Tue Dec 10 16:09:50 UTC 2024: ## Carlsen Slams World Chess Championship Quality: Match “Like a Second-Round Open Tournament”
**Astana, Kazakhstan** – Five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has delivered a scathing critique of the World Chess Championship match between India’s D Gukesh and China’s Ding Liren, calling the quality “like a second or third round of an open tournament.”
Carlsen, speaking on the Take Take Take app podcast, expressed disappointment with the level of play, particularly criticizing Gukesh’s strategy. He stated that Ding Liren hasn’t faced difficult calculations, winning through positional understanding while Gukesh failed to capitalize on his advantages, making it too easy for his opponent. “You have to make it difficult for your opponent,” Carlsen emphasized. “If you play like the way that he (Gukesh) played, it is very easy for the opponent to play near perfectly and win.”
With the score tied 6-6 after twelve games, Carlsen now considers Ding Liren the favorite, although acknowledging the psychological pressure on both players. His assessment was echoed by American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, who pointed out Ding’s increased chances in shorter time formats.
The championship will continue with two more classical games, with a tiebreak to follow if necessary. While the outcome remains uncertain, Carlsen’s sharp criticism has cast a shadow over the contest, raising questions about the overall quality of play at the highest level of chess.
First Piper 