World Chess Championship: Gukesh Cries Happy Tears After Reigning Over Ding Liren | WATCH

D Gukesh was overcome with emotion as he became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. The 18-year-old prodigy, who is also the first teenager to claim the title, shattered Garry Kasparov's long-standing record.

Kasparov won the championship at 22 after defeating Anatoly Karpov in 1985. On Thursday, 12 December, Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in the title match, making him the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to achieve this monumental feat.

Photo Credit: PTI

Following his victory, Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, was visibly overwhelmed, tears streaming down his face as the magnitude of his achievement sunk in.

The gripping finale, which seemed destined for a tiebreaker on 13 December, turned in Gukesh's favour after a critical mistake by Ding, the defending champion.

Entering the decisive 14th game tied at 6.5 points each, the match reached its climax. Ding, playing white, appeared poised for a draw until he made a crucial error on the 53rd move.

Gukesh, with a pawn advantage, maintained relentless pressure, leading to another blunder by Ding and paving the way for the Indian Grandmaster's historic win.

The championship had been an arduous journey for Gukesh. He began the match with a challenging defeat in the first game while playing white. However, he rebounded impressively with a win in Game 3.

The following seven games ended in draws before Gukesh secured a pivotal victory in Game 11. Ding responded with a masterful performance in Game 12, equalising the scores.

In Game 13, Ding managed to withstand Gukesh's offensive strategy, forcing a draw and setting the stage for the dramatic final classical game. Gukesh's triumph in this match cements his place in chess history and marks the dawn of a new era for the sport.