D Gukesh's Candidates Win 'Tectonic Shift' In World Chess Order: Garry Kasparov

It's "the Indian earthquake in Toronto", said Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov as he lauded teen Grandmaster D Gukesh for becoming the youngest ever challenger for the world title, a triumph which marks the "shifting tectonic plates" in the game's global order. (More Sports News)

 The 17-year-old Gukesh bettered the record created by none other than Kasparov 40 years ago. The Russian was 22 when he qualified in 1984 to clash with compatriot Anat꧅oly Karpov, making him the youngest challꦉenger of that time.

 "Congratulations! The Indian earthquake in Toronto is the culmination of the shifting tectonic plates in the chess world as the 17 year olꦍd Gukesh D will face the Chinese champion Ding Liren for the highest title," wrote Kasparov on 'X', obliquely referring to the R✅ussian domination of the past.

Gukesh played out an easy draw with American Hikaru Nakamura in the 14th and final round to finish with nine out of a possible 14 points in th🌸e tournament that is held to decide the challenger to the world champion.

The triumph entitles Gukesh a clash ag🌠ainst reigning𒈔 world champion Ding Liren of China in the last quarter of the year.

India's five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has spawned a chess culture in India and the country is reaping the rewards of the Grandmaster's success with thousands of youngsters, mostly in their teens, taki🥀ng up chess.

Kasparov acknowledge💯d Anand's contribution ౠto Indian chess, saying, "The 'children' of Vishy Anand are on the loose!"

Kasparov was responding to a congratulatory tweet by Grand Chess Tour following 𝓰Gukesh's success here.

"Congratulations to Gukesh D for his victory in the FIDE Candidates, securing his place as a challenger in the World Championship Match! We eagerly anticipate his participation in our grand c𓆉hess tour eওvents!," wrote Grand Chess Tour on 'X'.

In another social media post Kasparov highlighted the shift in power centre of chess, saying, "Look at the names of many of the top junior players in the USA and England to see tha𝕴t the Chinese and Indian diaspora are just as passionate to achieve at chess.

 "The Kasparov Chess Foundation has watched this wave rise and Gukesh's success will raise ꦺit further," Kasparov, the undis🌱puted world champion from 1985 till 1993, wrote on 'X'.

 Kasparov, following a dispute with the international chess federation (FIDE) set up a rival organisation, the Professional Chess Association. He was ranked world No. 1 for a record 255 months overall, from 1984 until his retirement from regular competitive chess in ⭕2005.