D Gukesh on realising Ding Liren's blunder in Game 14 of World Chess Championship: 'Best moment of my life'

D Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest world champion in the history of chess and only the second Indian to win the title after defeating D Gukesh in the final Classical game of the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore on Thursday. Game 14 of the World Championship was heading towards another stalemate and Ding would have mentally been preparing for the tie-breaks, where he would have had the advantage over his opponent.

As It Happened | D Gukesh defeats Ding Liren in Game 14 of World Chess Championship

Gukesh, however, refused to give up till the very end, and used his considerable time lead over Ding to his advantage to force an error on the 32-year-old Chinese GM’s part.

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Ding ended up committing a Championship-deciding blunder in his 55th move when he moved his rook to f2, resulting in a flurry of exchanges in which both players lost their rooks and bishops. Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of Game 14 as well as the 2024 World Championship, Gukesh described it as the “best moment” of his life.

When Ding played 55.Rf2?
Gukesh shares his thoughts!#DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/0gBxHJvcNh

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 12, 2024

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“Actually, when he played Rf2, I didn’t realise, I was almost going to play Rb3 but then I saw that his bishop is actually getting trapped and after Ke1, I have Ke5 and the pawn ending which is winning. When I realised, it was probably the best moment of my life," Gukesh said after joining the legendary Viswanathan Anand in the list of Indians to have been crowned chess world champions.

Also Read | ‘Gukesh you legend’, wishes pour in after Indian GM clinches historic title in Singapore

With Gukesh having the advantage of an extra pawn over Ding and having more than an hour at his disposal compared to less than 10 minutes for his opponent, the Chinese GM decided to call it quits and raised the white flag of surrender, signalling the end of his reign as world champion.

Ding would later admit it took him a while to realise he had blundered.

“It took me a while to realised I blundered… I think I played my best tournament in the year.

“I could be better, but considering yesterday’s luck, it’s a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets,” said Ding, who signed off by adding that he would continue to play.

‘Ding a real world champion’

Gukesh, however, would heap praise on his opponent after the game, describing him as a “real world champion”.

“We all know who Ding is. He has been one of the best players in history for several years. To see him struggling and see under how much pressure he faced, and the fight he gave… To me he is a real world champion.

“He fought like a true champion, and I’m really sorry for Ding and his team. I would like to thank my opponent first – this could not have been the same without him,” Gukesh added.

‘Can’t thank my parents enough’

Gukesh also credited his parents for their efforts and sacrifices over the years that played a central role in helping him become a chess world champion. While his mother Padma Kumari continued to support the family as a microbiologist, Gukesh’s father Rajnikanth had quit his job as an ENT surgeon in 2018 to accompany Gukesh in chess tournaments around the world.

“Whatever words I have is not enough for my parents. Both my parents right from the start – the dream was bigger for them than for me. They are both sports lovers – they did not get the chance to pursue their passion in their youth. When I was born they decided to support me in whatever I chose. They went to such lengths to support me – when I look back at it it’s just crazy. I can’t thank them enough. My whole journey – it’s not just for me but for them. I love them both.”

“In my career, I can’t say I have made personal sacrifices. But my parents… the most sacrifices have been done by my parents, by my family friends. We were not well-off – my parents had to face a lot of financial struggles. I did not realise it then, but my parents did a lot. There were times when we were running out of money and my parents friends helped out," Gukesh said during the post-match presser.