World Chess Championship 2024 - Ding Liren vs Gukesh D
The World Chess Championship started today between reigning champion, China's Ding Liren (2728 Elo, 32 y/o) and India's young prodigy Gukesh D. (2783 Elo, 18 y/o). It's taking place in Singapore with games starting at 5PM local time (10AM CET, 4AM EST). Commentated coverage can be found at Chess.com or FIDE as well as numerous smaller channels.
Coming into the match, Ding is far more experienced, but has been displaying terrible form since becoming World Champion. Meanwhile Gukesh has looked far stronger and has the chance to become the youngest World Champion ever, beating out the likes of Magnus Carlsen and Garry Kasparov by several years. Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen is still ranked as the #1 player in the world, but has declined to participate, just like last year.
The match is 14 games from November 23 to December 13, with potential rapid chess tiebreaks if the score is even after 14 games. The players will have a rest day after every 3 game days.
I haven't been as hyped about a chess game in a long time as after Ding's victory with the black pieces in game 1. I recommend GM Daniel King's recaps.
Ding is such a soft-spoken, introverted, shy character, he's never involved in any drama, and has seemingly struggled with mental health issues the past few years. Meanwhile I have nothing against Gukesh, amazing player and not at all arrogant or conceited, but Gukesh has many years ahead of him as an elite player. I was afraid this match would be a complete blowout, and I still expect Gukesh to bounce back shortly, but I'm just happy that it seems we have an actual match on our hands, not just a steam train of the younger generation overrunning the old.