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Susan Polgar on Gukesh’s mentor Viswanathan Anand: ‘Your place in chess history is now etched in stone’

Susan Polgar says Gukesh will inspire millions of kids around the globe and will be the best Chess ambassador.

India's Candidates contenders: Indian chess masters Vidit Gujarathi,D Gukesh,Viswanathan Anand, R. Praggnandhhaa,Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna at the draw of men's Tata Steel Chess India tournament in Kolkata on Monday, September 04, 2023.Express photo. by Partha Paul.

Viswanathan Anand with Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, Praggnanandhaaand Arjun Erigaisi. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Chess legend Susan Polgar hailed Gukesh’s mentor Viswanathan Anand for hos contribution to the chess after the 18-year-old become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport.

“To my friend @vishy64theking, your vision and passion for chess have come full circle! Your place in chess history, on and off the chess board, is now etched in stone! Congratulations,” she wrote on X.

Indian teenager Gukesh D became the youngest chess world champion Thursday after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China in the final match of their series in Singapore.

The moment so many have dreamed about but only 18 on the entire planet in the history of chess have experienced it! And this 18 year old, the youngest ever, the undisputed champion of the world, just had his name engraved to this illustrious list!

He will inspire millions of… https://t.co/kh3bQesZ9c

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) December 13, 2024

Gukesh, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in the contest, surpassing the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22.

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The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.

Susan Polgar said Gukesh will inspire millions of kids around the globe and will be the best Chess ambassador.

“The moment so many have dreamed about but only 18 on the entire planet in the history of chess have experienced it!

“And this 18 year old, the youngest ever, the undisputed champion of the world, just had his name engraved to this illustrious list.

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“He will inspire millions of kids around the globe, especially in India. He will be the best chess ambassador ever.

“He is young, professional, friendly, mature, humble, classy, respectful, charismatic, well dressed, well spoken, and well mannered.

“Chess is in a great place! For the millionth time, congratulations to Gukesh, his loving family, his magnificent team, the supportive Indian Chess Federation, the entire enthusiastic Indian chess community,” she said.