FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 Ding vs Gukesh: What Time Will It Start? Format, Schedule, Prize Money - All You Should Know

The FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 promises to be a thrilling event as it brings together two of Asia's finest chess players - India's rising star, D. Gukesh, and the defending champion, Ding Liren from China.

Starting today (November 25) the most sought-after contest will culminate on December 13 at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. This championship will determine the new world chess champion.

FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 Ding vs Gukesh What Time Will It Start Format Schedule Prize Money - All You Should Know

The tournament's structure, schedule, and the head-to-head clash between the players have all chess enthusiasts excited for this historic face-off.

Championship Format and Rules

The championship format is rigorous and well-structured, designed to test both players' endurance, skill, and strategic acumen. Here's a breakdown of the tournament format:

1. Classical Game Format

Number of Games: A maximum of 14 classical games will be played between Gukesh and Ding.
Scoring: Each victory in the classical games is worth 1 point, while a draw awards 0.5 points to each player. The first player to accumulate 7.5 points will be declared the world champion.
Time Control: Each player will have 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes for the rest of the game. Starting from the 41st move, there is a 30-second increment per move.

2. Tie-Breaks

If the score is level after 14 games, the championship will proceed to tie-break rounds with varying time controls:

First Tie-Break - Rapid Games: Four rapid games will be played, each with 15 minutes per side and a 10-second increment per move.
Second Tie-Break - Shorter Rapid Games: If the score remains tied, two rapid games will be played with 10 minutes per side and a 5-second increment per move.
Final Tie-Break - Blitz Games: Should the match still be undecided, a series of two blitz games with 3 minutes per side and a 2-second increment will follow. If necessary, the match could go to a sudden-death blitz until one player wins.

World Chess Championship 2024 Prize Money

The World Chess Championship 2024 boasts a total prize fund of $2.5 million. Each classical game win rewards the victor with approximately $200,000. In case of a tie-break, the champion will receive $1.3 million, while the runner-up will take home $1.2 million.

Head-to-Head: D. Gukesh vs. Ding Liren

This match marks the first time these two players will face each other in a World Championship setting.

Ding Liren, 32, is the defending world champion known for his calm and strategic approach to the game. As the reigning champion, Ding brings both experience and resilience to this match.
D. Gukesh, only 18, is the youngest challenger in the history of the championship. Known for his aggressive and innovative play, Gukesh's rapid rise in the chess world has made him a favorite among young fans and analysts alike.

With Gukesh's recent success in the Candidates Tournament and Ding's experience as a seasoned competitor, the championship promises to be a clash of youthful energy versus strategic mastery. Many grandmasters predict a closely contested match, with Gukesh's momentum pitted against Ding's depth of experience.

World Chess Championship 2024 Championship Schedule

The World Chess Championship will unfold over three weeks, with rest days strategically placed to allow players time to recharge. Here's the complete schedule:

Game 1: November 25
Game 2: November 26
Game 3: November 27
- Rest Day: November 28
Game 4: November 29
Game 5: November 30
Game 6: December 1
Rest Day: December 2
Game 7: December 3
Game 8: December 4
Game 9: December 5
Rest Day: December 6
Game 10: December 7
Game 11: December 8
Game 12: December 9
Rest Day: December 10
Game 13: December 11
Game 14: December 12
Tie-Breaks (if needed): December 13

When Will The Matches Start & Where To Watch?

Each game will start at 2:30 PM IST (17:00 local time). Fans can follow the World Chess Championship 2024 through live streaming on FIDE's official social media channels like YouTube and Twitch, as well as popular chess platforms such as Chess.com. In-depth match commentary, analysis, and real-time updates will also be available on sports news websites, providing comprehensive coverage of each move and every game.