Gukesh Dommaraju made history by becoming the youngest player to win the men’s Candidates chess tournament. He achieved this remarkable feat with a draw against Hikaru Nakamura on the final day of the event. The 17-year-old secured victory in the tournament when American Fabiano Caruana made a critical error and ended up with a draw against Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi.
With his draw in the final game, Gukesh finished with 9/14 points, tying with Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, and Caruana who all had 8.5/14 points. This victory marked a significant achievement for Gukesh, surpassing the previous record set by Garry Kasparov, who was 20 years old when he won the men’s Candidates tournament in 1984. Kasparov went on to become the world champion the following year after defeating Anatoly Karpov.
Gukesh’s performance in the tournament not only showcased his exceptional talent and skill but also solidified his place in chess history as the youngest winner of the men’s Candidates tournament. His victory is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and strategic prowess on the chessboard.