At business end, it's important for Gukesh to be himself

After the twists and turns in the World Chess Championship Games 11 and 12, the match has now come to a very unpredictable juncture.

- Pravin Thipsay

Uncertainty is an inevitable part of every sport, but that it should be a result of poor quality of play is quite rare at the top-level championships. The championship is now going through a turbulent stage where nothing can be predicted.

After Gukesh's loss in the 12th game, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen has criticised the role of 'Team Gukesh', or Gukesh's seconds. Though the others, except Hikaru Nakamura, have been silent on the matter, most of the chess world shares the view. And not without reasons. It is accepted that the players have completely different styles. Ding Liren has always been considered 'positionally and strategically incomplete' for his superb playing level. He often compensates for his shortcomings with great imagination, creativity and brilliant tactical strength. Gukesh is known to have a superb sense of strategy in the limited positions he chooses to play and is also strong in tactics. The reason for people to expect the match to end in favour of Gukesh was mainly the poor form of the Champion versus accuracy of the Challenger.