Chennai: Tamil Nadu lad D Gukesh became Tuesday the second youngest Grandmaster in the world and the youngest Indian to achieve the feat at 12 years, seven months and 17 days, erasing the mark set by his state-mate R Praggnanandhaa in June last year. Praggnanandhaa was 12 years and 10 months old when he became Grandmaster.
Gukesh achieved his third and final GM norm at the ongoing 17th Delhi International Open Chess tournament in Delhi after beating compatriot DK Sharma in the ninth round. Incidentally he is India’s 59th GM.
Ukraine’s Sergey Karjakin remains the youngest-ever GM, having achieved the feat at the age of 12 years and seven months in 2002.
In December last, the Chennai boy had narrowly missed on the record when he lost his third round game against GM Daniele Vocaturo of Italy at the Sunway Sitges International in Barcelona.
The youngster, who idolises the legendary Bobby Fischer and India’s own Vishy Anand, told this agency after achieving the feat that he is very happy and excited.
“I am very happy and excited to have become a Grandmaster. I am delighted to have won the third (GM) norm and the title. I would like to play Anand Sir sometime,” Gukesh said over the phone.
“Before the game I didn’t feel any pressure, during the game I concentrated on the moves only. Did not think of anything else,” added the youngster.
PTI