In the World Chess Championship Final, India’s D. Gukesh is competing against Ding Liren for the title. U.S. Grandmaster Maurice Ashley believes that Gukesh is destined to become one of the greatest chess players of all time.
In Short
- D. Gukesh is challenging for the World Chess Championship title.
- A Grandmaster from the USA, Maurice Ashley, believes Gukesh could become a future GOAT (Greatest of All Time).
- Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi has officially achieved a 2800+ rating.
Gukesh, at just 18 years old, is currently competing against Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship Final, a 14-round tournament that will determine the champion of chess this year. Gukesh made headlines by winning the Candidates tournament at such a young age, defeating several seasoned players along the way.
In his journey to the final, Gukesh also led India to its first-ever Chess Olympiad victory, securing an individual gold medal for his outstanding performance on Board 1. Maurice Ashley stated, “At 18 years old, Gukesh is still at least 10 years away from his peak strength as a player. He’s not a fluke, not a one-time success. We are looking at a future all-time great who will be around for a long time to come.”
Recently, Gukesh fought hard for a draw against reigning champion Ding Liren in the fifth game of the World Chess Championship. The intense match ended in a stalemate after 40 moves, marking their third draw in the series. With both players tied at 2.5 points, they are five points away from securing the coveted title.
Gukesh, the youngest challenger ever for the world crown, opened with the King’s pawn but faced Ding’s well-prepared French Defense for the second time in the match. After losing the first game to the same opening, Gukesh approached this game cautiously, opting for the Exchange Variation. Despite his efforts to create imbalances, Ding maintained a solid position throughout.
The game’s critical moment arose when Gukesh allowed Ding to secure a protected passed pawn on the sixth rank. However, instead of pushing for a decisive edge, Ding chose to equalize the endgame with opposite-colored bishops. This led to a position where Ding surrendered a pawn to build a fortress, ensuring no further progress for either player.
Both competitors adhered to the championship’s minimum requirement of 40 moves before agreeing to draw the game. Even though Ding briefly seemed to have the advantage, Gukesh’s resilient defense ensured the game ended in a stalemate, keeping the score level at 2.5 points each.
In the series, Gukesh showcased his unique style by adopting the Exchange Variation early in the third game, which involved exchanging queens by the ninth move. This unorthodox approach momentarily unsettled Ding but ultimately allowed the reigning champion to advance on the king’s side. A daring move by Gukesh (Nxg5 followed by Ngf3) enabled Ding to penetrate further into his territory, but Gukesh’s tactical skills prevented Ding from converting that advantage.
This was the first game in which Ding faced no significant trouble while playing with the black pieces, indicating his increasing composure. As the championship progresses, both players will strive to break the deadlock and edge closer to the eight points required for victory.
ARJUN ERIGAISI REACHES 2800+ RATING
Meanwhile, India’s Arjun Erigaisi officially reached a FIDE rating of 2800+ in December 2024, becoming the 16th player in history to break the 2800 Elo barrier in classical chess. He is the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to achieve this milestone.
Recently, Arjun played a pivotal role in India’s historic Chess Olympiad win. His performance in Budapest, Hungary, was exceptional. Competing on the third board for India, he secured nine wins and two draws over 11 rounds, significantly contributing to his team’s victory. With a performance rating of 2968 Elo, one of the highest in the tournament, he gained a total of 19.2 rating points, propelling him to a career-high world ranking of No. 3, ahead of Fabiano Caruana, with a live rating of 2797.2 Elo.
Arjun’s chess style has evolved over the years. Initially known for his strong positional play, he has developed a more universal and adaptable approach. His superior calculation skills and versatility in handling various types of positions have been key to his success. Arjun has put considerable effort into improving his opening repertoire, addressing past weaknesses and creating a more robust and varied game.
For more detailed News read-https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/world-chess-championship-final-d-gukesh-is-future-goat-arjun-erigaisi-2800-elo-2643130-2024-12-01
2 thoughts on “World Chess Championship Final: The future is D.Gukesh, Says U.S. GM”