Bengaluru Eyes Bid to Host Historic World Chess Championship Match Between Young Stars Gukesh and Sindarov
Bengaluru Eyes World Chess Championship Bid as Young Stars Prepare for Historic Match
Bengaluru is gearing up to make a bold bid to host the upcoming World Chess Championship match between prodigies D Gukesh and Javokhir Sindarov, provisionally scheduled from November 23 to December 17. This highly anticipated clash will mark a historic moment in chess, as both players are just 20 years old, making it the youngest championship match in history.
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) announced the opening of the bidding process on Thursday, with a deadline set for May 31. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is keen to secure the event for India, following previous attempts to host high-profile matches. In the last bidding round, AICF proposed Delhi as a venue, while the Tamil Nadu government aimed to host the Ding Liren vs. Gukesh match in Chennai. Ultimately, Singapore emerged as the neutral venue for that championship.
As the chess world turns its gaze towards Uzbekistan, which will host the Chess Olympiad in September, the dynamics of the bidding process could shift. FIDE elections will also take place during the Olympiad, adding an intriguing layer to the competition for hosting rights.
Sindarov, hailing from Uzbekistan, recently triumphed in the Candidates tournament, achieving the highest number of wins since the tournament’s current format was introduced in 2013. His remarkable performance earned him a hero’s welcome back home, where he was honored with the prestigious Order of ‘Mehnat Shuhrati.’
The prize fund for the championship match is set at $2.5 million, consistent with the previous 2024 match. While regulations are still pending approval, the $200,000 incentive for winning a game is expected to remain in place, adding further excitement to the competition.
Gukesh, who made headlines by becoming the youngest world champion at 18, is currently navigating a dip in form. However, he is not the only Indian in the spotlight; Vaishali Rameshbabu, who won the Women’s Candidates this year, is set to challenge five-time world champion Ju Wenjun. With Indian players contending for titles in both the men’s and women’s championships, the AICF sees a golden opportunity to showcase the nation’s chess prowess.
The last time India hosted a World Championship match was in 2013, when Viswanathan Anand faced Magnus Carlsen in Chennai. Anand, struggling with form at the time, ultimately lost the match, but the event left a lasting legacy in Indian chess.
As the countdown to the bidding deadline begins, all eyes will be on Bengaluru and the AICF’s efforts to bring this monumental match to Indian soil, igniting the passion of chess fans across the nation.