World champion Gukesh and rapid champion Koneru Humpy felicitated by AICF

18-year-old Gukesh is the second Indian to win the prestigious world title after Viswanathan Anand. To honor this historic achievement, the AICF announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore for Gukesh and Rs 50 lakh for his support team.

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 01:08 PM (IST)
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World champion Gukesh and rapid champion Koneru Humpy felicitated by AICF
World champion Gukesh and rapid champion Koneru Humpy felicitated by AICF

On Thursday, the All India Chess Federation (FICF) felicitated world champion Gukesh Domraju. Gukesh has created history by becoming the youngest player to win this prestigious event. Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren in a dramatic 14-match encounter held in Singapore in December last year to become the undisputed king of chess.

18-year-old Gukesh is the second Indian to win the prestigious world title after Viswanathan Anand. To honor this historic achievement, the AICF announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore for Gukesh and Rs 50 lakh for his support team.

Besides, the AICF also felicitated India's number-1 woman chess player, Koneru Humpy. Recently, Humpy has won the 2024 FIDE Women's World Rapid Chess Championship, winning a world-class competition for the second time.

The 37-year-old Koneru defeated Iren Sukandar to win the title. Koneru was given a prize of Rs 50 lakh while R. Vaishali Rameshbabu, who won the bronze medal in the women's category of the 2024 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship, too was given Rs 20 lakh.

These fabulous victories of the Indian Grand Masters herald the arrival of the golden age of Indian chess. Throughout 2024, Indian Grand Masters dominated the world. They created history by winning gold at the FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Hungary, and later AICF awarded Rs 3.2 crore as a cash reward to the winners.

Congratulating him on this incredible achievement, AICF President Nitin Narang said, “It is a matter of great pride for us that our talented players are winning in the world of chess. As for Gukesh, your patience, perseverance, and never-say-die attitude make you the youngest World Champion today.”

Muskan Kumawat Journalist & Writer