One of the highlights of the chess calendar starts in Singapore today: the World Chess Championship 2024. With the reigning world champion Ding Liren from China and the 18-year-old challenger Dommaraju Gukesh from India, two generations and two very different starting points come together.
Ding Liren – The world champion under pressure
Ding Liren, who became the first Chinese to win the world title in 2023, is under immense pressure. His form curve has been pointing downwards for months and he has been waiting for a win in a classic game since January 2024. This weakness has also become noticeable in the world rankings: the reigning champion has now slipped to 23rd place – an unusual position for a world champion. Experts doubt whether he can fend off the attack of the in-form challenger.
Gukesh – A child prodigy reaches for the crown
On the other side of the board, Dommaraju Gukesh, is a player who has had a meteoric rise. As the youngest challenger in the history of the World Chess Championship, the Indian has already celebrated impressive successes. With 5th place in the world rankings and his victory in the 2024 Candidates Tournament, Gukesh is even considered the favorite for the title. His offensive and creative style of play makes him a real threat to Ding Liren.
The mode: Who will be world champion?
The World Chess Championship spans 14 games in which each player tries to reach 7.5 points first. If there is a draw after the regular games, the world champion will be determined in a tie-break with a shortened time limit.
The games start daily at 5:00 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. CET) and are broadcast live worldwide on platforms such as Chess.com and via streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube. Fans can look forward to exciting hours in front of the screens.
John Penny