Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh drew against reigning World Champion Ding Liren in the opening round of the Sinquefield Cup in St Louis, marking their first encounter since Gukesh's victory at the 2024 Candidates Tournament. Gukesh, currently ranked sixth, played with the black pieces and managed to navigate through tense moments without succumbing to Ding's opportunities, leading to a draw after several piece exchanges. The two players are set to meet again in the FIDE World Championship Match 2024, scheduled from November 20 to December 15 in Singapore, which was selected over bids from New Delhi and Chennai. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed enthusiasm for hosting the championship in Singapore, highlighting its status as a growing chess hub. The Sinquefield Cup features a lineup of top players, including former champions and rising stars, with a total prize fund of $350,000.