D Gukesh clear favourites in World Championship final vs Ding Liren: Nakamura

India's 18-year-old Grand Master D Gukesh is clear favourite in the World Championship final against Ding Liren, says Hikaru Nakamura. Gukesh has been in sensational form of late and recently guided India to their maiden Chess Olympiad victory.

In Short

• D Gukesh is set to play the World Championship Final vs Ding Liren
• Gukesh has been in terrific form in 2024
• Nakamura backs Gukesh to lift the World Championship trophy

World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura has backed Indian teenager D Gukesh as the clear favourite in the upcoming World Championship match against China’s Ding Liren, set to take place later this year in Singapore. Speaking to PTI in London, Nakamura heaped praise on Gukesh and said that Gukesh's chances of winning the competition were 80-20.

Nakamura noted that while Gukesh holds the upper hand, Ding could turn the tide if he manages to secure draws in the initial games. "The only way I see Ding winning is if he can draw the first 4-5 games, creating a scenario where one game could shift the entire match," he explained.

The 18-year-old Gukesh has proven his mettle against top players, including Nakamura himself, whom he held to a draw in the sixth round of the Candidates in Toronto earlier this year, ultimately ending Nakamura’s hopes of reaching the World Championship final with another draw in the last round.

Chess Olympiad: D Gukesh's incredible form

While Gukesh continues to shine, Nakamura expressed disappointment about the current state of American chess, which influenced his decision to skip the Chess Olympiad after participating for seven consecutive editions from 2006 to 2018. His absence raised eyebrows, particularly after American GM Wesley So suggested the U.S. could have easily won gold if Nakamura had competed.

Responding to So's comments, Nakamura argued that the Indian players, particularly Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, were exceptional throughout the tournament, effectively clinching two points in every match. "Wesley was being emotional. I think he's just wrong. Even if I had played, I don't know if it would have changed the outcome," he stated.

Nakamura also highlighted issues within American chess, criticising the minimal participation of players in events and suggesting that many ratings are inflated due to limited competition. He pointed to players like Levon Aronian, who maintain high ratings by competing in fewer tournaments, as indicative of a broader problem.

Moreover, Nakamura shared that financial considerations played a significant role in his decision to skip the Olympiad. He emphasised that content creation and streaming offer more lucrative opportunities compared to traditional tournament play, particularly when financial conditions for events have stagnated since 2018. "Without a bigger goal, like the World Rapid Blitz or classical World Championship Candidates, it simply doesn't make sense," he concluded.