Magnus Carlsen added a note of caution to his support for D Gukesh, saying that Ding Liren could prove quite a handful for the 18-year-old GM from Chennai if he’s able to regain his form in Singapore

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway feels that on current form Indian star D Gukesh is the favourite to win the World Chess Championship title against Ding Liren of China in the summit clash beginning later this month.

Magnus Carlsen believes Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh is the favorite to win against Ding Liren at the upcoming World Chess Championship. While Gukesh has been in remarkable form, Carlsen cautions about pressure at this level.

Barely a couple of weeks away from the FIDE World Championship match in Singapore, defending champion Ding Liren of China has admitted that he is 'worried about losing very badly' to India's D Gukesh. "I'm worried about losing very badly. Hopefully, it won't happen," Ding said in an interview posted on chess app Take Take Take 's YouTube channel.

"Gukesh is definitely the favourite, considering his recent form. But the World Championship is a different tournament altogether. I'm sure Gukesh is preparing really well. We'll see how the match goes,