D Gukesh is the winner of FIDE Candidates 2024 / Photo: FIDE

D Gukesh, India's 17-year-old chess sensation has made history by becoming the youngest player ever to clinch victory in the FIDE Candidates tournament in Toronto.

Gukesh's triumph surpasses a record set by Garry Kasparov four decades ago. He became only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the tournament. Five-time world champion Anand's triumph came in 2014.

With the win, the Indian also secured his place in the World Championship where he will face World number one China's Ding Liren.

Gukesh's journey to the championship began with a series of notable achievements, including securing an individual Gold at the 44th Chess Olympiad in 2022. His path to the Candidates tournament was solidified by his victory at the Chennai Grand Masters 2023 in December, organized by ChessBase India.

Reflecting on his triumph, Gukesh stated, "Right now I am just so relieved and so happy. I was following this crazy game. I was completely emotional, after the game finished, now I am feeling good." He attributed his success to his support system, acknowledging the contributions of his family, friends, and team members.

Despite becoming the youngest ever to win a FIDE Candidates tournament, Gukesh remained focused on the game itself rather than the records he set. "Right now I am mostly just happy about winning the tournament. I don't really care about youngest and all these records but you know it's a nice thing to say," he remarked.

Gukesh's pivotal moment came after a setback in the seventh game, where he suffered a loss to Firouzja. However, he found renewed motivation during the rest day and began to feel at his best, setting the stage for his eventual triumph.

Grzegorz Gajewski, Gukesh's second, emphasized the quality of his performance throughout the tournament. "Already a couple of days earlier, I was convinced that he is going to win the tournament, simply the quality of his moves was so high that he didn't do too many mistakes," Gajewski said in a press briefing.

India is exceptionally proud of @DGukesh on becoming the youngest-ever player to win the #FIDECandidates!

Gukesh's remarkable achievement at the Candidates in Toronto showcases his extraordinary talent and dedication.

His outstanding performance and journey to the top… pic.twitter.com/pfNhhRj7W2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2024

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded D Gukesh's historic victory and expressed the nation's pride in his accomplishment.

Congratulations to @DGukesh for becoming the youngest challenger. The @WacaChess family is so proud of what you have done . I’m personally very proud of how you played and handled tough situations. Enjoy the moment

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) April 22, 2024

Additionally, chess legend Vishwanath Anand extended his congratulations to Gukesh via X, acknowledging the significance of his triumph. Anand, a revered figure in the chess community and part of the World Academy of Chess and Education (WACA), expressed personal pride in Gukesh's performance and resilience in navigating challenging circumstances.