The air of expectations around the Indian men and women’s teams in the ongoing Chess Olympiad in Budapest is rising with each passing round – with Gukesh D & Co still unbeaten after eight rounds on Thursday, 19 September, to lead the standings with 16 points. The extraordinary form of Gukesh has prompted Ding Liren, the Chinese world champion whom he will play for the FIDE world crown later this year, to tip him as the favourite in the big match-up.
“I can see my opponent (Gukesh) playing extremely well in this tournament. Maybe he is a favourite in the World Championship Match. He also has a higher rating than me,” Liren said in an interaction in the mixed zone in Budapest. Liren and Gukesh will clash in Singapore from 20 November to 15 December for the coveted title and a prize fund of $2.50 million.
A word of praise as this could be seen as a subtle attempt to build pressure on the 18-year-old as the Chinese camp had been playing their cards close to their chest – pulling out Liren from their match in Budapest and replacing him with Wei Yi. The champion had lost his Round 6 game to Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem.
Gukesh was, however, unfazed as he prevailed over Wei after a six-hour battle with a brilliant endgame. “I have dropped a lot since last year but I will fight my best to try to overcome the rating difference,” he added in a rather candid admission.