'Gukesh clear favourite in classic rounds against Ding'

Indian chess grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju will be challenging the reigning World Champion Ding Liren of China in the FIDE World Championship match from November 25 to December 13 in Singapore.

- Irfan Haji

Though Ding has won the championship already defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in rapid tiebreaks last year, he has not been in the same form this year in the classic format.

Grandmasters Pravin Thipsay and Abhijit Kunte feel Gukesh is the clear favourite to win the World Championship match. Many, like Ding, have won the Championship in their first attempt and Gukesh will have a dash at history to become the youngest World Champion ever.