Gukesh Looks Forward to the World Championship Match

Gukesh: "I'm Looking Forward to the Match"

"I'm really looking forward to the World Championship in Singapore," said GM Dommaraju Gukesh during a virtual press conference held on Tuesday. Journalists from various media outlets were able to ask questions via Zoom. Below are the questions and answers regarding the 2024 FIDE World Championship against GM Ding Liren.

Question: This year has been incredible for you with all the big wins. How would you sum up your year so far, and how much are you looking forward to competing for the World Championship in Singapore?

Gukesh: So far, the year has been quite good. There have been a lot of interesting games and some nice achievements. I'm really looking forward to the World Championship in Singapore. It's coming soon, and I'm pretty excited to get started.

Question: Many people in the chess community say you're the favorite for the World Championship title. Do you enjoy being the favorite, or do you prefer being the underdog?

Gukesh: Generally, I don't believe in predictions and who is the favorite. I think whoever shows up as the best every day will eventually win. I'm just focusing on the process and trying to be my best every day and play good games. I just want to enjoy it.

Question: Can you briefly describe the process of preparing for such an important match?

Gukesh: The preparation process is quite typical for a World Championship. I have a team, and we are working hard. I'm trying to be in my best form and enjoy every moment of this journey.

Question: You are in great form, while Ding is coming back after a tough period. This World Championship will be a different match. How are you preparing for it? Who is in your team?

Gukesh: It will definitely be an interesting match. We are both strong players. I'm expecting a lot of exciting games. I'm looking forward to it both as a player and as a chess fan. I hope it will be a beautiful experience for all chess lovers. I can reveal that my trainer for the match will be GM Grzegorz Gajewski. Beyond that, I can't disclose anything else.

Question: How do you handle the pressure of representing India on the international stage while pursuing your personal ambitions? What message would you like to share with young chess players around the world?

Gukesh: Playing for India at such a level is always a privilege, and I enjoy it. I'm happy that so many people support me and are looking forward to it. I think I've learned to handle pressure mainly through experience. I've played many of these tournaments—though not the World Championship—but I've represented India at many top tournaments and have experienced many high-pressure situations. So I'm used to it. The World Championship will definitely be a new experience, and I'm looking forward to it.

My message for kids around the world is to enjoy chess; it's a beautiful game with many benefits. If you enjoy the game, it's a great hobby. And if you're talented, it's wonderful to be a professional chess player.

Question: I believe the main reason Magnus Carlsen doesn't want to defend his title anymore is that he's tired of months of preparation and focusing on computer-prepared openings. What is your opinion? Do you enjoy opening preparation and the big influence of computers, or do you hope that other aspects of the game will decide the match?

Gukesh: I think it's a bit of both. I basically enjoy the process. It's different for Magnus [Carlsen] and me. Magnus has been doing this for so many years, and I'm just starting out, so it's a new experience for me, which makes it easier to enjoy than it is for him.

It's a lot of preparation and hard work, but I'm enjoying the process. As for the future, we'll see. Right now, it's a new experience, and I'm looking forward to it. I think preparation will be very important for the match results, but other parts of the game will also be decisive.

Question: It's easy to forget that you're only 18 years old and have already achieved so much. You've mentioned that you learned a lot, especially when you were chasing the Grandmaster title in 2019, and that helped you. Do you think your age is an advantage or a disadvantage in your career right now?

Gukesh: I think there are pros and cons. Because of my young age, I have more energy compared to more experienced players, and it's easier to stay focused during long tournaments. Everything is new for me, so it's easier to enjoy than it might be for someone like Fabiano [Caruana], who has gone through these World Championship cycles many times. I don't have that kind of baggage.

The disadvantage, of course, is that I don't have as much experience and haven't played as many games as they have. I don't have as much knowledge. But so far, I think it's been mostly positive.

Question: Could you share your views on Ding Liren's playing style? Are you preparing in any particular way to counter his style?

Gukesh: I think Ding is quite a universal player. Almost all top-level players have to be universal these days. There are subtle differences between players, and I'm trying to analyze them and use them to my advantage.

Question: You're young and play tournaments regularly. How do you prepare for a big World Championship match? Do you detach from tournaments to prepare, or do you think playing in tournaments is the way forward?

Gukesh: You definitely need to find a balance. You can't play too many tournaments before the match. Some have done it, but it doesn't make sense to stop playing tournaments entirely before the match. As long as there is balance, I'm comfortable with what I'm doing.

Question: What do you think about this year's championship being held in Asia and both players being from Asia? Do you think this year's championship could initiate a chess boom in Asia beyond India and China?

Gukesh: It's nice that, for the first time, there won't be a European player in the World Championship match. I hope chess becomes even more popular in Asia, but I think we're already seeing great growth, not only in India. China has been a chess superpower for several years, and Uzbekistan is also catching up. There's a lot of potential. Chess is by far most popular in India. I hope it grows even more in India, and that other countries also take it more seriously.

Question: Let me quickly ask about Singapore. Have you been to Singapore before? What are your expectations?

Gukesh: Yes, I've been there a couple of times. Once on vacation before I started playing chess, and then for one of my first international wins—some Asian under-nine championship or something; I don't remember exactly. I have pleasant memories from the Asian Championship in Singapore. It's a beautiful country, and I'm very happy that the match will be held there.

Question: You will be playing in Sentosa—one of the most beautiful places.

Gukesh: I've heard a lot about it. I think I may have even been there during that vacation, but I'm not sure. I'm very happy with the venue and expect it to be a truly beautiful experience.