PM Modi, Sachin Tendulkar lead praise for Gukesh D as he becomes second Indian to win candidates tournament

Published at :April 22, 2024 at 6:16 PM

Modified at :April 22, 2024 at 6:16 PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chess World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen have also reacted to Gukesh’s performance

Indian chess grandmaster Gukesh D made history by winning the 2024 FIDE Candidates in Toronto, Canada, on Monday. The 17-year-old outplayed the likes of Hikaru Nakamura, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Fabiano Caruana to clinch the prestigious title.

After Indian legend Viswanathan Anand, who won the tournament in 1994/95 at the age of 25, Gukesh D has become only the second Indian to triumph at Candidates, one of the most distinguished events in the chess world.

The 17-year-old is also the youngest player in the competition’s history to win the tournament. Before Gukesh, chess great Garry Kasparov was the youngest to reach the milestone, he did that at the age of 20, while Magnus Carlsen won the FIDE Candidates when he was 22 years old.

Vidit Gujrathi and Praggnanandhaa also participated in the tournament from the Indian side. In the last match, the 17-year-old held Japanese Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura for a draw. On the other board, the likes of Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana agreed to a draw after a gruelling battle of 109 moves.

Consequently, the Indian chess star has also become the youngest player to compete at the World Chess Championship. Following the series of triumphs, the young Indian chess grandmaster attracted praise from famous personalities globally. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, who initially claimed that the 17-year-old was expected to have a forgettable campaign in Canada, came forward to praise Gukesh D for his win.

Apart from Magnus Carlsen, several other top personalities heaped praise on Gukesh D, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sachin Tendulkar. Let’s look at the reactions as the Indian Chess Grandmaster bagged the prestigious Candidates title on Monday, becoming only the second Indian to do so:

India is exceptionally proud of @DGukesh on becoming the youngest-ever player to win the #FIDECandidates! Gukesh's remarkable achievement at the Candidates in Toronto showcases his extraordinary talent and dedication. His outstanding performance and journey to the top… pic.twitter.com/pfNhhRj7W2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2024

What a triumph, @DGukesh! The youngest ever to win the FIDE Candidates—at only 17! Your journey from here leads to the World Championship, and we'll be with you at every move.Go make history! 🇮🇳 ♟️#FIDECandidates pic.twitter.com/0Gw2QddBIO
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 22, 2024

Congratulations to the 17-year-old Grandmaster @DGukesh for becoming the youngest player ever to win the Candidates Tournament, surpassing the record of Chess Great Garry Kasporov, who claimed this title at 22 years of age. With this win, you have not only made history but… pic.twitter.com/amZeGEugOf
— Anurag Thakur (मोदी का परिवार) (@ianuragthakur) April 22, 2024

This was Magnus Carlsen’s prediction for the #candidates2024 Perhaps Magnus wasn’t grossly wrong—at the point when he made the prediction. What this shows, I think, is the incredible speed at which Gukesh is evolving. By the time he plays Ding Liren, he will have evolved… pic.twitter.com/CzNelO5XCD
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 22, 2024

GOAT @DGukesh ! 🙌👑Gukesh D, made history as the youngest ever to clinch the #FIDECandidates Tournament. Gukesh, you're not just playing the game; you're paving a path for the future & we all are super proud of you!Under the visionary leadership and pro player initiatives of… pic.twitter.com/RDVLJVk6lc
— Nitin Narang (@narangnitin) April 22, 2024

Will show this to my kids someday. Gukesh ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/DdvS0ULmBw
— Samay Raina (@ReheSamay) April 22, 2024

Dommaraju Gukesh. Know his name. This 17 year old boy has just won the Candidates tournament!!! He will play current WCC Ding Loren for the WCC title. India keeps winning, Gukesh the lionhearted champ!!! 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 Youngest Candidates Winner and next Youngest World chessChampion for… pic.twitter.com/Rpi0N2zung
— Gagan Pratap 🇮🇳 (@GaganPratapMath) April 22, 2024

WE DID IT!!! 🇮🇳Grandmaster D Gukesh from India is a champion of FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament this year!He is second India to do this, first was Vishwanathan Anand.Gukesh is only 17 year old. Golden era of India chess has just begun!pic: @ChessbaseIndia pic.twitter.com/oUiTn4i0nD
— Open Letter (@openletteryt) April 22, 2024

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history by becoming youngest-ever contender for World Chess ChampionshipHe clinched FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament, surpassing Kasparov's record set 40 years agoKasparov was 22 when he achieved this feat. Gukesh achieved it at the age of 17. pic.twitter.com/oohF5fPcCW
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) April 22, 2024

17 year old boy #Gukesh makes history by becoming the youngest-ever World Championship contender. India's future in chess is very bright. ❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/dFbD6lJiCP
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) April 22, 2024

And the answer is: GUKESH!His concentration and focus are outstanding! His dedication, good nerves, calmness. He is also very strong in being in his presence. Superb performance! Congrats to Gukesh for winning #FIDECandidates 2024!💪✨👍#ChessConnectsUs @wwwchesscom pic.twitter.com/2WbW9Of8fy
— Judit Polgar (@GMJuditPolgar) April 22, 2024

Congrats to Gukesh on winning the Candidates!! What a tournament 👏 I knew he was special ever since our first game. He was just 12 years old (but already a GM! 🤯 ) While analysing, both his mature attitude and his calculation skills impressed me hugely. Future world champ? 🌟 pic.twitter.com/9WkkkFXeDg
— David Howell (@DavidHowellGM) April 22, 2024

PM Modi, Sachin Tendulkar lead praise for Gukesh D as he becomes second Indian to win candidates tournament

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chess World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen have also reacted to Gukesh’s performance

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