In the storied history of Indian sports, 2024 will forever be remembered by a simple yet stunning chess move: 55. Rf2. With that stroke of genius, 18-year-old grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh dethroned defending champion Ding Liren to capture the World Chess Championship, becoming the youngest to ever wear the crown. The chess prodigy’s ascent marked the peak of a landmark year for India on the global sporting stage.
The Making of a King
Gukesh’s path to the pinnacle was paved with precocious achievement. He earned the grandmaster title at the tender age of 12, the second-youngest at the time. Gukesh then embarked on a meteoric rise up the world rankings, reaching the No. 2 spot behind only Ding Liren heading into their showdown.
I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I first touched a chess piece. To make it reality, at 18, is beyond my wildest imagination.
Dommaraju Gukesh, 2024 World Chess Champion
A Match for the Ages
Gukesh and Ding’s title clash captivated chess enthusiasts worldwide. After splitting the first two decisive games, a string of seven consecutive draws ratcheted up the tension. Gukesh then struck a crucial blow in Game 11, putting the champion on the brink. Ding hit back immediately to level the score and set the stage for a momentous finale.
- Game 1: Gukesh draws first blood
- Game 2: Ding equalizes with a win
- Game 3-10: 7 straight draws
- Game 11: Gukesh takes lead again
- Game 12: Ding levels the match
Ecstasy on the 55th
With the chess world preparing for tiebreaks, Game 14 seemed destined for a peaceful result. The position appeared completely drawish as the players entered the endgame. On his 55th turn, with one last twist remaining, Gukesh made rook move that will be immortalized in chess lore: Rf2. A stunned Ding could only sit and stare in disbelief before extending his hand in resignation. Gukesh had found the miracle move to snatch victory from the jaws of a dead-drawn position.
55. Rf2 is instantly one of the most famous moves in chess history. The sheer drama of finding that winning idea, under immense pressure, is what makes Gukesh a truly special talent.
Viswanathan Anand, 5-time World Chess Champion
India’s Crowning Moment
Gukesh’s crowning achievement headlined a year of unparalleled success for India across the sporting spectrum. 2024 also featured the men’s field hockey team recapturing Olympic gold, a first Grand Slam tennis title for the nation, and an unprecedented 5th Chess Olympiad victory. But it was Gukesh’s triumph, viewed live by millions around the globe, that marked India’s true arrival as a sporting superpower.
This is a seminal moment not just for Indian chess, but for Indian sport as a whole. Gukesh’s victory will inspire countless young players to chase their dreams. He’s a trailblazer who will spur this chess revolution forward.
Viswanathan Anand
As Dommaraju Gukesh begins his reign atop the chess world, his ultimate legacy is yet unwritten. But the manner of his title-winning move 55. Rf2, unforgettable and era-defining, symbolizes the limitless potential he and Indian sports now hold. The world is sure to hear much more from the king and country in the years to come.
