Singapore: Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh faced significant challenges due to unnecessary complications in the middle game, allowing defending champion Ding Liren of China to secure victory in the opening game of the World Chess Championship on Monday.
Winning with black not just meant a full point but also huge psychological advantage for Liren in the $2.5 million prize money event because he entered the competition with patchy form. The first player to reach 7.5 points claims the crown.
