Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest world chess champion at the age of 18. He triumphed over the reigning title-holder, Ding Liren of China, in the 14th and final game of their thrilling showdown in Singapore. Gukesh secured the necessary 7.5 points, edging out Liren, who scored 6.5 points, after winning the last classical time control game, which had seemed destined for a draw for most of the match.

Before Gukesh, the title of the youngest world chess champion was held by Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he won the crown in 1985 by defeating Anatoly Karpov. Gukesh entered the match as the youngest challenger to the world title, having secured his place by winning the Candidates tournament earlier in the year. With this victory, he becomes the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to claim the world chess title. Anand, a five-time world champion, last won the crown in 2013.