With the countdown underway to this yearâs most eagerly awaited chess showdown, the latest 2024 World Chess Championship odds are out! Following a remarkable victory in the Candidates Tournament, Indiaâs rising star Gukesh Dommaraju is set to face off against reigning champion Ding Liren for the world title. Taking place in Singapore from November 20 to December 15, the big question remains: can Gukesh sustain his recent momentum and dethrone Liren?
- What? 2024 World Chess Championship: Ding Liren vs. Gukesh Dommaraju
- Where? Singapore
- When? November 20 to December 15
Below are the latest odds from the best sports betting sites.
Gukesh Dommaraju (-196)
Seventeen-year-old Gukesh made history as the youngest-ever champion of the FIDE Candidates Tournament. Now 18, he stands as only the second Indian player ever to qualify for the World Chess Championship, with hopes of following in the footsteps of five-time titleholder Viswanathan Anand, who last claimed the championship in 2013.
Gukeshâs path to victory included impressive wins over tournament favorites like Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Hikaru Nakamura. Caruana, initially considered the favorite, couldnât secure a win on the final day to force a tiebreaker, allowing Gukesh to clinch the title with five wins and eight draws, thus earning his place in the 2024 World Chess Championship.
Despite entering the Candidates with just an 8.9% implied probability of winning, Gukeshâs form has only strengthened as the championship nears. Displaying remarkable poise, he has shown no sign of being daunted by his recent success. With Novemberâs main event on the horizon, he remains laser-focused and in peak form, having won 11 of his last 12 matches. In the 45th Olympiad, he led India to the title in the menâs open category, scoring nine out of ten points, with only one draw against Richard Rapport.
Though Gukesh has yet to defeat Ding in classical matches, his surging confidence and skill make this an opportune moment to challenge and possibly dethrone the reigning champion.
Ding Liren (+385)
Ding Liren enters the upcoming championship as the reigning FIDE World Chess Champion, having won the title in a close contest against Ian Nepomniachtchi through a rapid tiebreak victory. In that tense final, Ding capitalized on an error in the fourth tiebreaker to clinch his first world title. This match followed Magnus Carlsenâs decision to relinquish the championship, paving the way for a new FIDE champion. Ding seized the chance, edging out Nepomniachtchi in a thrilling showdown in Kazakhstan.
However, Ding hasnât shown his peak form this year. In the GRENKE Chess Playoffs, he struggled, losing twice to 19-year-old Vincent Keymer, with additional losses to Daniel Friedman and Richard Rapport. Though he has shown some improvement, he has lacked the decisive edge expected of a world champion. Dingâs recent performances reveal inconsistency, and he has faced challenges maintaining focus in high-stakes moments, with only one win in his last 20 matches since the 12th Norway Chess Armageddon.
A recent draw against Fabiano Caruana stands as one of his better results of late. Yet, draws have dominated his recent gamesâ14 draws out of his last 20, accompanied by five losses. Although Ding seemed poised to compete mentally at the World Chess Championship, his recent outings in Norway, the Sinquefield Cup, and the Olympiad indicate otherwise. His fluctuating confidence casts doubts on his readiness to defend his title. For Ding to hold his ground against a challenger as motivated as Gukesh, he will need a strong mindset and a renewed determination to overcome his recent hurdles.
World Chess Championship 2024 Prediction and Betting Pick
Ding undeniably has the skill to defeat any player on the global chess stage. Yet, chess demands not only technical expertise but also a resilient mindset. While Dingâs talent is unquestionable, his current struggles with focus and mental resilience could hinder him against the surging Gukesh, who is performing at his peak.
World Chess Championship 2024 Format
The 2024 World Chess Championship will follow the same structure as last year:
- The match consists of 14 rounds.
- Scheduled to run from November 20 to December 15, 2024.
- The first player to reach 7.5 points will claim the 2024 World Chess Champion title.
- Draws are not permitted before Blackâs 40th move.
- If tied after 14 rounds, the championship will be decided by a tiebreak: four rapid games, each with 25 minutes per side, with the first player to secure 2.5 points or more emerging as the winner.
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