World Chess Championship: Gukesh's Unpredictable Prowess on Full Display

As the penultimate round of the World Chess Championship approaches, India's D. Gukesh finds himself in a tightly contested situation, level with Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren at 6 points each. The stage is set for an electrifying encounter at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, with Gukesh looking to push on with a surprise lead after clinching the 11th round.

Gukesh's journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Having already pipped arch-rival Magnus Carlsen, the current world number one, in the last round, Gukesh now has everyone's attention firmly fixed on him. However, this has brought with it its own set of challenges, as Carlsen has publicly expressed concerns over Gukesh's preparation in certain openings, suggesting that his seconds may not be up to the task. Nevertheless, others believe that Gukesh's innate ability to grasp complex positions – which he frequently plays – could turn the tide in his favor.

Gukesh's style, however, has drawn criticism from the chess community, with many pointing to a flawed approach that leaves him vulnerable in certain situations. This has led some to attribute his losses to a poor understanding of chosen openings. Furthermore, Carlsen has taken Gukesh to task for adhering to pre-planned openings regardless of the game's progression. He has lambasted, with equal efficacy, Ding's counterpart, for following 'techiques' regardless of progression.

Despite the criticism, it remains to be seen if Gukesh can regain his footing and make a compelling case for himself in the final stages of the tournament. The next two Round's the quality and intriguing we will truly see both Gukesh and Ding 'make' their mark.