Calm before the chess storm for Ding Liren, Gukesh Dommaraju at world championship in S’pore

SINGAPORE – Nineteen months ago, Ding Liren dissolved in tears after beating Candidates Tournament winner Ian Nepomniachtchi to become China’s first men’s world chess champion.

This time, the world No. 23 hopes to be smiling at the end of a marathon battle at the Fide World Championship in Singapore.

The clash between chess titans Ding and Indian challenger Gukesh Dommaraju begins at Resorts World Sentosa on Nov 25, with the best-of-14 series to end on Dec 13.

Speaking at the press conference at the Capitol Theatre on Nov 23, Ding said: “During my first world championship match, I was very nervous, but this time I feel peace, have lots of energy and I hope we can produce the same, exciting match as the last time.”

The 2023 edition delivered some thrillers on the board for fans, with Ding thrice coming from behind to claim victory against his Russian opponent.

When asked about his strategy this time, Ding said: “I think everybody will choose to (start by) winning first, but it’s the one who wins last, who smiles the biggest.”

The 32-year-old has not had reason to smile in recent times, after his struggles with mental health issues and a poor run of form.

He has won only one of his last 20 classical chess games – racking up five losses and 14 draws – with victory coming against India’s R. Praggnanandhaa at the 12th Norway Chess Armageddon in May.

Many in the fraternity have since pegged the defending champion as the underdog in the battle with rising star Gukesh.

Ding said: “I reviewed my past games, and I could see that the quality was very low and realised my fighting spirit isn’t so good, making draws even when I’m in a better position. I don’t know the exact reasons behind it, but it’s far from my peak performance.

“I intend to review some of my best games, to regain some (form) and see how I can beat such strong players (again). I need to find this kind of confidence again and also the fighting spirit.”

Even as the battle heats up between the king and the young upstart aiming to usurp his throne, there was little interaction between the two players at the press conference and they appeared cool and calm, perhaps to conserve their energy for the fight ahead.

Gukesh, who won the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto in April to become the youngest challenger at 18, is raring to go.

He said: “It’s a world championship. It’s a very special event, and I’ve been looking forward to being here since that time I started playing chess.

“I won’t say I’m super calm. I’m surely excited to be here and I’m sure I will be nervous, but I know that I can handle any kind of nerves.”

The pressure is building for the teenager, who if successful will become only the second Indian to be crowned world champion after V. Anand beat Spain’s Alexei Shirov in 2000.

Gukesh added: “I can’t thank Vishy (Anand) enough, because he has not only been an inspiration, but he has also taken upon himself to develop the next generation.

“It’s an honour and privilege for me to play for India in any kind of event, especially an event like the world championship. To represent my country and to carry the hopes of the Indians – I take it very seriously.”

Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation added: “This will be a competitive fight, but a fair one and will get the attention from (everyone) all around the world.

“The excitement is already getting higher and higher and I can see from the comments on social media that it’s going to be a great success. So I hope that players will show their best and give the fans the whole experience that they expect from this match.”

In the opening ceremony on Nov 23 which was graced by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, the colours were drawn for the championship – challenger Gukesh will start with white for the first game.

Players will then rotate colours in subsequent games until one of them reaches 7½ points to clinch the title.