Can we say something? Let’s tell ourselves that D Gukesh is not the favourite in the world chess championship final, beginning in Singapore on November 25. Ding Liren of China has been written off so far and truth be told, these assumptions are based on form. While it is an indicator, the current state of what is on display shouldn’t be taken as an absolute yardstick.
This is more so, when it comes to a match of this stature. A world championship final in an illustrious game like chess is no child’s play and that is the biggest test for Gukesh, who is 18 years old. He has shown maturity beyond his age in order to make the cut and the enormity of what he has achieved is big enough to put him under pressure. He is the underdog because of what he has done.
The Chennai teenager has followed up his qualification from the Candidates event in April with some flamboyant outings, most notably at the Chess Olympiad. Ding’s performance over there was starkly in contrast and that’s why the biggest of names in global chess are saying that the Chinese starts as No. 2 in Singapore despite having won the title last year.
It doesn’t have to be the only way of looking at it. In a world championship final, the defending champion is never the underdog. His or her form may suffer a dip, but they can’t be ruled out the way Ding has been. A world champion is always the favourite, regardless of the form of his challenger. The 14-round battle is going to be a new beginning. Older records may not mean much.
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Gukesh appears unfazed by everything around him and never looks overwhelmed by the situation. Even for someone like him, the occasion will be a big one. None other than Viswanathan Anand from India has been there and nobody from any country made it to the final at his age before him. At some point, it will sink in and the thought of it may have an impact on performance.
This is not to say that Gukesh will get psyched out. Of course not. This is just to estimate the kind of pressure he might be under. He is not just the youngest ever challenger for this title. He is still 18 and has never experienced what he is going to do in the championship. The world has changed for him after April when he won the Candidates. His familiarity with the new surroundings is also going to be a factor.
The talk that has gone on so far may not be in the best of interests for Gukesh. He has already been projected as the champion, when there is no reason to predict the outcome. This puts the youngster under pressure, instead of reducing it. This makes him the underdog, against a player 14 years older, who overcame extreme odds before winning the title last year.
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