WORRIED ABOUT LOSING BADLY: LIREN

Given his struggles on & off the board in recent times, Chinese GM feels he is the underdog ahead of Gukesh clash

REIGNING world champion Ding Liren has again admitted that he sees D Gukesh as the clear favourite heading into their title clash in Singapore later this month.

Liren, whose form plateaued after he won the title last year, is worried that he may lose "very badly". Speaking to Kaja Snare, a prominent chess broadcaster on YouTube, the 32-year-old said: "I am worried about losing very badly. Hopefully it won't happen," he said. "Maybe I am not so eager to play. I don't have the same ambitions to win the game," he elaborated when he was asked for why he felt that way. While Gukesh has enjoyed a great year, Liren hasn't. In a previous interview, he had spoken about sleepless nights. In an interview to this daily ahead of the Norway Chess in May, he had said: "My sleep has not been so good, not in the best shape, that's why I try not to play so many tournaments."