Before the match began, Gukesh was widely regarded as the heavy favourite by almost all top chess players.
Current Indian number one, Arjun Erigaisi, even went as far as to declare, "It'll be a massacre!" Gukesh's meteoric rise in the chess world, his scintillating form in recent tournaments-especially his victory in the 2024 Candidates Tournament to qualify for the World Championship match-and the sharp contrast of Ding Liren's lack of form over the past 1.5 years all heavily influenced these predictions.
Furthermore, Gukesh is renowned for his mature mindset and fearless attitude, which are crucial traits for any aspiring World Champion.
However, the match defied most of these expectations. Why watch sports if the results are predictable? Let's recount Gukesh's 14-game journey to becoming the World Champion!
The French
The match began dramatically, with Ding Liren unexpectedly playing the French Defence with Black-and winning! The game showcased Ding's masterful handling of the French Defence and Gukesh's uncertain grasp of the structure, likely clouded by the enormity of the occasion. After all, this was an 18-yearold's first game in a World Championship match! The loss may have jolted Gukesh, but his ability to handle setbacks is one of his strengths. In a post-match press conference at the 2024 Candidates Tournament, Gukesh mentioned feeling more confident about his chances after a loss in round 7 against Alireza Firouzja.
His mental preparation for the World Championship, guided by Paddy Upton, likely played a significant role in his resilience.
After a draw in Game 2, Gukesh bounced back in Game 3 with a commanding win, capitalising on a seemingly innocuous opening idea as White in the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Ding demonstrated strong resistance after this, leading to a series of draws until Game 11.
Overarching theme of the match
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2025 من Sports Champ.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2025 من Sports Champ.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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