AICF Assessing Possibility of Hosting World Chess Championship in India: D Gukesh Qualifies to Challenge Ding Liren

17-year-old chess Grandmaster D. Gukesh has made history by winning the FIDE Candidates tournament in Toronto, becoming the youngest player to do so. With this victory, he has qualified to challenge world champion Ding Liren from China. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is now considering the possibility of hosting the World Chess Championship in India, with Gukesh as the challenger.

AICF President Nitin Narang has stated that the federation will provide a significant financial reward to Gukesh in recognition of his achievement. Sponsors and government support will be crucial in hosting the world title event, and corporate groups have reportedly been approached for sponsorship. Former women’s world champion Grandmaster Susan Polgar believes that Gukesh will be a slight favorite against Ding Liren, citing the world champion’s lack of recent activity.

Gukesh’s success has been hailed as a turning point for Indian chess, with the potential to bring the World Chess Championship back to India. The country has a history of successfully hosting major chess events, including the World Chess Championship and the Chess Olympiad. Gukesh’s outstanding performance at the recent Chess Olympiad in Chennai, where he won individual gold and led India-1 to a bronze medal, further highlights his potential as a world-class player.

The World Chess Championship Match typically consists of 14 games, with the first player to score 7.5 points declared the winner. If the score is tied after 14 games, a tiebreak is used to determine the champion. While the dates and venue for the upcoming championship are yet to be decided, the chess world is eagerly anticipating the showdown between Gukesh and Ding Liren.

As the chess community waits for more details on the World Chess Championship, the focus remains on Gukesh’s remarkable journey to becoming a title contender. The AICF’s support for Gukesh and other Indian players in their pursuit of chess excellence underscores the country’s commitment to nurturing talent in the sport. With Gukesh’s success, Indian chess is poised for a bright future on the global stage.