World Chess Championship 2024: A fascinating journey so far

Follow the intense World Chess Championship match between Ding Liren and D. Gukesh at Equarius Hotel, Sentosa, Singapore.

Reaching the venue of the World chess championship, Equarius Hotel at World Resorts Sentosa, from mainland Singapore involves multiple modes of transport for most people.

To get to the small island, which used to be called the island behind which lies death (there is no consensus on the reason behind it, though), you have to take an underground metro station, then a monorail that is way over-ground, up in the air in fact, and then you have to take a bus, if you don’t to walk in the sweltering heat.

The journey of the World championship match, which is approaching its half-way mark, thus far has just been as fascinating. Especially given the circumstances – much of the chess world had been dismissive of the reigning champion Ding Liren’s chances and was expecting D. Gukesh to dominate.

The 18-year-old from Chennai has shown more initiative and looked keener for intense battles, but the defending champion has so far been able to prove his peers wrong. He may have been happy to look for a draw in most positions and may have also had a tougher time while handling the pressure from the clock, but he has been solid enough.

Given the contrast in form between the two players, Ding should not be too unhappy with the way things have gone, though he was rather critical of himself in the self-appraisal at the last press conference before Monday’s rest day. He spoke of how he slipped from advantageous positions.

Before the match, he had also talked of having to seek professional help for his mental issues. Doubts had been raised therefore if he would be in the ideal shape of mind for the match.

He has looked fine. He was even joking at the press conference about the memes about ‘Ding Chillin’, after the sixth game.