Preview: Youngest Challenger Gukesh Takes on Reigning Champion Ding Liren in World Chess Championship

The World Chess Championship is set to kick off on November 25 in Singapore, with the first Chinese world champion, GM Ding Liren, defending his title against 18-year-old GM Gukesh Dommaraju of India. Gukesh is aiming to become the youngest world champion ever, surpassing the record set by GM Garry Kasparov.

Gukesh earned the right to challenge Ding by winning the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto, where he emerged victorious in a dramatic final round. On the other hand, Ding secured the world championship title last year after defeating GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in a thrilling tiebreaker.

Despite his recent struggles and a significant drop in his rating, Ding remains determined to prove his doubters wrong and retain his title. The match format includes up to 14 classical games, with rapid and blitz tiebreak games scheduled if needed.

The prize fund for the championship totals $2.5 million, with each player receiving $200,000 for every game won. US Chess will provide coverage of the event on Chess Life Online, with daily reports and game annotations from top players.

As the anticipation builds for the World Chess Championship, fans and experts alike are making their predictions for the outcome of the match. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as the historic showdown between Ding and Gukesh unfolds in Singapore.