1. Wilhelm Steinitz (1886–1894)
2. Emanuel Lasker (1894–1921)
3. José Raúl Capablanca (1921–1927)
4. Alexander Alekhine (1927–1935, 1937–1946)
5. Max Euwe (1935–1937)
6. Mikhail Botvinnik (1948–1957, 1958–1960, 1961–1963)
7. Vasily Smyslov (1957–1958)
8. Mihail Tal (1960–1961)
9. Tigran Petrosian (1963–1969)
10. Boris Spassky (1969–1972)
11. Robert James Fischer (1972–1975)
12. Anatoly Karpov (1975–1985)
13. Garry Kasparov (1985–2000)
14. Vladimir Kramnik (2000–2007)
15. Viswanathan Anand (2007–2013)
16. Magnus Carlsen (2013–2023)
17. Ding Liren (2023–2024)
18. Gukesh Dommaraju (2024–)

Gukesh Dommaraju, born on May 29, 2006, is an Indian chess grandmaster and the current World Chess Champion. A recognized chess prodigy, he made history as the youngest undisputed world champion ever. He also became the youngest player to surpass a FIDE rating of 2750 at age 17 and the third-youngest to cross the 2700 Elo threshold at 16. Gukesh earned his grandmaster title at age 12, making him the third-youngest grandmaster in chess history.

Gukesh began playing chess at age seven. In 2018, he won the World Youth Chess Championship (U12) and earned several gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championship. By March 2017, he had already become an International Master. On January 15, 2019, at just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days old, he became the second-youngest grandmaster ever, behind only Sergey Karjakin.

In 2022, Gukesh played a crucial role in India’s chess accomplishments. He helped the Indian men’s team win the silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games. That same year, during the 44th Chess Olympiad, he secured a team bronze medal and an individual gold medal, further establishing his dominance on the global stage.

By September 2023, Gukesh had become the highest-rated Indian chess player, overtaking the legendary Viswanathan Anand, who had held the position for 37 years. This achievement marked a generational shift in Indian chess and demonstrated Gukesh’s rise to elite status.

In 2024, Gukesh’s career reached its peak. He became the youngest winner of the Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge Ding Liren for the world title. He then defeated Ding to become the 18th and youngest undisputed World Chess Champion, at the age of 18 years and 195 days.

Gukesh was born in Chennai to a Telugu-speaking family originally from Chenchuraju Kandriga, near Satyavedu in Andhra Pradesh. His mother, Padmakumari, is a microbiologist, and his father, Rajinikanth, an ENT surgeon, relocated to Chennai for his medical career. Gukesh studied at Velammal Vidyalaya School but left formal schooling after Class IV to pursue chess. In 2017, his father left his job to accompany him to tournaments. Friends of the family provided early financial support. Gukesh was recognized early on as part of India’s strong and growing chess ecosystem.