“On Tuesday (Nov 26), the World Chess Championship in Singapore saw a battle between two formidable players – China’s 31-year-old grandmaster, Ding Liren, and India’s 18-year-old grandmaster, Gukesh Dommaraju,” a report from CNA described. “Separated from the crowd by one-way mirror, the duo are oblivious to anything but the pieces in front of them. Welcome to the World Chess Championship.”
The FIDE World Championship match, taking place at the Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa, marked a significant moment for both local and foreign fans. “Chess is running in the veins and arteries of all the children in our country right now, thanks to Gukesh and Vishy Anand,” remarked a 36-year-old attendee, Mr Mohit Bhagwati, showing his support for Gukesh. Reflecting on the global appeal of the event, Malaysian Kenneth Lim expressed his excitement about the rare opportunity to watch a World Chess Championship. “How often do you get the chance to see a (World) Chess Championship, or any form of championship? So this was a good opportunity,” he said.
The event also drew attention from local chess enthusiasts. A 48-year-old attendee, Martin Lee, expressed his surprise and pride in Singapore hosting the championship, stating: “It’s really superb. It’s a treat for them to come here and it’s a treat for us to have them here as well.” He emphasized the unique experience the event provided, echoing the sentiments of others who saw it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience that doesn’t happen so often.”
Despite the intense competition, the championship created an interactive and enjoyable environment for attendees, with a fan zone at the venue where fans could watch the match, play chess, and interact with renowned players. The high level of interest and attendance exceeded expectations, with fans’ enthusiasm evident through their early arrival and the high ticket sales.
The championship marked a historic moment as it was the second time in the event’s 138-year history that it was held in Southeast Asia, and the first in Singapore. The continued support and anticipation for upcoming matches demonstrated the lasting impact the championship had on fans. As the article concluded, the future matches and moves promised even more for passionate chess enthusiasts to look forward to.
