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Xtra Time Web Desk: Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand continues to celebrate D Gukesh's remarkable victory at the World Chess Championship. On Friday, Anand took to social media to share an old photograph of himself with a young Gukesh, recalling the chess prodigy’s early promise. Referring to him as the "boy who would be king," Anand highlighted Gukesh's immense talent, which has now turned into a historic achievement.

On December 12, Gukesh stunned defending champion Ding Liren in a decisive final game to clinch the prestigious title. The victory makes Gukesh only the second Indian after Anand to claim the World Champion title. Notably, the 18-year-old broke Garry Kasparov's 38-year-old record by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion—Kasparov had achieved the feat at 22 in 1985.

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The boy who would be King@FIDE_chess @WacaChess pic.twitter.com/kN8eG7fijq

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) December 13, 2024

Gukesh’s journey has been closely mentored by Anand himself. He is among the first batch of players trained under the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), a platform founded by Anand to nurture young chess talents. WACA's guidance has played a vital role in Gukesh’s development, exposing him to some of the greatest minds in the game.

The championship match against Ding Liren was a thrilling contest. Both players were level at 6.5 points before the final game. Gukesh’s resilience and tactical brilliance shone through as Ding, playing with white, blundered on the 53rd move under relentless pressure. The mistake proved decisive, as Gukesh seized the advantage with a winning pawn position.

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An emotional Gukesh was seen shedding tears of joy following the historic win. In a display of humility and respect, the young champion applauded Ding for the hard-fought battle while carefully rearranging the chess pieces.

Anand's acknowledgment of Gukesh's triumph marks a proud moment for Indian chess, inspiring future generations. This victory cements India’s position as a powerhouse in global chess, with Gukesh now standing as a beacon of hope for aspiring players worldwide.