Jon Speelman: Remember 1963 (plus other worthy exhortations and an assertion)

Grandmaster Jon Speelman delves into the ongoing World Chess Championship match in Singapore, offering insightful analysis and drawing fascinating parallels to historic encounters like Botvinnik v. Petrosian in 1963. With Gukesh and Ding trading psychological blows as much as tactical ones, Speelman highlights critical moments that reveal each player’s mindset and strategy under immense pressure. From Gukesh’s bold refusal of a threefold repetition to Ding’s cautious attempts to regain control, Speelman’s commentary illuminates the evolving dynamics of a closely contested match. | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An