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Ding Liren, the reigning world chess champion from China, said that challenger Dommaraju Gukesh from India is a favourite to win the World Chess Championship match against him in two months’ time. The Chinese grandmaster conceded that he has dropped off quite a lot since last year, but he will be pushing himself to get the better of Dommaraju Gukesh in Singapore from November 20 to December 15 during their World Chess Championship match.
Notably, Ding Liren and Dommaraju Gukesh are currently playing for their respective countries in the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, topping the standings with five consecutive victories in the opening five rounds alongside hosts Hungary. Dommaraju Gukesh is part of the Indian chess team with names like R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Arjun Erigaisi, making a mark in the Chess Olympiad in the early stages.
Maybe he is a favourite in the World Championship match: Ding Liren on Dommaraju Gukesh
During an interaction with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in the mixed zone for the 45th Chess Olympiad, Ding Liren spoke about his upcoming World Chess Championship match and the challenger Dommaraju Gukesh in particular. He was quoted as saying as per PTI, “I can see my opponent (Dommaraju Gukesh) playing extremely well in this tournament. Maybe he is a favourite in the World Championship match. He also has a higher rating than me.”
Ding Liren, who is the highest rated chess player of all-time, also alluded to the tough run of results for him on the circuit since winning the World Chess Championship match against Russia's Ina Nepomniachtchi in May of last year. He was happy to admit that “I have dropped a lot since last year, but I will fight my best to try to overcome the rating difference.”
Moreover, the prize pool for the World Chess Championship match between Ding Liren and Dommaraju Gukesh is $2.5 million, which will be distributed on the basis of the result of the highly anticipated contest at the end of this year.
