FIDE Reacts to Accusations of Ding Liren Deliberately Losing World Chess Championship Match

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has responded to accusations made by Russian Chess Federation chief Andrei Filatov against Chinese chess player Ding Liren. Filatov had alleged that Ding deliberately lost to India’s D Gukesh during the 2024 World Chess Championship match in Singapore. The controversy arose after Gukesh emerged victorious, becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion.

Filatov called for FIDE to investigate the result of the match, citing suspicions about Ding’s actions in the decisive Game 14. He expressed disbelief at Ding’s move that ultimately led to his defeat, suggesting that it appeared deliberate. However, FIDE chief Arkady Dvorkovich dismissed these claims, emphasizing that mistakes are a natural part of sports and can lead to unexpected outcomes.

Despite the controversy, Gukesh secured the championship title by defeating Ding with 7.5 points to 6.5. As the winner, Gukesh will receive a significant prize of USD 1.3 million from the total purse of 2.5 million. The tournament’s closing ceremony saw Dvorkovich highlighting the excitement of sports and the ability of players to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes.

The clash between Ding Liren and D Gukesh has sparked debate within the chess community, with fans and professionals weighing in on the outcome of the match. As the dust settles on this contentious championship, the focus now shifts to the future of chess and the lessons that can be learned from this high-stakes competition.