FIDE World Chess Championship 2024: Key Updates
The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship has generated excitement worldwide. Indian chess prodigy Grandmaster D Gukesh, at just 18 years old, faces off against reigning world champion Ding Liren from China. This event is a historic moment for chess. Here are five key facts about the championship.
1. Gukesh Makes a Historic Challenge for the World Title
India is on the brink of another chess milestone. Gukesh, the youngest challenger for the World Chess Championship, hopes to become the second Indian world champion after Viswanathan Anand. Anand, a five-time world champion, last contested the title in 2014 but lost to Magnus Carlsen. Since Carlsen has stepped down from the championship cycle, Gukesh now has a unique chance to make history.
2. $2.5 Million Prize Pool on the Line
The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship offers an impressive prize pool of $2.5 million (around Rs 20.8 crore). Each win in a classical game will be rewarded with $200,000 (approximately Rs 1.67 crore). If the match goes to tiebreaks, the prize money increases. The champion will earn $1.3 million (Rs 10.83 crore), while the runner-up will receive $1.2 million (Rs 10.1 crore).
3. Gukesh: Youngest Challenger in History
At 18 years old, Gukesh has made history by qualifying for the 2024 World Chess Championship. He is the youngest player ever to compete for this prestigious title. Gukesh became the second-youngest Grandmaster in history at just 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days. His impressive performance in the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament, where he defeated top players like Alireza Firouzja and Hikaru Nakamura, secured his spot in the championship. A win over Ding Liren would make Gukesh the youngest Classical World Chess Champion ever.
4. Ding Liren Defends His Historic Title
Ding Liren made history in 2023 by becoming the first Chinese player to win the World Chess Championship title. His victory over Ian Nepomniachtchi was a groundbreaking achievement. Ding has been a top player for years, breaking the 2800 Elo rating barrier in 2018 and setting a remarkable record of 100 consecutive classical game wins between 2017 and 2018. As the reigning world champion, Ding is focused on defending his title against the young challenger, Gukesh.
5. A Historic Doodle and Rivalry Celebrated by Google
Google is celebrating this historic World Chess Championship with a special animated doodle. The doodle shows two chess pieces swapping positions, symbolizing the intense rivalry between Ding Liren and Gukesh. The letter “G” in Google is crowned as the king, while the other letters represent different chess pieces. This year’s championship is significant as it marks the first time in 138 years that two Asian players—Ding Liren and Gukesh—are competing for the ultimate chess title. The prize pool of $2.5 million adds even more excitement to the event.
Conclusion: A Historic Showdown
The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship is a pivotal event in the chess world. With Gukesh aiming to become India’s second World Chess Champion and Ding Liren defending his title as China’s first, this event promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. players bring exceptional skills to the table, and the chess world eagerly awaits the outcome.