Russian Chess Chief Accuses Ding Liren of Deliberately Losing to D Gukesh

Russian Chess Federation President Andrei Filatov has alleged that China's Ding Liren deliberately lost the World Chess Championship final to India's D Gukesh.

The accusation emerged after Ukrainian chess coach Peter Heine Nielsen shared a screenshot of a report from the Russian news agency TASS. In the report, Filatov urged FIDE, the global chess governing body, to investigate the final match played between Ding and Gukesh in Singapore.

Filatov claimed that Ding's critical mistake, which shifted the game in Gukesh's favor, sparked confusion among chess experts and enthusiasts.

The President of the Chess Federation of Russia🇷🇺, FIDE honorary member Andrei Filatov, accuses Ding Liren🇨🇳 of losing on purpose, and asks @FIDE_chess to start an investigation:@FIDE_chess @tassagency_en https://t.co/mPpSjwj2xK pic.twitter.com/SANqHdhVEI

— Peter Heine Nielsen (@PHChess) December 12, 2024

"The outcome of the final game caused confusion among professionals and fans alike," Filatov reportedly stated. "The actions of the Chinese player in the decisive phase appear highly suspicious and warrant a separate investigation by FIDE. Losing from such a favorable position would be challenging even for a first-class player. Ding Liren's defeat raises serious questions and seems intentional," he added.

The allegations have stirred controversy within the chess community, with many awaiting FIDE's response to the claims.

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