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.

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.

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.

Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest world chess champion Thursday when he beat champion Ding Liren in the final match of the World Chess Championship in Singapore. The 18-year-old phenom, who ...

Ding Liren, top right, and Gukesh Dommaraju, top left, are seen during Game 1 of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore on November 25, 2024. (Then Chih Wey / Xinhua via Getty Images) ...

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 ...

Ding Liren lost the deciding game of the match after a dramatic blunder. How Hwee Young / AAP On his 55th move, Ding offered a trade of rooks, attempting to simplify the position and steer the ...