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Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh is poised to make history as he prepares to face Chinese grandmaster Liren Ding in the upcoming FIDE World Championship contest in Singapore. Experts believe that Gukesh's exceptional talent and unwavering determination will lead him to victory by the 12th round.Gukesh, at just 18 years old, has already achieved remarkable feats. He became the youngest champion in the history of the Candidates Tournament and played a pivotal role in India's gold medal triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad. His exceptional accuracy and ability to avoid mistakes have earned him comparisons to the legendary Russian grandmaster Anatoly Karpov.Grandmasters Pravin Thipsay and Abhijit Kunte are confident in Gukesh's abilities. Thipsay believes that Gukesh's maturity and strength of character will prevail over Ding's experience. He notes that Gukesh's style resembles Karpov's, who was known for his patience and strategic brilliance.Kunte praises Gukesh's unwavering dedication to chess. He observes that everything Gukesh does is geared towards improving his game. This commitment, coupled with the support of his parents and coaches, has created an environment for him to excel.While Ding is a formidable opponent, Kunte believes that he is not the same player he once was due to his battle with depression. Gukesh, on the other hand, is in peak form and is the clear favorite.The upcoming contest is expected to be a battle of wits and endurance. Thipsay predicts that there will be no book novelties or extensive preparation, but rather an over-the-board battle where original moves and strategic thinking will prevail.

At the recently concluded Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the highly anticipated clash between India and China on the top board did not materialize. China opted to rest Ding Liren, the world's second-ranked player, against India's rising star, D. Gukesh.Gukesh, 18, expressed no disappointment over the missed opportunity. "We thought it was likely Ding would play, but there was a chance he might not because he had lost the previous round," said Gukesh. "I was ready for both scenarios."Despite the absence of Ding, Gukesh's performance at the Olympiad was exceptional. He won the individual gold medal for the second consecutive time, playing a pivotal role in India's dominant victory."It was a very special performance for me," said Gukesh. "I'm glad with how I played and handled different situations."Gukesh's confidence has soared ahead of his upcoming World Championship match against Ding, scheduled to begin on November 23 in Singapore. However, he remains unfazed by the pressure."The pressure is about just playing in the World Championship," said Gukesh. "For me, it's just a match against a very strong player. I'm sure Ding will come to the match with the right spirit and give it his best. My approach is to treat every game with the utmost respect and energy."Gukesh's exceptional performance at the Olympiad has not only boosted his confidence but also raised expectations for his World Championship match. As he prepares for the biggest challenge of his career, Gukesh remains focused and determined to give it his all.

Grandmaster D Gukesh, a rising star in the chess world, has led the Indian men's team to a historic victory at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Gukesh, who is set to challenge for the World Championship title in November, showcased his exceptional skills and nerves of steel against top-seeded teams.In a crucial match against Fabiano Caruana of the United States, Gukesh employed a Catalan opening, which led to a complex middle game. Gukesh seized the initiative, capturing a pawn and forcing Caruana into a difficult position. Under pressure, Caruana faltered and lost a second pawn, allowing Gukesh to enter a winning endgame.Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa fought valiantly against Wesley So, but the American team gained an early lead. However, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi remained composed, securing victories against Lenier Dominguez Perez and Levon Aronian, respectively.With one round remaining, the Indian men's team is poised to claim their first-ever Olympiad gold medal. Their triumph is a testament to their talent, determination, and the growing strength of Indian chess.On the women's side, Divya Deshmukh continued to shine, defeating Ni Shiqun of China on board three. R Vaishali also played a crucial role, holding her own against Guo Qi and forcing a draw. D Harika and Vantika Agarwal secured draws on the top and second boards, respectively.With Georgia expected to defeat Kazakhstan, the Indian women's team is likely to regain the top position and become the favorites for the gold medal. Their performance has been equally impressive, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian chess.

