Speaking in the Saint Louis Chess Clubโs broadcast of the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia, former World Champion Garry Kasparov shared a couple of observations about the upcoming World Chess Championship match between reigning champion Ding Liren and his Challenger Gukesh D:
“Everybody knows my view, that the World Chess Championship is a match between two strongest players. Definitely that’s not the case now. I don’t mean to be offensive, it’s an interesting match, but I can hardly call it the World Championship.
That’s not because Gukesh is playing Ding, but just you know that was my position for decades (note 1). And it’s a pity that Magnus is not playing but I understand his decision.”
(1) In 1998-2000 Garry Kasparov replaced Alexei Shirov, the qualified challenger for his World Championship franchise, with Vladimir Kramnik, whom Shirov beat in the Candidates Match. Kramnik proceeded to defeat Kasparov in the Braingames World Championship Match.
