S'PORE IN THE MIX FOR WORLD CHESS C'SHIP

New Delhi, Chennai also want Ding-Gukesh clash; Fide’s final decision later this month

- Melvyn Teoh

Singapore has thrown its hat into the ring in the bid to host the World Chess Championship, which is provisionally scheduled for Nov 20 to Dec 15.

On June 1, the International Chess Federation (Fide) revealed on social media that three host cities have submitted their bids for the event, which will feature China's world champion Ding Liren going up against Indian challenger Gukesh Dommaraju.

The other two cities are India's New Delhi and Chennai, the latter being the home town of Gukesh.

Gukesh, 18, is the youngest challenger for the world title in history and earned his spot to face Ding by winning the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto in April.

Chennai last hosted the world championship in 2013, when Norwegian challenger Magnus Carlsen dethroned home favourite and holder Viswanathan Anand.

Fide said on its website: "All three bids will be discussed at the upcoming Fide Council meeting scheduled for next week.