D Gukesh To Take On Ding Liren in 138-Year-First Asian Clash at World Chess Championship
Singapore: 25 November, 2023 - The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two world-class players as D Gukesh of India faces off against reigning champion Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship 2024, which commences from Monday (November 25) at 2:30 pm IST.
As the first Asian player to contest the marquee match since 1886, 18-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh is aiming to revolutionize India's chess history by becoming the country's first-ever World Chess Champion. With his impressive display of poise and championship-level play in recent times, Gukesh has established himself as a formidable contender.
Gukesh's opponent, Ding Liren, had won the 2023 title after an epic battle with Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi, but since then, the Chinese Grandmaster has struggled with mental health issues. Despite this form dip, he acknowledged that Gukesh has gained significant momentum in his game in comparison to his recent decline.
"I am feeling confident about my performance," Gukesh stated ahead of the tournament, "If I do the right things, I'm confident I have all the chances in the world." Ding Liren conceded that his opponent is the favourite at this point but expected an exciting contest. "He is younger, but he displayed his virtue in many aspects. If we can both perform our best, it will be a great match," he said.
This year's tournament features a prize fund of $2.5 million and consists of up to 14 classical games with the winner being the first to score 7.5 points. The stage will now witness a clash between Asian tradition (China) and youthful vigor (India), marking an exciting new chapter in world chess.
Here is the schedule and match timings for the World Chess Championship:
- Round 1: Monday, November 25
- Regular Rounds till Round 14: November 27 to December 12
- Tie-Break if needed: December 13
- Closing Ceremony: December 14
The matches will be live-streamed on FIDE social media handles (YouTube, Twitch) and Chess.com social media handles (YouTube, Twitch).