The 2024 Chess Olympiad is gearing up for an intense showdown as World Chess Champion Ding Liren anticipates a special battle against India. Both nations boast strong teams, promising a thrilling contest between two chess powerhouses. Ding praised India's formidable talent, particularly D Gukesh, expressing optimism despite rating differences. In a recent victory, India's men's team triumphed over Azerbaijan, maintaining a flawless record. Vietnam also impressed, standing alongside India. China and Hungary secured wins, highlighting the fierce competition.
The 2024 Chess Olympiad is poised for an electrifying clash as World Chess Champion Ding Liren eagerly anticipates a "special" showdown against India. Both countries are bringing their A-game with exceptionally strong teams, setting the stage for a gripping battle between two of the globe's premier chess powerhouses.
Looking forward to the tournament, Ding Liren shared his excitement about facing India in the Olympiad, emphasizing the unique significance of such encounters. "There's potential for something extraordinary to unfold. With two powerhouse teams involved, it's bound to be a thrilling competition," he expressed during a conversation on the FIDE YouTube channel.
Acknowledging the prowess of Team India, Ding highlighted the impressive skills of D Gukesh. "I can see my opponent (Gukesh) performing exceptionally well in this event. He might even be a top contender in the World Championship Match, considering his higher rating compared to mine," Liren observed optimistically.
Despite his rating drop since the previous year, Ding Liren affirmed his determination to give his best shot at overcoming the rating gap, reinforcing his commitment to fierce competition.
On the other hand, D Gukesh remained tight-lipped about his aspirations for the world championship, focusing on the present challenge. "This tournament holds great importance for me. I am eager to engage in high-quality chess games. My primary focus currently lies on the Olympiad," he stated.
In a recent triumph, the Indian men's team, spearheaded by D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, secured a remarkable 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan in the fifth round of the 45th Chess Olympiad. With this win, the Indian squad extended their winning streak to five matches, maintaining a flawless record with ten points. Vietnam, displaying consistent excellence, also earned a notable victory by defeating Poland 2.5-1.5 to stand alongside India at the top.
Joining the leading pack were China and Hungary, both securing 2.5-1.5 victories against Spain and Ukraine, respectively, showcasing the intense competition unfolding at the Olympiad.
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