‘Indian earthquake in Toronto’: Garry Kasparov overjoyed after D Gukesh, 17, breaks his 40-year-old world record

Garry Kasparov, a Russian chess Grandmaster and a multiple-time world champion, was bowled over by 17-year-old Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh, who scripted history by winning the Candidates Chess Tournament on Monday. Gukesh became the youngest-ever challenger to the world title, bettering Kasparov’s record that stood for 40 years.

Gukesh played out an easy draw with American Hikaru Nakamura in the 14th and final round to finish with nine out of a possible 14 points in the tournament that is held to decide the challenger to the world champion.

Reacting to Gukesh’s historic achievement, Kasparov said “Indian earthquake in Toronto” is a signal of the shifting of power dynamics in world chess.

“Congratulations! The Indian earthquake in Toronto is the culmination of the shifting tectonic plates in the chess world as the 17-year-old Gukesh D will face the Chinese champion Ding Liren for the highest title,” the legendary player who held the No.1 ranking from 1984 till he retired from competitive chess in 2005,” he wrote on X.

Kasparov also credited former world no.1 Viswanathan Anand for Gukesh’s success. “The ‘children’ of Vishy Anand are on the loose!” he said.

The Chennai-based teen bettered Kasparov’s record by quite a distance as the Russian great was 22 when he qualified in 1984 to clash with compatriot Anatoly Karpov.

“So relieved and so happy. I was following this crazy game (between Fabio Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi), and then I went for a walk with my second (Gregorz Gazevsky), I think that helped,” Gukesh said after winning.

He became only the second Indian after the great Viswanathan Anand to win the prestigious tournament. Five-time world champion Anand’s triumph came in 2014.

“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,” Anand posted on ‘X’ to congratulate the youngster, who like him, also hails from Chennai.

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