The Ultimate Guide to World Chess Championship

The World Chess Championship stands as the pinnacle of competitive chess, where the reigning champion defends their title against a formidable challenger. Organized biennially by the World Chess Federation (FIDE), the championship showcases the highest level of strategic play and mental prowess.

2024 Championship: Gukesh Dommaraju Makes History

In a historic turn of events, Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old prodigy from India, clinched the World Chess Champion title in December 2024.

He triumphed over the defending champion, Ding Liren of China, with a final score of 7.5–6.5 in a 14-game match held in Singapore. This victory made Gukesh the youngest undisputed world champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record set in 1985.

Path to the Championship: The Candidates Tournament

Gukesh earned his spot in the championship by winning the 2024 Candidates Tournament, held in Toronto, Canada. The tournament featured eight elite players competing in a double round-robin format. Gukesh secured first place with 9 out of 14 points, edging out top contenders like Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Qualification Routes for the Candidates Tournament

Players qualify for the Candidates Tournament through various avenues:

  • FIDE World Cup: Top finishers earn spots.
  • FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament: The winner qualifies.
  • FIDE Grand Prix: Top performers secure places.
  • Rating Qualification: The highest-rated player not already qualified.
  • Wildcard Entry: Selected by FIDE.
  • Previous World Championship Runner-Up: Automatically qualifies.

Championship Match Format

The World Chess Championship match consists of:

  • 14 Classical Games: Each player has 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, and 15 minutes for the remainder of the game. A 30-second increment per move is added throughout.
  • Tiebreaks: If the match is tied after 14 games, rapid and blitz games are played to determine the winner. An Armageddon game is used if necessary.

Recent Champions (2006–2024)

YearChampionRunner-Up
2006Vladimir KramnikVeselin Topalov
2007Viswanathan AnandVladimir Kramnik
2008Viswanathan AnandVladimir Kramnik
2010Viswanathan AnandVeselin Topalov
2012Viswanathan AnandBoris Gelfand
2013Magnus CarlsenViswanathan Anand
2014Magnus CarlsenViswanathan Anand
2016Magnus CarlsenSergey Karjakin
2018Magnus CarlsenFabiano Caruana
2021Magnus CarlsenIan Nepomniachtchi
2023Ding LirenIan Nepomniachtchi
2024Gukesh DommarajuDing Liren

Looking Ahead: The 2025 Chess Landscape

As of April 2025, the chess world is abuzz with anticipation for the next cycle of the World Chess Championship. Gukesh Dommaraju, the reigning champion, continues to demonstrate exceptional form in various tournaments, solidifying his position at the top. The upcoming Candidates Tournament will determine his next challenger, promising another thrilling chapter in chess history.


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