'Glad everyone thinks I'll win World Championship': Gukesh On Carrying Expectations of India

First-time challenger D. Gukesh on Tuesday insisted he is not weighed down by favourite's tag heing into World Championship clash against China's Ding Liren, having enjoyed a purple patch after overcoming a rough phase.

18-year-old won Candidates tournament in April to become youngest challenger to world title. He will take on Liren in Singapore from November 20 to December 15 for coveted title and a prize fund of USD 2.50 million.

"I'm gl that people say this (that I am expected to win) and in general, I'm happy with my form. But it doesn't really d any pressure," Gukesh told a select group of media during a virtual interaction.

"I think it's just pressure of playing in World Championship. But re is no ditional pressure by what people are saying. I just want to play a good game in every round and see what happens." teenager has been in sensational form since winning prestigious Candidates and recently guided India to ir maiden Chess Olympi victory.

On or hand, Liren, highest-rated chess player of all time, took a break from game after defeating Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi at World Championships, due to his battle with depression. 31-year-old me his return earlier this year but has faced challenges with a significant drop in form.

Gukesh has largely been discreet about his plans for World Championship, and when questioned about his match against Liren, Indian chose to remain guarded.

"For me, it's just a match against a very strong player. And I'm sure he'll be coming to match with right spirit and he'll be trying his best," Gukesh said.

"So my approach is just to treat every game just with utmost respect and energy and give it my best." Doing well in Olympi a huge confidence booster 

Not only did Gukesh play a crucial role in securing title for men's team at Olympi, his nine wins out of 10 games on top board also fetched him an individual gold.

"It was a very special performance for me personally. And I'm very gl with how I played and how I handled different situations in Olympi. It's surely a confidence booster for World Championship." China decided to rest Liren against India at Olympi, and Gukesh said decision was understandable.

" day before match, we thought very likely he'll play. But re's a chance that he might not because he lost previous round. So I was rey for both scenarios. It was not a huge surprise and it doesn't make a huge difference.

"It's tough for anyone to play after a loss, and it's very understandable that he didn't want to play, and we alrey played in Sinquefield Cup. So we got a bit of a teaser before match. So yeah, re's no regrets re." Qualifying for Candidates took a toll on me. While Gukesh has h an exceptional run this year, 2023 was challenging for him as pressure of qualifying for Candidates tournament took a toll on him.

"Before Chennai Grandmasters it was clear that I was not in a good mental state. I was having this rough phase, tournaments before Chennai were all pretty b and candidate's qualification was taking a toll on me.

"But I think after Chennai performance I kind of got back into my rhythm and I am gl it continued also in Candidates.

"Chess wise too, emotionally I am feeling much better than what I was feeling last year. I'm playing good chess. Pretty much all games that I've played recently have been some good games, some b games, but not really any very b games. And I have felt sharp during games and tournaments." Should Gukesh prevail against Liren, it would make him first Indian after great Viswanathan Anand to claim world title. Anand won crown five times in his illustrious career.

Incidentally, Gukesh's first real memory of a World Championship match involves Anand.

"I have studied most of matches as many chess players would. first real experience for me was 2013 match between Vishi sir and Magnus in Chennai and that time I was just starting out in chess and it was inspiring to see such a huge match happening close to my home."