The reigning World champion Ding Liren of China has not been in great form, as his recent results suggest. The 31-year-old withdrew from several tournaments since becoming the champion in April 2023. Even this year, Ding hasn’t done anything of note: finishing ninth in the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee and emerging fifth in the Grenke Chess Classic in Karlsruhe (Germany). Nevertheless, Liren has vowed to make a comeback.
D. Gukesh, the 17-year-old newly-crowned FIDE Candidates winner, who will take on Ding in the World championship match scheduled in November-December this year, said the Chinese is a strong player, but insisted that he was ready for the battle.
“We have played a few rapid games and some classical. Obviously, he’s a very strong player, quite universal. He’s been at the top for a long time. It will surely be exciting to play. But I think I’m ready for the challenge,” Gukesh told The Hindu soon after his arrival here from Toronto.
