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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.

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.

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.

Indian chess is experiencing a surge of excitement and optimism. With a 17-year-old Grandmaster poised to challenge for the world championship and a new leadership team at the All India Chess Federation (AICF), the future looks bright.AICF President Nitin Narang has unveiled an ambitious ₹65 crore action plan, outlining measures to support players, enhance infrastructure, and promote the game at the grassroots level. The plan includes cash rewards for top players, contracts for age-group players, and the establishment of 20 online academies to provide coaching to promising young talents.Narang emphasizes the importance of sustainability and transparency in the federation's operations. He has secured funding commitments from several partners and plans to increase revenue through initiatives such as a national rating system and a unified registration process.The AICF is also exploring the possibility of hosting the Gukesh vs Ding Liren World Chess Championship in India later this year. Narang acknowledges the challenges involved but remains optimistic about securing the bid.To address the need for qualified coaches, the AICF will implement a "Train the Trainers" program. The federation also plans to incentivize chess content creators to promote the game and inspire aspiring players.Narang recognizes the importance of supporting women in chess and has introduced several initiatives, including increased representation in arbitration and expanded events under the "Smart Girl" program.The AICF's focus on grassroots development includes the establishment of district-level academies and a robust policy framework to ensure the proper training and support of young players.Narang emphasizes the need for an active and responsive federation that listens to stakeholders and addresses their concerns. He encourages feedback and ideas to enhance the action plan and build a sustainable and thriving chess ecosystem in India.