NEW DELHI: World chess number one Magnus Carlsen has delivered a stark assessment of the ongoing World Chess Championship match between India’s D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren.
Reflecting on the state of the match after the ninth game, Carlsen, five-time world champion, remarked, “I think we have finally arrived at a moment when Gukesh is not a favourite in this match anymore. It’s as pure a 50-50 match as it comes.”
The tightly contested championship has seen Gukesh and Liren locked in a dead heat, with the score tied at 4.5-4.5 after six draws and one victory apiece in earlier games.
Gukesh, the 18-year-old prodigy from India, and Liren, the reigning champion from China, now have just five classical games left to determine who will claim the coveted title and the $2.5 million prize.
Gukesh’s journey so far has been marked by moments of brilliance and frustration.
While he secured a crucial victory in the third game, his inability to convert promising positions into wins in the seventh and ninth games has cost him dearly.
Liren, a seasoned player at 32, has demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness, often pulling out surprises to neutralize Gukesh’s attacks.
A significant challenge for Gukesh lies in the possibility of tie-breakers. If the match remains deadlocked after 14 games, faster time controls will be employed—an area where Liren is considered stronger.
Gukesh, aware of the stakes, has expressed confidence but acknowledges the need to refine his performance in critical moments.
As both players head into the decisive final stretch, Gukesh is focusing on maintaining energy and composure. The rest day on Friday offers a brief respite before the 10th game on Saturday, where the young challenger will seek to regain the initiative and tilt the balance in his favour.
