UPSC Prelims 2025 Q100: Current Affairs – Other Sports & Personalities
Consider the following statements:
I. In the finals of the 45th Chess Olympiad held in 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju became the world’s
youngest winner after defeating the Russian player Ian Nepomniacchtchi.
II. Abhimanyu Mishra, an American chess player, holds the record of becoming world’s youngest
ever Grandmaster.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) I only
- (b) II only
- (c) Both I and II
- (d) Neither I nor II
Answer: (b) II only
Explanation
Chess — Olympiad and World Records (2024)
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | In finals of 45th Chess Olympiad (2024), Gukesh became youngest winner after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi | FALSE | Multiple errors: (a) The Chess Olympiad is a TEAM competition - there are no individual finals; India won the TEAM gold at 45th Chess Olympiad (Budapest 2024). (b) Gukesh became World Chess Champion (individual) by defeating Ding Liren of China in December 2024 in Singapore - NOT Nepomniachtchi. (c) Nepomniachtchi is Russian; Ding Liren is Chinese. |
| II | Abhimanyu Mishra holds record of world's youngest-ever Grandmaster | TRUE | Abhimanyu Mishra (American chess player, Indian-origin) became the youngest Grandmaster in history on June 30, 2021 at age 12 years, 4 months, 25 days, breaking Sergey Karjakin's previous record. |
Only Statement II correct → Answer: II only
Chess Events 2024 — Key Facts:
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 45th Chess Olympiad | Budapest, Hungary, September 2024. India won TEAM gold (both Open and Women's) |
| World Chess Championship | Singapore, November-December 2024. Gukesh D beat Ding Liren (China) - became youngest World Chess Champion at 18 |
| Abhimanyu Mishra | Youngest GM ever (2021, age 12) - still holds the record |
| D. Gukesh | Youngest World Chess CHAMPION (not youngest GM; that's Abhimanyu) |
Answer: (b) II only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement I alone would require Gukesh to have beaten Nepomniachtchi in an individual Chess Olympiad final — multiple errors: Olympiad is a team event, Gukesh beat Ding Liren (not Nepomniachtchi), and it was the individual World Championship in Singapore.
- (b) CORRECT. Abhimanyu Mishra (born September 2009, American of Indian origin) became the world's youngest Grandmaster in June 2021 at age 12 years and ~4 months. This record stands.
- (c) Incorrect. 'Both I and II' would require Statement I to be correct — but the Olympiad is a team competition (not individual), and Gukesh defeated Ding Liren (China), not Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia).
- (d) Incorrect. 'Neither I nor II' would mean Abhimanyu Mishra's record is wrong — but his June 2021 GM title at age 12 is officially recognised and documented.
Key point
Gukesh = youngest World Chess CHAMPION (2024, beat Ding Liren, China). Abhimanyu Mishra = youngest-ever GM (2021, age 12). Chess Olympiad = TEAM event, not individual.
Remember
Abhimanyu Mishra = youngest-ever GM (2021, age 12). D. Gukesh = youngest World Chess Champion (2024, beat Ding Liren of China, NOT Nepomniachtchi). Chess Olympiad = team event.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russian, Gukesh's WCC 2023 predecessor-context) with Ding Liren (Chinese, actual 2024 opponent) — Gukesh beat DING LIREN in 2024.
- Thinking Chess Olympiad has individual finals — it's a team competition; India won team gold, not in individual combat.
- Confusing 'youngest World Chess Champion' (Gukesh, 18) with 'youngest Grandmaster' (Abhimanyu Mishra, 12) — two different records held by different people.
Exam tip
Two youngest chess records: (1) Youngest World CHAMPION = D. Gukesh (18, December 2024, beat Ding Liren of China in Singapore). (2) Youngest GM ever = Abhimanyu Mishra (12, June 2021, USA). Don't mix them up. Chess Olympiad = team gold for India (Budapest 2024).
Sources
- FIDE (World Chess Federation) — 2024 World Chess Championship Results
- FIDE — 45th Chess Olympiad, Budapest 2024
- FIDE — Youngest Grandmasters List (Abhimanyu Mishra, 2021)