Peter Heine Nielsen, coach of many times World Champion Magnus Carlsen, is on the other pole. He says, “Gukesh with 4 wins, and Ding 4 draws. Based on the skills needed to win a WC-match, Ding is the man in form.”

Both Gukesh and Ding are in action today, and you can follow their live games here

More: World Chess Championship 2024 is sponsored by Google / Gukesh – Ding game 1 2024

Ding Liren himself considers Gukesh the favorite for the World Chess Championship 2024. He confessed this in a video interview for Anna Burtasova.

More: World Chess Championship 2024 is sponsored by Google / Gukesh – Ding game 1 2024

Both Ding Liren and Gukesh are participating in the Chess Olympiad. India had no problems with Iceland. China defeated Chile 3,5:0,5 but that draw was special for Chile and for GM Cristobal Henriquez because it was against the World Champion GM Ding Liren himself.

GM Cristobal Henriquez said, “To play with the world champion is beautiful, to draw with him even more. One of the most wonderful days of my chess career.”

This is the first time a global tech giant sponsors the FIDE World Chess Championship. In previous instances we have seen Intel sponsor a PCA match of Kasparov and IBM sponsor Kasparov’s matches with Deep Blue, but this will be a FIDE first at the World Chess Championships.

The partnership with Google, together with the fact that players from the two largest nations in the world will race for the title, give FIDE a chance to break its own viewership record achieved during the match Anand – Carlsen.

Press release: Google announced as Title Sponsor of World Chess Championship 2024

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Singapore Chess Federation (SCF) are proud to announce Google as the Title Sponsor of the FIDE World Chess Championship Singapore 2024, which will take place at Resorts World Sentosa from November 23 to December 15, 2024. This landmark collaboration marks the first time the World Chess Championship has been sponsored by a global technology leader, setting a new standard for the sport’s reach and influence.

Google Chief Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific Simon Kahn said: “Google is excited to sponsor this historic event. Chess represents a profound intersection of human ingenuity and technological potential, and has always been a proving ground for AI innovation. In fact, some of our earliest AI breakthroughs came from mastering chess as a proof-of-concept. Through Search, YouTube, and AI, we are now delighted to enhance the Championship experience for chess fans globally, celebrating the beauty of this game that continues to inspire and challenge us.”

As chess continues to rise in global popularity, FIDE’s collaboration with Google signals a major step forward in connecting the sport with modern technology. Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE, shared his excitement about the collaboration: “FIDE is thrilled to partner Google, as it becomes the title sponsor of the World Championship Match. It is a milestone for our sport. This collaboration brings a new dimension to the competition, blending the tradition of chess with the innovation of AI. The partnership is set to elevate the visibility of the World Chess Championship, taking the broadcast of the event to the next level and attracting new audiences globally.”

Kevin Goh, CEO of SCF, added: “For Google to be our presenting sponsor for this year’s World Championship match is a groundbreaking moment for chess both in Singapore and globally. It is the first time a global technology leader has sponsored the most important chess event. Among many other innovative breakthroughs, Google has, in recent years, captivated the chess community with AlphaZero [ed. note: technology currently used in Leela Chess Zero], its neural networks-inspired chess programme. Chess is all about problem-solving, and we are glad that Google’s special focus on deep learning resonates well with the game.”

FIDE and SCF look forward to delivering an unforgettable Championship that will resonate globally, far beyond the final checkmate. Google’s sponsorship redefines the potential of the World Chess Championship, paving the way for a future where technology and chess continue to inspire and challenge each other, creating an engaging and dynamic environment for both players and fans alike.

Chessdom had the chance to speak to Brian Karen, founder and manager of both groups.

Join: FIDE World Chess Championships Facebook Group / Chess Book Collectors Facebook Group

The FIDE World Championship Facebook Group is one of the most valuable chess resources online. How and when was it created?

