Impact of this win on our chess will be massive

EVER SINCE I'VE WORKED WITH HIM, HE'S EXCEEDED EVEN MY OPTIMISTIC SCENARIOS VERY, VERY FAST. IN 2022, HE HAD A GREAT GROWTH SPURT. 2024 AS WELL HAS BEEN FANTASTIC FOR HIM.

- Viswanathan Anand

I think Gukesh's play was excellent for a debut World Championship match. He was against Ding, who has a bit more experience, especially because of the match against Nepomniachtchi.

Gukesh handled this first game defeat quite well. Obviously, Gukesh had come into the match very ambitious and ready to battle. I think his first game also showed some rookie mistakes. But, you know, he took it in stride.

He seemed calm and struck back in the third. The third game was excellent preparation on his part. Then, again in the fifth game, there was a bit of hesitation.

Gukesh played a surprising line, drifted a bit, got into big trouble, and was lucky that Ding let him escape. After that, once again, I think he managed to put pressure in multiple games. I think the real surprise for him, maybe the weakest points for him, were the two opportunities he missed in Game 7 and 8. Of course, by no means are they easy and trivial.