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The spotlight of the global chess community is set to shine brightly on Singapore starting Monday, as the city-state prepares to host the highly anticipated 2024 World Chess Championship Final, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
According to a comprehensive report by Alazeera on Friday, the prestigious event, which will run from November 25 to December 13, 2024, promises to be a thrilling contest between two of Asia’s finest chess minds.
In a historic first, the 2024 World Chess Championship will feature an all-Asian final, with reigning champion Ding Liren of China facing off against India’s rising star, Gukesh Dommaraju. The final will take place at Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island in Singapore, a luxurious venue set to host one of the most exciting showdowns in recent chess history.
Match Format
This single-match final will consist of up to 14 classical games. The first player to reach 7.5 points will be crowned the World Chess Champion. Each game will follow a time control of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, and 15 minutes for the remainder of the game. Additionally, players will have a 30-second increment per move starting from move 61. Notably, players are prohibited from agreeing to a draw before move 41, ensuring that the games are fought until the very end.
The tournament includes four designated rest days: November 28, December 2, December 6, and December 10. The final day, December 13, has been set aside for potential tie-breaks if the match remains undecided after the 14 classical games. In case the tie-break becomes necessary, a four-game rapid playoff will kick off with a 25+10 time control, followed by a series of additional playoff games with increasingly faster time controls, including 5+3 and 3+2 formats.
Ding Liren: The Reigning Champion
At the heart of this contest is Ding Liren, China’s first-ever Classical FIDE World Chess Champion. Liren, who ascended to the top of the chess world in 2023 by defeating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi in the World Championship final, is widely regarded as one of the most resilient players in modern chess. His journey to the championship was a testament to his enduring skill and determination.
Liren’s rise in the chess world began at the age of 16 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Chinese Chess Championship in 2009. A year later, he cracked the top 10 of the FIDE rankings. Over the years, the 32-year-old has become a dominant force in Chinese chess, leading the national team to numerous successes and establishing himself as a consistent presence in the world’s elite tournaments.
Notably, Liren’s victory in 2023 marked a historic milestone, as he became the first Classical FIDE World Champion from China. His triumph against Nepomniachtchi solidified his place in chess history.
Gukesh Dommaraju: A Rising Star
On the other side of the board stands Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old prodigy from Chennai, India, widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in chess. Known simply as Gukesh D, the young grandmaster has already achieved remarkable feats in his career. Notably, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Candidates Tournament at just 17 years old, defeating a slew of top-tier competitors, including American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura.
Gukesh’s rise to prominence has been meteoric, and his victory in the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Canada earned him a coveted spot in the World Championship final. Should he defeat Liren, Gukesh would make history as the youngest-ever classical world champion, surpassing Gary Kasparov’s record as the titleholder at 22 years old.
The Indian chess community, alongside the global Indian diaspora, has rallied behind Gukesh, with hopes that he can secure the title and bring glory to India’s rich chess legacy.
The Prize Money
The winner of the 2024 World Chess Championship will not only claim the prestigious FIDE World Champion title but will also walk away with a hefty prize of $2.5 million. This grand final follows a legacy of remarkable champions in the modern era of chess, including:
- Vladimir Kramnik (Russia): 2006
- Viswanathan Anand (India): 2007-2012
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway): 2013-2021
- Ding Liren (China): 2023
As the final approaches, chess enthusiasts around the world eagerly await what promises to be an unforgettable series of games, where history could be made and a new champion could rise to the top of the chess world.
