The world of chess is on the edge of its seat as an epic battle unfolds between China’s reigning World Chess Champion, Ding Liren, and India’s 18-year-old chess prodigy, Gukesh Dommaraju. This highly anticipated World Chess Championship match, taking place at Resorts World Sentosa, features a massive $2.5 million (£1.98 million) prize pool, making it one of the richest chess events ever.
Though their age gap means they’ve only competed three times in classical chess, the rivalry between Gukesh and Ding has already sparked major excitement. Ding leads their head-to-head record with two wins and one draw, with their most recent encounter being a victory for Ding at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, where Ding played the black pieces.
For Gukesh, this match represents an extraordinary opportunity. A win would make him the youngest-ever undisputed World Chess Champion, surpassing the legendary Garry Kasparov, who achieved the title at age 22 in 1985. Gukesh’s rapid rise in the chess world has caught the attention of experts, many predicting a stellar career for the young Indian grandmaster.
Gukesh’s chess journey began at just seven years old in Chennai, India, where his innate talent was discovered by his first coach, Bhaskar V. By the fourth grade, chess was his passion. Mentored by coaches Vijayanand and Vishnu Prasanna, Gukesh developed a strong tactical and positional understanding, focusing on intuition and calculations rather than relying on chess engines, a decision that has paid off in his precise and strategic play.
At 17, Gukesh made history by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, securing his place as the youngest challenger ever for the World Chess Championship. His victories against top chess stars like Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana at the event solidified his reputation. In 2022, he surpassed Viswanathan Anand to become India’s top-ranked chess player, a feat that marked a new chapter in Indian chess history.
The mentorship of Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion, has been pivotal to Gukesh’s growth. Anand has guided Gukesh’s development and connected him with world-class coaches. Additionally, Gukesh works with mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, renowned for his work with top athletes. Upton has praised Gukesh’s self-awareness, maturity, and dedication, adding another layer to his exceptional chess skills.
As this historic match unfolds, chess fans around the world eagerly await the outcome. Will Gukesh Dommaraju make history by defeating Ding Liren and claiming the World Chess Championship title? Or will Ding defend his crown? Only time will tell, but this clash is set to be a defining moment in chess history.
