D. Gukesh Dommaraju, born May 29, 2006, stands as Indian chess's brightest sensation. At just 18 years old, he became the youngest undisputed world chess champion in history, defeating defending champion Ding Liren 7.5–6.5 in Singapore on December 12, 2024. This achievement surpasses Garry Kasparov's previous record by over four years.​ The Tamil Nadu prodigy claimed the title through a remarkable ascent: he became the third-youngest grandmaster at just 12 years and 7 months old. In September 2023, he ended Viswanathan Anand's 37-year reign as India's top-rated player. His 2024 dominance reached its apex when he won the Candidates Tournament in April as its youngest-ever winner, securing his rightful challenge to the world championship.​ At the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Gukesh delivered a perfect 9/10 performance on board one, leading India to their first-ever team gold medal. Currently ranked among the world's elite, Gukesh is the second Indian world champion after Viswanathan Anand, marking a historic moment for Indian chess's global prominence.​