Gukesh not being lured by favourite tag, preparing for best version of Ding ahead of World Championship: Paddy Upton

Renowned mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton says D Gukesh is not letting his status as an overwhelming favourite for his upcoming world chess championship showdown against Ding Liren get to his head. The South African added that the 18-year-old chess sensation from Chennai is preparing for the best version of the Chinese Grandmaster, who has been going through a lean patch in the build-up to the contest that gets underway in Singapore next week.

D Gukesh |  Indian teenage prodigy from Chennai set for World Chess Championship clash with Ding Liren

“Gukesh is certainly not being lured by the common narrative that he’s the favourite and Ding has been struggling. He’s preparing for the best version of Ding and a true champion needs to beat the incumbent champion at his best. Gukesh is preparing like he’s going to meet Ding in his best form.

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“That’s been the approach for the last six months since winning the Candidates. What can count in Gukesh’s favour is that he’s someone who tends to play his best in the biggest moments,” Upton, who had been hired by Gukesh ahead of the world championship match, told The New Indian Express.

Also Read | Gukesh likened to Kallis, Kohli by mental conditioning coach Upton

Gukesh had become the youngest challenger for the World Chess Championship after winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto in April . The Chennai native would then star in India's historic golden sweep in the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where he won eight games and drew two and won gold on Board 1.

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The 18-year-old is considered a strong favourite to become only the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to be crowned chess world champion thanks to his solid form in what has been a remarkable year for Indian chess.

Also Read | Gukesh remains favourite for World Championship but Ding has a 'good chance' if he regains form: Carlsen

What has also contributed to his status as the favourite is the fact that Ding currently appears a shadow of the player who had defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi in the world chess championship in Astana, Kazakhstan last year.

The Chinese GM has not won a game in the Classical format since January this year, although former players such as Anand have warned he could potentially regain his form at the right time in Singapore.