The 2023 World Chess Championship will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from April 7th to May 1st. A new World Champion will be crowned, as Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren battle for the vacant title left by the retirement of Magnus Carlsen.
The event features a prize fund of 2 million euros and will be sponsored by Freedom Holding Corp. Rounds will be held from April 9th to April 29th, and in case of a tie, the tiebreak will take place on April 30th, or the closing ceremony will be held.
Complete List of World Chess Champions
2023 World Chess Championship: A New Era Begins
2023 World Chess Championship Without Magnus Carlsen
On October 31, 2022, the chess world was shaken when reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen confirmed that he would not face his challenger, the third-highest-ranked player in the world, Ian Nepomniachtchi, to defend his classical chess World Champion title. However, as if it were an unexpected plot twist, Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren, who was the runner-up in the Candidates Tournament and is ranked second in the world, received the golden opportunity to compete for the ultimate recognition in the exciting world of chess.
Despite the absence of the defending champion, the upcoming championship will feature two challengers who promise to keep us on the edge of our seats, as the event is expected to be very exciting and closely contested, given that neither of them has a clear advantage. Nevertheless, Magnus’s absence, who is much better known than the mentioned players, could raise questions about the level of attention and media impact this encounter will have.
The Players
Both players have different playing styles, which promises an interesting competition. Liren is known for his solid and positional approach, while Nepomniachtchi is a more aggressive player who prefers to complicate positions and look for attacking opportunities.
Ding Liren
29-year-old Ding Liren is one of the most talented and consistent players in the world of chess. Since winning the Chinese Championship in 2009 at just 16 years old, he has been one of the most consistent players on the international circuit. Liren has been second in the world rankings on several occasions and has been a World Cup finalist twice. Additionally, he is the only Chinese player to surpass the 2800 Elo rating mark.
Ding Liren is the highest-rated player, with an Elo rating of 2811. However, Ian Nepomniachtchi, who currently has a rating of 2793, has head-to-head numbers in his favor: of 13 classical chess games played between them, ‘Nepo’ won 3, lost 2, and drew 8. Nepomniachtchi’s advantage increases to 13-9, with 17 draws, if rapid and exhibition games are included.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
Ian Nepomniachtchi, a 32-year-old Russian grandmaster, is known for his exceptional speed and intuition. Having earned his grandmaster title in 2007, he has been a prominent figure in the chess world ever since. With numerous victories in various tournaments, Nepomniachtchi has proven himself as a formidable opponent. His triumph at the 2020-2021 Candidates Tournament secured his spot as the challenger in the 2023 World Chess Championship.
The Sponsor and Prize Fund of the 2023 World Chess Championship
The 2023 World Chess Championship is sponsored by Freedom Holding Corp, with a prize fund of 2 million euros. This generous sum will be divided between the two competitors, with the winner receiving the lion’s share of the prize.
World Chess Championship Format
The format of the 2023 World Chess Championship consists of a best-of-14 games match, with the first player to reach 7.5 points being declared the winner. If the score is tied after 14 games, a series of tiebreakers, including rapid and blitz games, will be played to determine the champion.
World Chess Championship Match
The championship match will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from April 7th to May 1st, 2023. The rounds are scheduled to take place from April 9th to April 29th. In the event of a tie, the tiebreak will be played on April 30th. The closing ceremony will be held on May 1st.
Games Schedule
Here is the schedule for the 2023 World Chess Championship rounds:
- Round 1: April 9th at 3:00 PM
- Round 2: April 10th at 3:00 PM
- Round 3: April 12th at 3:00 PM
- Round 4: April 13th at 3:00 PM
- Round 5: April 15th at 3:00 PM
- Round 6: April 16th at 3:00 PM
- Round 7: April 18th at 3:00 PM
- Round 8: April 20th at 3:00 PM
- Round 9: April 21st at 3:00 PM
- Round 10: April 23rd at 3:00 PM
- Round 11: April 24th at 3:00 PM
- Round 12: April 26th at 3:00 PM
- Round 13: April 27th at 3:00 PM
- Round 14: April 29th at 3:00 PM
- Tiebreak: April 30th at 3:00 PM or Closing Ceremony
- Closing Ceremony: May 1st
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Magnus Carlsen not defending his title? Magnus Carlsen announced his retirement from classical chess in October 2022, leaving the title vacant.
- How can I watch the 2023 World Chess Championship? The event will be broadcast live on various platforms, including the official FIDE website and popular chess streaming services.
- Who are the favorites to win the championship? Both Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi are strong contenders, and the outcome is difficult to predict. However, their head-to-head record slightly favors Nepomniachtchi.
Conclusion
The 2023 World Chess Championship promises to be an exciting and closely contested match between two exceptional players, Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi. While the absence of Magnus Carlsen may raise questions about the event’s media impact, the championship will undoubtedly be a thrilling spectacle for chess enthusiasts worldwide. With a new World Champion set to be crowned, the chess world eagerly awaits the start of this new era.
En Español | Campeonato del Mundo de Ajedrez 2023
