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Defending champion Ding Liren somewhat surprisingly won the first game of the World Chess Championship in Singapore against challenger and prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh.
Start behind glass: Dommaraju Gukesh and Ding Liren at the first World Cup duel IMAGO/Xinhua
The 18-year-old grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh from India lost the first game in the final of the World Chess Championship. Against defending champion Ding Liren from China, Gukesh, who was actually the favorite, gave up after 42 moves. Liren now leads 1-0 in the best-of-14 mode. The second final game will take place this Tuesday.
Initially, however, Ding had problems. After just a few moves, the 32-year-old took 35 minutes to think about it, took off his jacket, seemed nervous and a little perplexed. In fact, he was in a real low before the start of the World Cup; he reported depression and sleep disorders. The world champion’s last win was almost ten months ago, and because of his personal problems he said before the first game against Gukesh: “I’m worried that I could lose very badly.” His young opponent, on the other hand, had recently led the Indian national team to gold at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, winning eight out of ten games.
Gukesh in the gaming chair, Ding in the business desk chair, played a close match for long stretches. The further the duel progressed, the less time Gukesh had to think about it. This put the Indian under pressure and led to mistakes which the experienced Ding took advantage of.
Gukesh could become the youngest world champion
Experts believe Gukesh has a good chance of becoming the youngest world champion in history. The youngest ever world champion, Garry Kasparov, was 22 years old when he became world champion in 1985.
The world number one, the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, once again decided not to take part in the World Cup. He said: “I’m not motivated to play another World Cup match. It would be interesting for historical reasons, but there wouldn’t be much for me to win.” Carlsen had not taken part in 2023 when Ding prevailed in the tiebreak against the Russian Jan Nepomnjaschtschi.
Up to 14 games are scheduled for the final
Up to 14 games are played in the final. The winner of a game receives one point; in the event of a draw, half a point is awarded. The first player to collect 7.5 points is the world chess champion and receives the majority of the prize money of $2.5 million. If there is a draw after 14 games, a tiebreak in rapid chess follows.
**PAA:** How has Ding Liren’s open discussion about his personal struggles leading up to the championship shifted the narrative surrounding his performance in the opening game?
## World Chess Championship: A Surprising Start
**Welcome to World Today News! Today we’re discussing the gripping start to the World Chess Championship with two esteemed guests:**
**Guest 1:** Grandmaster [Name], a former chess champion himself.
**Guest 2:** Chess commentator and analyst [Name], known for their insightful breakdowns.
**Introduction**
* We recently witnessed a surprise outcome in the first game of the World Chess Championship. Ding Liren, the defending champion, defeated the prodigious challenger Dommaraju Gukesh. [Guest 1], how significant is this early victory for Ding Liren, considering his recent struggles and Gukesh’s impressive form?
**Ding Liren’s Journey**
* [Guest 2], Ding Liren has openly discussed facing depression and sleep issues leading up to the championship. How might these personal challenges have impacted his performance, both positively and negatively?
* Some argue that Ding’s victory could be attributed to Gukesh’s pressure and mistakes. Others believe Ding showed strategic brilliance. What are your thoughts on the factors leading to Ding’s win, [Guest 1]?
**Gukesh’s Potential**
* Despite the loss, Gukesh remains a top contender for the title. [Guest 2], what are Gukesh’s strengths, and how might he counteract Ding’s tactics in the coming games?
* At 18 years old, Gukesh has the chance to become the youngest world champion in history. [Guest 1], what advice would you give Gukesh as he navigates this high-pressure environment?
**The Future of the Championship**
* [Guest 2], with the potential for a long match stretching up to 14 games, what are some key turning points or factors that could determine the eventual champion?
* Magnus Carlsen, considered by many as the greatest of all time, chose not to participate in this year’s championship. Do you think his absence diminishes the significance of this tournament, or does it open the door for a new era in chess, [Guest 1]?
**Concluding Thoughts**
* What final takeaways can you share with our viewers, both about this exciting first game and the potential outcomes of the remaining matches?
**Outro**
Thank you to our guests for their invaluable insights. We look forward to following the World Chess Championship with great anticipation. Stay tuned to World Today News for continuing coverage of this historic event.
