn, pushing him to the Queen's front. And Gukesh finally goes for it! Queen trade done! Now Gukesh is in a strong position and Liren is seeking for a draw. Then they exchange rooks, Gukesh is once again stuck in a rut.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Liren moves his Queen to d4 and wants to tempt Gukesh for a trade-off. How will Gukesh respond now?

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Gukesh uses his pawn to destroy Liren's castle pawn structure. But Liren won't have a problem with that, as he is in a pretty good position and the decider is probably heading to a draw.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Gukesh goes for the Nf4 knight and Liren takes his c6 knight in exchange. Then the black square bishops are traded. Then Gukesh's Queen puts Liren's bishop under pressure. Game 14 heading to a draw? Looks like that for now

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Plenty of moves as Liren catches Gukesh in an unwanted position, he didn't expect this, with Nf4, as a pawn each is traded on the Queen's side. According to the AI engine, the result is expected to be a draw.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Liren now has 51 minutes and change for the remaining 22 moves. Meanwhile, Gukesh has one hour, 14 minutes and change for his remaining 22 moves. List of moves until now-

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

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Gukesh takes his B pawn to b5 and attacks Liren's queenside pawn structure. Liren is now in his thinking mode. Now it is his opponent's turn as Gukesh gets up with his hands in his pockets and goes to the players' lounge.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Live: Gukesh has his hands on his head and is staring at the board. A long pause and he is still contemplating his next move. He is not in a good position right now, with Liren at a better position.

The AI engine says Gukesh should go for b5, and then bishop takes bishop, knight takes bishop, f4. That doesn't look good for black though.

Moves until now-

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