India’s chess sensation D Gukesh played to a draw against reigning world champion Ding Liren in the first round of the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis. The match served as a preview of their upcoming face-off in the World Chess Championship. This was their first encounter since Gukesh secured victory in the 2024 Candidates Tournament. Gukesh currently holds the sixth position in the world rankings, while Ding has dropped to 15th, his lowest ranking yet.
During the game, Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, found himself in a challenging situation after advancing his pawn to d4. However, Ding missed the opportunity to capitalize, opting to play bishop d3, which allowed Gukesh to navigate out of the precarious position. Following a series of exchanges, the game ended in a draw.
Gukesh and Ding are set to clash again in the FIDE World Championship Match 2024, scheduled to take place from November 20 to December 15 in Singapore.
FIDE received bids from New Delhi, Chennai, and Singapore to host the World Championship Match. After evaluating the venues, amenities, and overall event programs, FIDE selected Singapore as the host city.
“We are thrilled that, for the first time in FIDE’s history, a World Championship Match will be held in Singapore. This iconic global hub is not only a renowned tourist and business destination but also a burgeoning chess center with great ambition and talent,” stated FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich in an official announcement.
