Gm ian nepomniachtchi

GM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi: Will the World Chess Championship be an all Asian fight - a fight between the players of two of the most populous countries in the world?

It could happen and cannot be ruled out though none of three Indian players in the open section are favourites, said experts.

Both the open and women’s world titles are now held by Chinese players viz Grandmaster (GM) Ding Liren (Elo rating 2,780-World Rank 4th) and (GM) Ju Wenjun (2,549, World Rank 5th).