Up-and-Coming Star Gukesh Takes Aim for History as Youngest Ever World Chess Champion
Singapore, November 25 - In a historic bid that promises to shake up the world of chess, India's 18-year-old sensation Gukesh Dhar is taking on China's defending champion Ding Liren in the upcoming World Chess Championship at Resorts World Sentosa.
Gukesh, who has already made history by becoming the youngest-ever player to compete in a World Chess Championship and winning the prestigious Candidates tournament, is looking to make his mark again as he takes on one of the greatest players of all time. The 2024 edition of the World Chess Championship will be watched by millions around the globe, and Gukesh's name is at the center of attention.
Gukesh's Road to History
Gukesh has already achieved remarkable milestones in his chess career, including winning the Candidates tournament and becoming the youngest player to compete in a World Chess Championship. His impressive performance has earned him praise from top grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, Hikaru Nakamura, and Anish Giri.
However, Gukesh is not underestimating his opponent. "For me it's pretty clear who I am facing," he said in a recent press conference. "Ding has been one of the best players in the world for over a decade. My job is pretty clear: go to every game as my best and try to win."
The Battle Ahead
Gukesh's form guide is an interesting indicator, with three classical games against Ding resulting in two wins out of three. Their last clash was at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, where Ding emerged victorious.
Currently, Gukesh is ranked world number five with a rating of 2783, while Ding is ranked world number twenty-three with a rating of 2728. The stakes are high, but Gukesh remains confident.
"I have a lot of faith in my second, Grzegorz Gajewski," he said. "He has been a huge influence on my chess career lately."
Ding, on the other hand, has had a boost with news that Hungary's Richard Rapport will be back as his second for this match.
"Richard and I have worked well together in the past," Ding said. "I believe our chances are good."
Who's Watching
The World Chess Championship event is being streamed by the FIDE YouTube channel on November 25, and fans from around the world can catch the excitement live.
The entire schedule of the match has been announced:
- Game 1: Monday, November 25 (2:30 pm IST)
- Games 2-14: Tuesday-Sunday, December 3-8
- Tie-breaks (if needed): Thursday, December 13
Prize Money
Each player will receive $2 million for every game they win. The winner is set to take home a staggering $13 million if he wins on tie-breaks.
The excitement is building up towards this historic showdown, and chess fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the clash between these two young talents.