D Gukesh vs Ding Liren: Deception, play-acting, et al - The other side of the chequered game
Published On : 2024-11-23T09:01:32+0530 [ IST ] |
Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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D Gukesh and Ding LirenPoker-faced Gukesh expressive Ding a study in contrasts
China'sDing Lirenis is already being hailed as a moral victor even before the first chess piece has moved in his World Chess Championship match against D Gukesh that starts in Singapore from Monday
For despite the general perception of Chinese being inscrutable and stoic the chess community is almost united in their assertion that Gukesh is not faking his mental vulnerability and that it is not his strategy to lure
Elite GM Levon Aronian said: "Ding is not a tricky guy. I don't see that. He may not be in the best state it is maybe caused by the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic or him not being able to play for a long period
But it is also clear that all the chances are on Gukesh's side," Aronian said.
RB Ramesh coach and R Praggnanandhaa's mentor also provided some insight. "Ding is genuinely suffering," he said.
Gukesh's early coach Vishnu Prasanna said: "You start doubting Ding when he says I am not afraid of losing but I am afraid of losing badly."
Is Ding being too forthright? Gukesh has said he is prepared to play the best version of Ding eliminating concerns of complacency.
Faking or deception is not only allowed in sport but often marvelled at due to its brilliance in execution and impact. But in chess, a cerebral sport this feigning is so subtle that it goes unnoticed by the spectators many watching the board and not the players
In his 2008 title match in Bonn Viswanathan Anandfamously scored two wins with black againstVladimir Kramnik in one of those wins he had prepared an entire line. Conventional wisdom said that it was better for white but the Indian genius had found an exciting initiative with black.
The trick lay in the fact that during the game Anand had to give the impression of being "out of the book" and trying to attain equality. For even a hint of the line being prepared would alert Kramnik and he would have deviated to a safer territory
Soft signals too are important in the game. Anand had said elite players won't need a cheating gadget but just a small hint — eg. a chess engine's evaluation number (plus 1, minus 2, etc.) — is enough to take the position to the desired territory. Gukesh is unlikely to give an inch to Ding in terms of body language.
It includes removing the wristwatch pressing the chess clock harder or moving the pieces forcefully, sipping water, rubbing their faces with their hands, making expressions with eyes and holding eye contact.
While all this doesn't change the board position it can influence the course of the game in a big way. Such novelty is not announced. In chess the bubbly must be uncorked without noise.
Source : Reporters From Sunrise Chronicles
Tags : Chinese , It , Faking , World No , Vishnu Prasanna , When Prag , saidsding lirenis already , The , While , Covid ,
Summary :
D Gukesh and Ding LirenPoker-faced Gukesh expressive Ding a study in contrasts
China'sDing Lirenis is already being hailed as a moral victor even before the first chess piece has moved in his