In the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the Indian women's team continued their impressive run with a 3-1 victory over second-seeded Georgia, while the men's team defeated China 2.5-1.5.Grandmaster R Vaishali and Vantika Agrawal led the charge for the women's team, securing crucial wins against Lela Javakhishvili and Bella Khotenashvili, respectively. Despite a draw by D Harika and a loss by Divya Deshmukh, Vantika's remarkable time management skills sealed India's seventh consecutive victory.The Indian women now boast an impressive 14 points out of a possible 14, extending their lead to two points over Poland, Kazakhstan, and France.In the open section, World Championship challenger D Gukesh led the Indian men to victory over China. Playing with the white pieces, Gukesh navigated a Closed Sicilian to a drawn endgame but remained focused to exploit a mistake by Chinese top board Wei Yi.Despite speculation of a potential clash between Gukesh and Ding Liren, the reigning world champion was rested by the Chinese team. R Praggnanandhaa drew quickly as black against Yangyi Yu, while P Harikrishna's efforts against Wang Yue resulted in an equal rook and pawns endgame.Arjun Erigaise's aggressive play against Bu Xiangzhi was met with a clever piece sacrifice, forcing a draw through repetition.With four rounds remaining, the Indian men have maintained a perfect score, matching their female counterparts. Iran is the closest pursuer with 13 points, followed by Serbia, Hungary, Armenia, and defending champions Uzbekistan with 12 points each.In the next round, the Indian men will face Iran, while the women will take on Poland.

Defending world chess champion Ding Liren has conceded that his Indian challenger, D Gukesh, is the favorite to win their upcoming title showdown in November. Liren's admission comes as Gukesh has been in impressive form at the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad, leading the Indian team to five consecutive victories."I can see my opponent (Gukesh) playing extremely well in this tournament. Maybe he is a favorite in the World Championship Match. He also has a higher rating than me," Liren said in an interview with the International Chess Federation (FIDE).Liren, who won the world crown in May 2022, has struggled for form in the past year. He took a break from the game due to depression and returned to action earlier this year at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, finishing ninth.Gukesh, on the other hand, has been on a meteoric rise. He became the youngest challenger to the world title at the age of 17 after winning the Candidates tournament in April.The two will clash in Singapore from November 20 to December 15 for the coveted title and a prize fund of USD 2.50 million. Should Gukesh prevail, he would become the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to claim the title.Liren acknowledged the possibility of a close battle between India and China for the gold medal in the Olympiad. "We are two very strong teams. We have a chance to fight for the gold medal," he said.Gukesh, however, remained cautious, saying that all participating teams are strong. "All countries are strong, we have to come everyday with the right spirit...We have a nice mood in the team, it's enjoyable," he said.

In the highly anticipated first encounter between reigning World Champion Ding Liren and 18-year-old Indian prodigy D Gukesh at the Sinquefield Cup, the two chess titans played out a tense draw in Round 1.Despite Ding's 2-0 advantage over Gukesh in classical chess, the Indian teen held his own, showcasing his remarkable talent. The game began with Ding holding the White pieces, and on move 18, Gukesh made a surprising decision that drew criticism from commentators.Gukesh pushed his Black pawn to d4, opening up a potential mating threat on the kingside. Ding, with his hands resting on his face, pondered his next move for half an hour before playing the anticipated Queen to h6. However, he loosened his grip with a subsequent bd3 move, allowing Gukesh to create a passed pawn and counterplay opportunities.Earlier in the day, Gukesh was spotted entering the World Chess Hall of Fame with his trainer and father. The teen recently received a Mercedes-Benz E-class as a gift from his Chennai school. Despite his recent success, Ding has dropped to his lowest ranking since 2016, while Gukesh has reached his highest-ever ranking of world no. 6.After the game, Ding admitted to wanting to surprise Gukesh in the opening while preserving his preparation. He also acknowledged his improved form and the lessons he has learned from his recent losses.The draw in Round 1 sets the stage for an intriguing rematch between the two players later this year in their World Championship match. Gukesh's performance against the reigning champion demonstrates his potential to challenge for the highest honor in chess.

