Ding made a one-move blunder late in Game 14, which handed Gukesh the title-winning point and prevented tiebreakers. Ding Liren (R) and Gukesh Dommaraju compete in Game 1 on November 25, 2024.

Ding Liren became China’s first world chess champion in 2023 before hitting one of the most inexplicable slumps the game has ever seen. Now he’s locked in a tense battle to defend his crown.

Dommaraju unseated China's Ding Liren to become the new world chess champion. "Every chess player wants to experience this moment, and very few get the chance," Dommaraju said after the match.

Before game 14, Ding and Gukesh were tied with two wins each. It was widely expected the game would be a draw, setting the scene for a round of high-speed games to break the tie.

Teenager Gukesh Dommaraju of India became the youngest chess world champion by beating defending champion Ding Liren of China on Thursday in a dramatic turn of events in the last game of a 14-game ...