Indian Grandmasters Predict Gukesh to Win FIDE World Championship by 12th Round

Indian Grandmasters Pravin Thipsay and Abhijit Kunte are confident that 18-year-old Indian GM D Gukesh will emerge victorious in the upcoming FIDE World Championship contest against Chinese opponent Liren Ding in Singapore later this month. Gukesh, whose game has been compared to legendary Russian Anatoly Karpov, has been in stellar form in 2024, becoming the youngest champion in the history of the Candidates Tournament and helping India win the gold medal in the 45th Chess Olympiad.

Thipsay and Kunte praised Gukesh’s impeccable accuracy and unwavering focus, highlighting his maturity and strength of character compared to his opponent Ding. They believe that Gukesh’s style of play, reminiscent of Karpov’s, will give him the edge in the contest. Despite Ding’s past achievements, including winning the gold medal for China in the Olympiad, Gukesh is seen as the clear favorite due to his exceptional work ethic and dedication to improving his game.

The upcoming match is expected to be a battle of wits and strategy, with both players relying on their over-the-board skills rather than book novelties. Kunte noted that Ding, who has been battling depression, is not the same player he once was, giving Gukesh an advantage in the contest. With Gukesh’s exceptional talent and determination, Thipsay and Kunte believe that he will clinch victory by the 12th round, showcasing his potential to become a dominant force in the world of chess.