Indian grandmaster D Gukesh designed background in Toronto, Canada by profitable the 2024 FIDE Candidates after 14 challenging-fought rounds, starting to be the youngest player at any time to get the prestigious match at the age of 17.
Heading into the 14th and final round as the outright chief in the Open up classification, Gukesh could only control a attract against Hikaru Nakumara but to his fortune, fellow title contenders Fabiano Carunara and Ian Nepomniachtchi also performed out a attract ensuing in Gukesh getting declared the outright winner of Candidates 2024.
He has now acquired the proper to problem recent entire world champion Ding Liren of China right after accumulating an extraordinary 9 points out of a feasible 14.
Beforehand, legendary GM Vishwanathan Anand received the Candidates in 2014, producing Gukesh only the second Indian to realize this feat.
Grandmaster at just 12 yrs outdated, Gukesh now adds this to his currently outstanding keep track of history at just 17.
Though his Polish mentor, GM Grzegorz Gajewski was with him in Canada, his Indian mentor, GM Vishnu Prasanna, hailing from Chennai, was just as ecstatic as he was tensed.
“Right now was a incredibly tense day. The other contender, Fabiano Carunaro was also in a good placement. We did not know if it would be a tie-split or he would finish up as an outright winner,” Vishnu told The Bridge.
“The last two times have been tense. You do not want to overlook such likelihood when they come about, as a result the stress. But I am incredibly content he did it,” he added.
In accordance to Vishnu, preparing was critical to the achievements of the teenage feeling. “We realized who the opponents are and because we understood them, we specifically grew to become organized for them,” he remarked.
He also experienced a word of praise for Gukesh’s Polish coach Gajewski. “Gukesh has a enormous staff. His Polish mentor Gajewski is with him in Canada and they have finished an exceptional position,” Vishnu mentioned.
When the event commenced, no 1 considered of Gukesh as a probable champion. But from all odds, Gukesh has designed it huge and GM Vishnu thinks it is his unrelenting concentrate and his amazing capability to handle pressure ideal from a small age that has led him here.
“This is the initially time he has divided himself as a significant sensation. For one particular, he is quite decided and centered. The level right here was far too large and he has stood out. Only Vishy (Vishwanathan Anand) has carried out it right before from India and now Gukesh,” Vishnu mentioned.
Congratulations to @DGukesh for starting to be the youngest challenger. The @WacaChess family is so very pleased of what you have performed . I’m individually quite very pleased of how you played and dealt with rough predicaments. Enjoy the minute
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) April 22, 2024
“What sets Gukesh apart from others is his absolute focus. Suitable from age 11, he has been beneath pressure but he enjoys it which is a great detail,” he additional.
The journey, for Gukesh has just begun. Vishnu reckons there are two main plans that Gukesh has now established his eyes on. “The 1st objective is to get nearer to environment no.1 Magnus Carlson. Gukesh is presently world no.6,” he included.
“The second purpose is the championship match against Ding Liren that will materialize at the conclusion of the 12 months,” Vishnu concluded.