Chess World Championship: Gukesh looks tense but hyper-focused, Ding Liren nervous, says Grandmaster Anish Giri

For Gukesh to become the youngest chess player to win the Candidates at the age of 17, that too in his first try, is particularly commendable, says Anish.

The ongoing Sinquefield Cup in St Louis has given the world a chance to observe both Ding Liren and Gukesh compete in the classical format before their much-anticipated clash in Singapore with the world chess champion’s crown on the line.

Ever since he became world champion, there has been plenty of chatter about the shape that world champion Ding Liren is in, both physically and mentally. Not just the one-on-one clash between Gukesh and Ding, the rest of the tournament too has piqued interest among fans and players to get a sense of the level both players are at. Grandmaster Anish Giri, who is also competing at the event and has had a chance to see both players up close, gave an insight.

“Gukesh has been looking, for many months now, extremely tense and extremely focused. Hyper-focused! I was reaching that stage as a kid at some point as well. But I felt that this hyper-focus is too much. I felt like you’re risking burning yourself out if you’re that way. Maybe, I’m wrong. Maybe, Gukesh can handle it. Maybe, that’s what he needs to become world champion. Gukesh looks fit, he’s playing quite well, not without mistakes. I believe he has all the chances (of becoming World Champion),” Anish told The Indian Express from St Louis.

“It’s just these incredible physiological signs of weakness. It’s quite intuitive, the science when people look very nervous and can’t fully control themselves. If you see it from up close, you’ll definitely notice it. Even if you’re playing on some other board, you keep hearing some coughs every now and then just notice that there’s a person in the room who is very nervous. Yet, he’s able to improve his chess level.”

Try to be calm

Gukesh’s immense concentration could be a double-edged sword, Anish felt.

“Gukesh being hyper-focused could be an issue because maybe at some point, he will be upset or angry if he loses,” said the Dutchman, who will be in action in the second edition of the Global Chess League for the PBG Alaskan Knights franchise.

Ahead of the final round to be played on Wednesday night, Gukesh was tied third with four other players including R Praggnanandhaa. Ding, meanwhile, is tied eight while Anish is last in the 10-player field.

As someone who has played in the Candidates before, Anish knows a thing or two about how difficult it is to win the event and qualify for the World Championship. For Gukesh to become the youngest player to win the Candidates at the age of 17, that too in his first try, is particularly commendable, says Anish.

“Very few players have won the Candidates on their first try. We’ve had a lot of these preconceived notions where we thought this is how it should go. To win an event of this sort, one has to truly believe that you can. I believe Gukesh did! He’s very fortunate with his style in terms of it being very unstable. It means that he can peak very high and he did it at the right moment (the Candidates). The fact that he was off form for half a year before (the Candidates) is irrelevant. It matters what your peak is, and that you achieve the peak at the highest stage.

“That’s also a quality of an exceptional player, exceptional champion, that you are able to bring your best game when it matters. I believe there are two types of players: those who perform worse and those who perform better at the highest stage. And if you are that second type who performs better at high-stakes events like Gukesh, you are very likely to become a champion.”

GMDing Liren is the current world champion. Ding finished second in the 2022 Candidates Tournament and earned the right to play for the crown when GM Magnus Carlsen abdicated the throne. Ding then defeated GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in the tiebreaks of one of the most thrilling World Championship matches in recent years to earn the crown.

GM Gukesh Dommarajuis the youngest Challenger in chess history. The Indian prodigy qualified to play in the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament through the FIDE Circuit. Considered an underdog by many, Gukesh had a stunning performance, winning five games and losing only one to win the Candidates by a half-point margin. 

The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship will take place from November 20 to December 15, 2024.The 2024 FIDE World Championship will take place in Singapore.

With Thanks Reference to: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/chess/chess-world-championship-anish-giri-d-gukesh-ding-liren-9538404/ and https://www.chess.com/events/2024-fide-chess-world-championship