Indian Challenger D Gukesh Touted as Favourite Against Reigning Champion Ding Liren

In the highly anticipated 14-game World Championship match starting on Monday in Singapore, Indian challenger D Gukesh is facing stiff competition against reigning champion Ding Liren. The 22-year-old Indian chess prodigy has gained significant momentum, reaching a Elo rating of 2783, while Ding Liren, considered one of the best players currently ranked No.23 with an Elo rating of 2728.

While Gukesh's impressive Elo rating and recent wins make him the apparent favourite to win, experts caution that this match is far from guaranteed. The World Championship format lacks the mental cushion offered by smaller tournaments or round-robin events, putting a premium on strategic acumen and pure chess play. Tournament stalwarts RB Ramesh noted that too much strategy would be insufficient for this match, urging Gukesh to "just go and play normal chess."

Ramesh predicted that Gukesh's winning strategy would involve long games aimed at tiring Ding Liren out through mental strain. By constantly adding pressure on his opponent, he believed Gukesh could expose Ding's weaknesses over the board, leading to mistakes in critical positions.

Gukesh's impressive track record this year shows him capable of sustained performance, with 150 games played so far, compared to only about ten games lasting more than sixty moves among Ding Liren. Notably, Ramesh felt that it is crucial for Ding Liren to remain focused and concentrate on his own performance rather than worrying excessively about Gukesh's play.

The match sets the stage for an intriguing clash of two skilled players with vastly different past performances against elite opponents. As experts analyze Gukesh's chances, fans worldwide eagerly await Monday's start, ready to witness a thrilling showdown that might upend odds and challenge Ding Liren to prove himself anew.