In a surprising turn of events at the ongoing Chess Olympiad, China decided to rest their reigning world champion Ding Liren, avoiding a much-anticipated face-off between him and India’s rising star D Gukesh. This decision, seen as a strategic move, has left chess fans eagerly awaiting the World Chess Championship later this year, where the two are set to clash in Singapore.
China’s decision to rest Ding Liren during their match against India allowed Wei Yi to step up and face Gukesh on the top board. The match, which lasted almost six hours and went on for 80 moves, saw D Gukesh emerge victorious, securing India’s win in the seventh round. This outcome has raised eyebrows, especially as many had hoped to see a preview of the World Championship clash between Gukesh and Ding.
India Chess Team triumph in crucial round
India’s victory over China in the Olympiad was largely due to Gukesh’s win on the top board, while the remaining three games between the two teams ended in draws. India’s approach in this tournament has been aggressive, with the team striving for wins across all boards, in contrast to China’s more conservative strategy of securing wins with minimal risks.
This latest victory continues India’s strong run in the Olympiad, with Gukesh leading the charge. His exceptional form, which has seen him rise to world No. 5 in FIDE’s live ratings, made his potential clash with Ding Liren highly anticipated.
Ding Liren struggles and China’s tactics
Ding Liren’s absence from this key match was notable, particularly as the Chinese champion has struggled throughout the tournament. Having failed to secure a single win and recently losing to Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem, Ding’s form has raised concerns ahead of his World Championship defence against Gukesh in November.
China’s decision to rest Ding was likely influenced by his recent struggles. A loss to Gukesh in the Olympiad could have further damaged his confidence ahead of their crucial World Championship match in Singapore. By resting Ding, China avoided the risk of exposing their champion to a potentially morale-damaging defeat.
Experts weigh in
The decision to rest Ding Liren sparked significant discussion among chess experts. Indian chess legend V Anand remarked, “Everyone suspected Ding might not play. Losing with white against Liem must have played a part in this decision.” Similarly, Russian GM Peter Svidler noted that the move indicated Ding was not in his best form, with China opting to avoid the risk of him playing black against Gukesh.
Despite missing the anticipated clash at the Olympiad, both Ding and Gukesh will face off soon enough. With Gukesh’s current form and Ding’s recent struggles, the tension surrounding the World Chess Championship has only grown, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the November showdown approaches.
Looking ahead to Chess World Championship
Though Ding Liren and D Gukesh didn’t meet on the Olympiad stage, their eventual clash at the World Championship is likely to be a defining moment in chess this year. The Olympiad served as a reminder of Gukesh’s formidable skills, but also highlighted the challenges Ding must overcome to retain his title.
China’s cautious approach has kept the element of surprise alive, leaving chess enthusiasts eagerly awaiting what promises to be an epic battle for the world title.
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