GM Ian Nepomniachtchi mentioned reigning world champion GM Ding Liren can be a “large favourite” within the upcoming title match towards GM Gukesh Dommaraju if he can get well his 2019 kind, whereas GM Fabiano Caruana thinks one good outcome could make an enormous distinction.
Nepomniachtchi appeared in a brand new episode of Caruana and GM Cristian Chirila‘s podcast C-Squared, launched on YouTube and Spotify this week. The 2-time world championship challenger shared greater than 90 minutes of perception about his Candidates’ efficiency, Ding’s kind, Gukesh, and the upcoming world championship match.
The golden ticket went to Gukesh, who will face the reigning world champion Ding in a match scheduled for November 20 – December 15. Nepomniachtchi, who missed his likelihood for a 3rd title match regardless of a formidable undefeated Candidates run, stays unsure on who he favors to win the match.
“Ding in his prime can be an enormous favourite. I’d say like 75-25. I by no means know if he would get well from what’s occurring. Even throughout the match [in 2023], I believe it was a glimpse of the earlier Ding. After all he performed significantly better in comparison with this 12 months, nevertheless it was removed from his peak,” Nepomniachtchi mentioned.
Ding in his prime can be an enormous favourite. I’d say like 75-25. I by no means know if he would get well from what’s occurring.
—Nepomniachtchi on Ding vs. Gukesh
The reigning world champion has been underneath scrutiny from the chess world since profitable the title attributable to his low exercise stage and poor outcomes. Ding instructed Chess.com that he had been combating sickness since profitable the match, however he later revealed that his issues have been psychological, not bodily.
“I’d be completely satisfied to see the prime Ding quickly sufficient, however to this point we’re going extra within the course of whether or not the champion will defend his title,” Nepomniachtchi mentioned.
Ding has admitted that he has thought of retirement, however assured followers that he’ll defend his title this 12 months. “I wish to win extra titles, extra tournaments. And I’ll defend my world title; the followers do not must be fearful,” he instructed Chess.com’s Peter Doggers.
However, Ding’s return to classical chess after an eight-month break this January, wasn’t a profitable one. The world champion completed the Tata Metal Chess Masters in ninth place with 6/13. His droop continued with a good worse outcome within the Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T Problem in February, the place he did not win as soon as, shedding 10 out of 13 video games, and ending final.
In his most up-to-date occasion, the GRENKE Chess Basic, the 31-year-old averted final place when he gained the playoff for fifth place.
Carlsen lately prompt that Ding could also be “completely damaged” and by no means return to his peak stage from 2019, when he was the world quantity two. He has since dropped 50 ranking factors to seventh on the planet.
“I believe there’s a likelihood that he’s not going to return again to the identical stage that he was at his peak round 2018-2019. And I believe taking day without work has accomplished him some good after the world championship match, nevertheless it clearly hasn’t been sufficient fairly but,” Carlsen mentioned.
Caruana, who himself went by a grueling world championship match in 2018, weighed in.
“We are able to solely speculate about Ding as an individual, nevertheless it very a lot is dependent upon his temper or his kind. After all he’s succesful. Though it has been 5 years since he actually confirmed his finest stage, he’s definitely able to taking part in actually sturdy,” Caruana mentioned.
The present world quantity two identified the whole lot that went in Ding’s favor again then, comparable to qualifying for the world championship match by ending second within the Candidates, when Carlsen abdicated his title. His spot within the 2022 Candidates was solely secured when he changed GM Sergey Karjakin, who was banned by FIDE.
“To get to the match was huge fortune. That ought to make him impressed, however then as an alternative we see form of the alternative. As an alternative of some inspiration, we see an absence of any motivation or one thing.”
To get to the match was huge fortune. That ought to make him impressed, however then as an alternative we see form of the alternative. As an alternative of some inspiration, we see an absence of any motivation or one thing.
—Caruana on Ding
Caruana famous that whereas Ding withdrew from a number of scheduled tournaments final 12 months, he’s now again to taking part in actively once more.
“The pattern now’s that he’s taking part in—perhaps not efficiently, however at the very least he appears to be prepared to go there. After all some losses are very painful, but when he merely has one respectable outcome, some wins and losses, I believe life will begin to look a bit brighter when it comes to chess for him. He may keep in mind that he can play very properly, which I hope.”
Nepomniachtchi acknowledged {that a} match prediction is difficult in the intervening time, however he identified Ding’s good classical rating towards Gukesh after convincingly profitable two video games with Black in Wijk aan Zee.
“Children develop very quick, however I do not see something particular in Gukesh’s play. It’s totally sturdy, nevertheless it’s not vivid. It is exhausting for me to wager on him, however on the similar time it is extra like betting towards Ding than betting on another person,” he mentioned.
Children develop very quick, however I do not see something particular in Gukesh’s play. It’s totally sturdy, nevertheless it’s not vivid. It is exhausting for me to wager on him, however on the similar time it is extra like betting towards Ding than betting on another person.
—Nepomniachtchi on Gukesh
Whereas he would not see something particular in Gukesh, the Russian additionally used the chance to reward the 17-year-old.
“I’ve by no means seen a participant who had a lot management all through the match. He by no means had a shedding place. Not even a shedding place, in these 14 video games he by no means had a worse place all through the 14 rounds.”
Whereas Gukesh is presently in motion within the ongoing Superbet Speedy & Blitz Poland, Ding will return to classical chess in Norway Chess which begins in Stavanger on Could 27.
