Indian prodigy D. Gukesh created chess history by becoming the youngest-ever winner of the FIDE Candidates Tournament, clinching the title with a commanding 10/14 score at age 19 years and 1 month. Gukesh clinched the trophy with a round to spare in Toronto, defeating former World Champion Fabiano Caruana in the penultimate round to book his spot as the official Challenger for the World Chess Championship. He surpassed the previous youngest Candidates winner Garry Kasparov, who won the tournament at 20 years.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich called Gukesh one of the most gifted chess minds to emerge in decades. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Gukesh on a stunning achievement that will inspire a generation of Indian chess players. The 19-year-old will face reigning World Champion Ding Liren of China in the World Championship match scheduled for later in the year. India, which has already produced two World Champions in Viswanathan Anand, now has Gukesh on the cusp of adding a third title to that legacy.