World Chess Championship Ends after a thrilling 14th Game, Sparking a Chess Craze In Singapore

The 2024 FIDE World Championship in Singapore has come to an end, with 18-year-old teenager, Gukesh Dommaraju of India emerging victorious after a gruling 14-match battle with the defending World Champion, Ding Liren from China.

Gukesh has also become the second Indian after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand to hold the title.

A tense championship which was decided in the last game

The championship title was decided only in the 14th game, with one win for each player and all the other 11 games ended as a draw.

Many spectators and commentators alike thought that the game was heading toward a draw, but Ding snapped under the pressure and made a terrible blunder that not only cost him the game but his crown as the reigning world champion.

After winning the game, 18-year-old Gukesh burst into tears, putting his face in both hands when he realised he was the new world champion.

Cheers could also be heard from the viewing rooms as Gukesh fans cheered for him.

Good for the chess landscape in Singapore

Chess championships, which are often held in Europe and the USA, and it is not often that a country like Singapore could host such a grand event.

And this event could be a huge help in promoting chess in our little red dot. Chess, in fact, has been a growing trend in recent years with young players, some as young as 7, taking up the game seriously.

The rise in chess popularity had led to a surge in demand for chess-related activities, with many chess clubs reaching full capacity and even establishing a waiting list for weekly classes.

As the World Chess championship comes to an end, the excitement surrounding the game will continue to linger and leave a lasting impact on the Singapore's chess scene, inspiring a new generation of players eager to take their place on the chessboard.