I had already established a successful Facebook group for chess book collectors, which now has 50K members and, in my opinion, the highest ‘Chess IQ’ of any group on Facebook. One day, I thought, “Why not create a similar group dedicated to the World Chess Championship?” I’ve been an avid follower of the World Chess Championships since the 1980s, so it made sense to start sharing articles and other resources I had collected with like-minded fans. This group was born from that idea, providing a space for fans to engage in discussions around the championship. My approach to creating groups is driven by my deep passion for chess. While I’m not a super-GM, I’m definitely a super chess fan. My love for chess began with devouring magazines like Chess Life, New In Chess, Inside Chess, and Chess Chow. As the internet grew, I engaged with online forums like the Rec.Chess forums, ChessCafe, and ChessBase. Nowadays, with the plethora of chess information, including Chessdom, I continue to stay deeply connected to the chess world, sharing the most intriguing content I find with the group. Over time, the group has expanded beyond just World Chess Championships and now serves as a general hub for chess enthusiasts. While most of the posts are from me, that’s not by design—I encourage and welcome members to contribute what they find interesting, though I generally filter out off-topic content.

The group currently has 97.3k members, just shy of the 100k mark! Are you excited about reaching this milestone?

Even if my groups had only 10 members, I’d be satisfied. As I mentioned earlier, my groups are an extension of my lifelong passion for chess. While it’s nice that we’re nearing 100K members, it won’t drastically change my life. However, I am glad the group is growing, as it means more contributions from like-minded fans, which is always a positive.

World Championships can be intense, but the discussions in the group remain civil. Is it difficult to moderate?

When I first started the group, I intended for it to be an open space where members could post freely. However, I quickly realized this approach wasn’t sustainable, as inappropriate or irrelevant content began to appear. Moderating the group became a challenge, so I decided to implement post-approval. I now approve most submissions, except for those that I find trivial or unrelated to the group’s focus. The group’s growth suggests that this approach has worked well, and I believe my judgment in moderation has been effective.

The upcoming championship will be the first to feature players from two Asian countries, both with the largest populations in the world. Will this boost viewership?

It’s quite possible. We have a significant number of Indian members, and I’ve noticed that posts about Indian players generate a lot of engagement in the form of comments and likes. I’m thrilled that two of the world’s most populous nations have embraced chess, and I hope this interest continues to grow.

Interesting: Anand – Carlsen 80 million viewers on DD Sport in a single round

Gukesh could become the youngest World Champion if he wins. In general, young chess players are becoming stronger compared to previous generations. Do you see many young members in the group? What is the estimated age distribution?

I’m not entirely sure. Nowadays, it’s possible to become very strong at chess by using computers to solve puzzles and analyze recent games, without necessarily engaging deeply with chess culture or following events. While younger members certainly exist in my groups, I believe the majority of our group members are older. Without specific data, my guess is that the average age of the group is over 30.

What is your level in chess?

I am a FIDE Candidate Master. Although I have a Masters in Social Work, I began teaching chess in the late 1990s. I thought it would be a side gig but it quickly expanded into a full, full time job. I enjoy teaching chess and I guess I am good at it as I have always had a full schedule even though I do not do much self promotion (except for now:)).

What is the easiest way to find your groups?

On Facebook search for chess book collectors. The group with >48K members is the one I organize. Then search for FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 to find the general chess events page that I organize with around 100K members. I will change the year as each new cycle is announced. So at some point it wont be 2024 but 2026, etc.

More recent interviews

Srinath Narayanan, captain of India for Chess Olympiad 2024
Peter Giannatos about 2024 US Masters
David Llada about skipping Chess Olympiad 2024
Skye Attieh, 9 years old and playing the Chess Olympiad
Stanley Badacsonyi about becoming FIDE Master

Replay: Ding Liren in World Champion 2023

Currently India and China are 2nd and 3rd in the FIDE ratings list by federation, boasting average rating of top players 2710 and 2684 ELO respectively. USA is first with 2725 ELO, but part of that is due to influx of foreign players like Dominguez, Aronian, Oparin, Antipov, Bruzon, Akopian, Corrales Jimenez, Akobian, Moradiabadi, etc. With the rate of rise of India’s young generation, USA’s first position is certainly in danger.

