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“I don’t really think about predictions” – D Gukesh ahead of chess world title clash

November 20, 2024
<a href="https://revsportz.in/author/boria/" rel="author" class="url fn n" itemprop="url"><img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e660b408ca5a915f1c718d0cd98a879b?s=32&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e660b408ca5a915f1c718d0cd98a879b?s=64&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-32 photo' height='32' width='32' decoding='async'/> <span class="" itemprop="name">Boria Majumdar</span></a>
Gukesh Dommaraju. Source: FIDE_Chess

There are five days to go for the all-important World Championship clash between Gukesh D and Ding Liren of China, which starts on November 25 in Singapore. While both are busy preparing for the clash, Gukesh took a little time off to answer some  questions a few daysago. It gives us an understanding of his preparation and mindset going into the title clash.

Excerpts:

Boria: How is the preparation coming along? Clearly, there is a lot of hype and a lot of anticipation in India. Coming after the Olympiad, it could be the best thing for Indian chess.

Gukesh: The preparation for these matches is different from that for other events, but I mainly want to enjoy the process and will be trying to be at my best for the contest. It is essential to enjoy the process and that’s what I will try to do.

Boria: A lot of people have predicted your win. Almost everyone I have spoken to says you are the favourite going into the contest. Do these things have any relevance, you reckon?

Gukesh: I don’t really think about predictions and stuff. I think my job is to go there and play good chess, and if I do that, I believe good things will happen. My focus is entirely on the job at hand and I know I will have to go there and play at my best.

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D Gukesh at the Chess Olympiad 2024 (Image: FIDE)

Boria: So far, it has been an incredible journey. To win the candidates, and make it to the final…you could be the youngest world champion. Yours is a story for the ages.

Gukesh: It has been a very nice journey so far and I’m glad to be a part of the rich World Championship match history. It feels good to be able to make it here, but the journey isn’t done yet and the focus is entirely on the match at hand. That’s where I need to do my best.

Boria: In pressure situations like this, how do you unwind? Clearly, you can’t think of chess all the time and need some downtime as well. How do you do that and make sure you are in the best zone?

Gukesh: I try to prepare myself as well-rounded as possible in all parts of chess and non-chess things, and just try to do my best. It is about being in the best mental frame possible in everything you do. That’s what I try and do.

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