Ding Liren, the reigning World champion from China, has experienced a recent decline in form, withdrawing from several tournaments since claiming the title in April 2023. His performance this year has been underwhelming, with a ninth-place finish at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee and a fifth-place finish at the Grenke Chess Classic in Karlsruhe, Germany. Despite these setbacks, Liren remains committed to making a strong comeback. Meanwhile, his challenger, 17-year-old D. Gukesh, who recently emerged victorious in the FIDE Candidates tournament, has declared his readiness to face Ding in their World championship match scheduled for November-December this year. Despite recognizing Ding’s formidable skills, Gukesh expressed confidence in his own abilities, stating, “We have played a few rapid games and some classical. Obviously, he’s a very strong player, quite universal. He’s been at the top for a long time. It will surely be exciting to play. But I think I’m ready for the challenge.” Upon his arrival in Chennai from Toronto, Gukesh received a warm welcome from his family and officials from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and his alma mater, Velammal. When asked about his preferred venue for the World championship, Gukesh expressed a willingness to play anywhere, emphasizing his focus on winning the match regardless of location. With only six months remaining before the highly anticipated event, Gukesh acknowledges the importance of maintaining momentum and has already planned his upcoming tournament schedule. “There are already some tournaments I’ve decided to play. Mainly the Grand Chess Tour, which is a tour of five events. I’ll be in Warsaw, Poland in a couple of weeks,” he said. Reflecting on his recent success in the Candidates tournament, Gukesh attributed his victory to his unwavering focus and discipline. He also expressed gratitude for the support he received from WestBridge Capital, WACA (WestBridge Anand Chess Academy), and his coach, Vishnu Prasanna. Acknowledging the inspiration he draws from five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh stated, “I can’t thank Vishy sir enough.” As the World championship draws near, both Ding Liren and D. Gukesh continue to prepare and hone their skills, promising an exciting and highly competitive match.
Ding Liren Vows Comeback as Gukesh Prepares for World Championship
