The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has responded to allegations that China’s Ding Liren intentionally lost to India’s D Gukesh during the recently concluded match of the 2024 World Chess Championship in Singapore. After Gukesh’s historic success, Ding was accused by Russian Chess Federation head Andrei Filatov of intentionally losing the game. Russian news agency TASS quoted Filatov as asking the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to open an investigation and examine the outcome. For the uninitiated, Ding made a huge mistake in the crucial game 14 by placing the rook next to his king, allowing Gukesh to become the youngest world chess champion ever.

“The result of the last game caused confusion among professionals and chess fans. The actions of the Chinese chess player in the crucial segment are extremely suspicious and require a separate investigation by FIDE,” Filatov told TASS.

“Losing the position Ding Liren was in is difficult even for a top-class player. The Chinese chess player’s defeat in today’s game raises many questions and looks like a deliberate defeat,” he added.

However, FIDE chief Arkady Dvorkovich has dismissed claims that Ding may have intentionally thrown away the game.

Dvorkovich insisted that sport is about making mistakes and bouncing back afterward.

“Sport is about mistakes. Without mistakes there would be no goals in football. Every athlete makes mistakes, but that’s what we’re excited about, whether the opponent finds a way to exploit a mistake,” Dvorkovich said during the tournament’s closing ceremony recently.

Meanwhile, Gukesh secured the required 7.5 points to his Chinese rival’s 6.5 points after winning the 14th and final classic time control game of the match, which largely appeared to be headed for a draw. As the winner, he will receive a whopping $1.3 million (approximately Rs. 11.03 crore) out of the 2.5 million prize money.