NEW DELHI — In a historic achievement, Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju claimed the title of the youngest chess world champion on Thursday by defeating the reigning champion, Ding Liren from China, during their final match held in Singapore.

At just 18 years of age, Dommaraju amassed a total of 7.5 points, edging out Ding Liren’s 6.5 points in a thrilling contest that sees him surpassing the previous record held by Russia’s Garry Kasparov, who captured the championship at the age of 22.

Widely recognized as a chess prodigy, Dommaraju became a grandmaster at the young age of 12. His participation in the finals marked him as the youngest challenger for the world title after convincingly winning this year’s Candidates tournament.

Following his victory, Dommaraju was overtaken by emotion, shedding tears of joy as he celebrated by raising his arms victoriously.

“I have been dreaming of this moment for the past decade. It feels incredible to have turned that dream into reality,” he shared with reporters after the match.

With this win, he becomes the second Indian to secure the championship title, following in the footsteps of the legendary five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.

Anand expressed his pride in Dommaraju’s achievement, stating, “This is a remarkable moment for chess, an extraordinary moment for India, and a deeply personal moment of pride for me.” Anand has been a mentor to Dommaraju throughout his journey.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his congratulations to the young champion, praising his “exceptional achievement,” attributing it to his immense talent, diligent effort, and steadfast determination.

“His victory has not only secured his place in the annals of chess history but also serves as an inspiration for countless young individuals to aspire for greatness and pursue their dreams,” Modi remarked in a social media post.

The final match was part of a 14-round classical event, featuring a significant prize fund of $2.5 million.