Amit Kamath

At any world chess championship, the men behind the scenes matter. Just like the secret to a good magic trick lies in a good assistant, a second and trainers can influence how a grandmaster plays.

World Chess Championship 2024 Live Updates, November 25: Gukesh will start the first game with white pieces against world champion Ding Liren

Before both players made their way to the playing arena, and the board was flanked simply by the two chairs, Gukesh’s chair looked imposing. It towered over Ding's.

World Chess Championship: At one point, the Indian needed to make 7 moves in 45 seconds to avoid losing on time. He just about managed it with one second on the clock. But he resigned two moves later.

World Chess Championship 2024 Game 2 Live Updates, November 25: Ding Liren is leading the best-of-14 World Chess Championship battle 1-0 in Singapore.

Ding springs surprise with opening 1.e4 move he rarely plays in competition; Gukesh calms down the chaos by 20th move to eke out a stabilizing draw.

World Chess Championship: Like he handled the defeat in the Candidates against Alireza and then came back to win, Gukesh is best suited to take early reverses on his chin and soldier on.

World Chess Championship 2024 Game 3 Live Updates, November 27: Follow the live updates of the third round clash between India's D Gukesh and world champion Ding Liren in Singapore.

World Chess Championship 2024 Game 3 Live Updates, November 27: Gukesh heads into the third game against Ding Liren one full point behind the world champion. Game 3 is important because Thursday is the first rest day.

Finally, the nerves are gone and Gukesh has landed a blow. And just in time too, with the first rest day of the match coming on Thursday.