World Chess Championship 2024: Gukesh vs Ding Liren – All You Need to Know

The chess world is abuzz with anticipation as India’s rising star D. Gukesh challenges reigning champion Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship 2024. This high-stakes event, scheduled between November 25 and December 13, promises to be a monumental clash of intellects. Here’s an in-depth look at everything you need to know about this historic showdown.

The Championship Overview

This year’s World Chess Championship pits two formidable opponents against each other: Gukesh, India’s youngest contender at this level, and Ding Liren, the defending champion who secured his title in a closely fought battle in 2023. The match will span 14 classical games, each testing the mental fortitude, preparation, and creativity of both players.

To win the championship, one of the players must achieve 7.5 points. If the score is tied after all 14 games, the title will be decided in a tiebreak showdown.

Full Schedule of Matches

The tournament follows a structured schedule, with games and rest days meticulously planned to ensure fairness and recovery for both competitors. Below is the detailed schedule of the event, with games starting at 2:30 PM IST (5:00 PM local time):

• Game 1: November 25, 2024 (Monday)
• Game 2: November 26, 2024 (Tuesday)
• Game 3: November 27, 2024 (Wednesday)
• Rest Day: November 28, 2024 (Thursday)
• Game 4: November 29, 2024 (Friday)
• Game 5: November 30, 2024 (Saturday)
• Game 6: December 1, 2024 (Sunday)
• Rest Day: December 2, 2024 (Monday)
• Game 7: December 3, 2024 (Tuesday)
• Game 8: December 4, 2024 (Wednesday)
• Game 9: December 5, 2024 (Thursday)
• Rest Day: December 6, 2024 (Friday)
• Game 10: December 7, 2024 (Saturday)
• Game 11: December 8, 2024 (Sunday)
• Game 12: December 9, 2024 (Monday)
• Rest Day: December 10, 2024 (Tuesday)
• Game 13: December 11, 2024 (Wednesday)
• Game 14: December 12, 2024 (Thursday)
• Tiebreaks (if necessary): December 13, 2024 (Friday)

This comprehensive schedule allows chess enthusiasts to plan their viewing and immerse themselves in the intensity of the championship.

Championship Format

The World Chess Championship 2024 adheres to the traditional classical format, ensuring the contest rewards consistency and deep thinking.

Time Control:

Each game will be played under the following time controls:

• 120 minutes for the first 40 moves.
• An additional 30 minutes after move 40.
• A 30-second increment per move starting from move 41.

This system ensures sufficient time for thoughtful strategy while also testing time management, a crucial skill at this level.