Singapore's Kevin Goh Wei Ming, the CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, played a pivotal role in securing the hosting rights for the World Chess Championship between reigning champion Ding Liren and rising star D Gukesh. The championship will be held in Singapore later this year, marking the first time the event will be held in Southeast Asia since 1978.Goh's relationship with both players played a significant role in Singapore's successful bid. He has known Ding for several years and even played football with him during the Asian Indoor Games. Goh also contributed to Gukesh's path to greatness by losing to him in the 2018 Bangkok Open, helping Gukesh earn his first GM norm.Goh believes that Singapore's neutrality was a key factor in winning the bid over two Indian cities. He also credits the support of Sports Singapore, the government agency responsible for hosting major sporting events.The World Championship is expected to have a significant impact on chess in Singapore. Goh hopes that the event will inspire more interest in the game and highlight its benefits for different social groups. He also plans to create an immersive fan experience, including fan zones, master classes, and simultaneous exhibitions by chess legends.Goh acknowledges the potential for an influx of Indian chess fans and welcomes them to Singapore. He believes that the championship will be a great opportunity for Indian tourists to visit the country.Singapore has seen a surge in chess popularity since the pandemic. The number of school children participating in national age group tournaments has increased significantly. Goh attributes this growth to a shift in mindset among parents, who are now recognizing the benefits of chess for their children's development.Despite the growth, Singapore still faces challenges in terms of training and funding. Goh hopes that the World Championship will help attract more sponsors and support for chess development in the country.

India is poised to submit a bid to host the prestigious World Chess Championship later this year, with Delhi's state-of-the-art India International Convention and Expo Centre, 'Yashobhoomi,' as the proposed venue. The bid is being spearheaded by the All India Chess Federation, which has secured a No Objection Certificate from the government.The World Chess Championship, scheduled for November 20 to December 15, will feature reigning world champion Ding Liren of China and 18-year-old Indian challenger D Gukesh. The match will be a best-of-14-game affair, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner.India has previously hosted the World Chess Championship once, in 2013, when Viswanathan Anand faced Magnus Carlsen in Chennai. The match was organized at a cost of ₹29 crores.The India International Convention and Expo Centre, 'Yashobhoomi,' is a sprawling complex that covers an area of 1.07 lakh sq.m. and boasts 15 convention rooms, including a main auditorium, grand ballroom, and 13 meeting rooms. It can accommodate up to 11,000 delegates.The International Chess Federation (Fide) has set a minimum total budget of $8.5 million for the hosting of the championship, including a prize fund of at least $2.5 million and a Fide fee of $1.1 million. The remaining $4.9 million is allocated for anti-cheating measures, broadcast, and technological upgrades.Singapore has also expressed interest in hosting the match, citing its neutral status and the presence of both Chinese and Indian cultures in its society. However, the country has acknowledged that the hosting costs may be prohibitive.The last date for bid submission to Fide is May 31, and the decision on the host is expected to be made in June.

India's chess prodigy, D Gukesh, has emerged as a global sensation after becoming the youngest-ever challenger to the world title. Inspired by the resilience of MS Dhoni and Novak Djokovic under pressure, Gukesh attributes his success to their unwavering mental fortitude.At just 17, Gukesh shattered Garry Kasparov's 40-year-old record by winning the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto. This historic triumph grants him the opportunity to face reigning world champion Ding Liren of China later this year.Gukesh's admiration for Dhoni and Djokovic stems from their ability to perform at their peak under intense scrutiny. "They are big-game players who always come out on top and bring out their best when needed," he said. "That's why I'm attracted to them."While Dhoni led India to two World Cup victories and five IPL titles, Djokovic has amassed a record 24 Grand Slam titles. Gukesh also draws inspiration from Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world champion who recently forfeited his qualification spot for 2024."There are a lot of things you can learn from him," Gukesh said of Carlsen. "Not just chess, but also the mental attitude. He has one of the best mentalities in the world in any sport."Despite the inherent nervousness associated with chess, Gukesh believes that experience helps players manage their emotions. "We all get nervous, but with experience, we all learn how to deal with it," he said.Gukesh is eagerly anticipating his clash with Ding Liren and is confident in his preparations. The All India Chess Federation is exploring the possibility of hosting the world title contest in India.Kasparov, a legendary chess player, praised Gukesh's achievement, calling him "the Indian earthquake in Toronto." Gukesh expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, "Kasparov is one of my heroes, and to get a huge compliment from him means a lot."Beyond chess, Gukesh is an avid sports enthusiast, particularly enjoying tennis. "I like to play some sports, and generally, I am just in love with sports," he said.