First things first, Gukesh and Ding Liren will fulfill Judit Polgar’s prophecy and India and China will have a direct clash for the World Chess Championship 2024 title. In just a few days major coverage of the World Championship and events around it starts on Chessdom.com, tune in for the latest developments around the match.

So far Gukesh and Ding Liren met twice in classical chess. Both encounters were at the Tata Steel Masters. In the 2023 edition of the competition Ding Liren won the game with black. The same feat he repeated in the 2024 edition of the tournament, making their classical head-to-head score 2-0. In rapid and blitz the score is in favor of Gukesh, with one game drawn and one game won by the Indian.

All news about Gukesh / All news about Ding Liren

Gukesh – Ding Liren game 1, Sinquefield Cup 2024

In this year’s edition of the Sinquefield Cup, Gukesh and Ding Liren will treat us with a preview of the upcoming World Chess Championship 2024. In a strong field, they will have to both show solid game and hide future preparation for the upcoming match. Generally, the expected score of such pre-games is a draw, but scoring a full point is certainly a psychological edge.

Update: Ding Liren had advantage in the game and missed 20…Re1 with winning chances. The game ended in a draw The updated classical score Gukesh – Ding Liren is 0,5-2,5

FIDE press release: World Championship Match to be held in Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa

The Singapore Chess Federation (SCF) is thrilled to announce that the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 match will take place in Singapore for the first time at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) from November 23 to December 15, 2024. This iconic event will be the first in 138 years to feature two contestants from Asia between the reigning World Champion, China’s Ding Liren and challenger Dommaraju Gukesh from India competing for the title. RWS, globally renowned for its luxurious facilities and world-class hospitality, will provide the perfect backdrop for this high-stakes match.

Singapore’s first integrated resort offers a distinctive blend of diverse leisure and entertainment options, where players, officials, and fans alike can look forward to having a memorable experience. “We are privileged to partner RWS in hosting the Championship, and we look forward to witnessing the intricacies of this match unfold against the backdrop of an exceptional integrated resort,” said Mr Kevin Goh, SCF CEO and Chair of the Local Organising Committee. “This partnership preserves the prestige of the FIDE World Chess Championship while introducing an element of modernity and excitement – visitors can enjoy the luxury of having many attractions a stone’s throw away from the match venue to complement the existing suite of ancillary chess events.”

Ms Lee Shi Ruh, RWS President, said: “Chess is a strategic and intellectual game that has been enjoyed for centuries and played by millions around the world. RWS is excited to welcome the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 match and its fans from across the globe as a silver sponsor. RWS is home to a variety of world-class events that cater to a different passion – just as the game of chess is renowned for its depth and ingenuity, RWS presents a diverse range of offerings with something for everyone. Our collaboration with the SCF captures the very essence of RWS as a top-notch MICE destination for lifestyle and entertainment, and also further presents Singapore’s overall attractive appeal as a premier global hub for international sports and cultural events.”

Looking ahead, visitors to RWS can also anticipate exciting blockbuster events as well as new developments, including all-new attractions, hotels, retail and dining, significantly elevating its appeal as a top lifestyle resort. Speaking about the partnership, Goh said: “We are looking for more like-minded enterprises to partner us in delivering a world-class event and showcasing the many benefits of chess. Chess is an intellectual sport that involves strategic thinking, discipline and resilience. These are values that many organisations would be aligned with.”

In conjunction with the match, there will be a top-level open tournament held within minutes of the playing hall of the match. Organised by the SCF, the Singapore International Open will feature competitors from all over the world – including our very own from Singapore. “It’s amazing that I will not only be able to witness the World Championship match up close but also compete in a strong international tournament in my own country,” said local grandmaster Siddharth Jagadeesh (pictured above), who at 17 is Singapore’s youngest ever grandmaster. Tickets for the FIDE World Chess Championship Match will go on sale soon. There will also be extensive live coverage and commentary across multiple platforms, ensuring that the excitement reaches a global audience.