‘End of chess…’: Former world champion reacts to D Gukesh vs Ding Liren result | Chess News – Times of India

Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik expressed disappointment with the quality of chess displayed during the World Chess Championship match between D Gukesh and Ding Liren. He even went so far as to declare it the “end of chess as we know it.”
Eighteen-year-old Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh secured the world chess championship title after defeating the reigning champion, Ding Liren of China, in the final game of their 14-game match.
Kramnik’s post-match commentary focused on a crucial error made by Ding Liren, which he labeled “childish.”
In his reaction, Kramnik wrote on ‘X’, “No comment. Sad. End of chess as we know it.”

In another tweet, he said, “Never yet has a WC title been decided by such a childish one-move blunder.”

Kramnik had previously voiced concerns about the level of play after game six, describing it as “weak.”
“Frankly, I am very disappointed by today’s game (Game 6). Even Game 5 was not extremely high level, but today it was really – for a professional – it was really weak play from both players. It’s a very disappointing level.”
Kramnik, a former Classical world chess champion from 2000 to 2006, defeated Garry Kasparov to claim the title in 2000.
Gukesh’s victory shattered Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest world champion. Kasparov achieved the title at 22, defeating Anatoly Karpov in 1985. Gukesh surpassed Kasparov’s record of 22 years, six months, and 27 days.
The Indian prodigy reached the required 7.5 points compared to Liren’s 6.5 after winning the final classical time control game. The match had appeared poised for a draw for a significant portion.
Gukesh, as the new champion, will receive a substantial portion of the $2.5 million prize money.
He entered the match as the youngest challenger in history after winning the Candidates tournament earlier in the year.
Gukesh becomes the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to win the world chess championship. Anand, a five-time world champion, last held the title in 2013 before losing it to Magnus Carlsen.