Gukesh v. Ding Liren: The Youngest Chess Champion to Take On the Reigns in Singapore

In November-December of this year, the World Chess Championship match between Gukesh and Ding Liren will take place in Singapore. The 18-year-old challenger from India, Gukesh, will face reigning world champion Ding Liren for a chance to make history as the youngest world champion in chess.

Gukesh made history by winning the eight-player Candidates tournament at the age of 17, earning him the right to challenge Ding Liren. The host city for the World Championship was a three-way race between New Delhi, Chennai, and Singapore. The 15-member FIDE Council considered various factors, including neutrality, in deciding the host city.

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky explained that neutrality could favor Singapore, as Gukesh might be a home favorite in the other two cities. However, other factors such as guaranteed revenue from broadcast and commercial rights could override the need for neutrality. The decision on the host city is based on a range of considerations, including distribution of rights, venue quality, broadcast capabilities, and promotional opportunities for the game of chess. Ultimately, it was determined that Singapore would play host to this highly anticipated event due to its ability to provide all necessary facilities while also offering significant marketing potential for FIDE’s global chess community.

The match is scheduled to be played between November 20 and December 15, 2024.