Indian Teen Gukesh Dommaraju Becomes Youngest Chess World Champion After Beating Chinese Rival

Gukesh Dommaraju of India looks on as he plays against Richard Rapport of Hungary during the Hungary vs. India match in the 6th round of the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, on Sept. 16, 2024. Tibor Illyes/MTI via AP

NEW DELHI—Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest chess world champion Thursday after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China in the final match of their series in Singapore.

Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in the contest, surpassing the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22.