That's really bad news for Smash. One of the big complaints in the Chess World is how little money there is except for the extremely high level.

That's fine, but will the memes convert into a lot of people getting invested in the game of chess, or this match? Are tons more people going to be watching the games?

Doubtful.

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Which is kinda an indictment of how bad some of these press conferences can be.

Maybe this is just my POV, but isn't the point of the press conference to get people interested?

I'd challenge you to listen to the 3 minute of that press conference like a newbie, and try not to fall asleep.

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Then you could play in the end game, with just your heavy pieces.

So it's not a perfect analogy but I do get what they're trying to get at.

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This is going to make me sound a little pretentious, but from a purely technical standpoint, the knights could still play.

So what you could do is sacrifice both of your knights in order to open up lines for the bishops and Queens, and then sacrifice your bishops to open lines for your rooks.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 🎂🎉

5-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlson is turning 34 today!!

Wishing my best-friend-that-I've-never-met well, and hopefully another great 34 years into the future!

Welp, when you get on a hot streak, you sometimes have to go for it 😜💪

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Cue Kramnik's brain exploding.

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Please get some rest.

I know that chess is fun, but if you don't get some rest, you will inevitably start to play poorly, and then you'll begin to tilt, and that'll cause you to get angry and want to keep playing until you win, and you won't win, and that'll make you more angry.

Go to bed. 😴

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Welp, I guess I am just that good. 🤣🤣

Most likely a draw.

Not really based on anything, just the general reality that just tends to be very drawish.

All I hope is that Ding had time to relax, so he doesn't get in time trouble again.

This one's pretty much a big "I don't know.". 🤷

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Those are some pretty cool pieces!

Very nice! 👍

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That's a great idea!

Magnus and I approve! 😁👍

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Nicely done! Keep the good work up!

This goes to show that hard work does pay off!

Soon enough, you will be able to do 40, and then 50.

The tactics will be very strong. 💪

Magnus and I approve!!

a man wearing glasses is covering his mouth with his hand and the website chess.com is on the bottom right ALT: a man wearing glasses is covering his mouth with his hand and the website chess.com is on the bottom right

I think I just found Kramnik's anonymous account. LMAO! 🤣

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Ah yes, the elusive 0-Move Checkmate!

Usually, we don't teach that until you are at least 4,200 Elo.

And part of that rule is you must be at least 6,969 Elo to play it.

A much-needed win for GUKESH!!

Now he gets to have a nice rest day.

Ding just took too much time in these two positions, and it cost him as he flagged.🚩

In the first position, he spent over 30 minutes; in the second, 17 minutes.

Ding will look to recoup and relax for the upcoming set of games.

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Ah.

Wow! That is super far away!

To be fair, I'm in California, so anything that isn't in California is far away to me.

You aren't the only one.

Unfortunately, FIDE is not the greatest at promoting.

It would be nice if FIDE had a well-liked, highly respected legend from the challenging country to help hype up the event buuut... OH WAIT! THEY DO!!

Vishy Anand is literally the Deputy President of FIDE!

Terrible. 😡

If he does get a win, he still isn't out of the woods. As we saw in the first game, while Gukesh is amazing at calculating, he has a large weakness when the time gets low.

He would not be helped by faster time controls.

Will be watching with great anticipation. 😀

After today's quick draw, the pressure is going to be on Gukesh to get a win in the next game with the white pieces.

If he doesn't, the pressure is going to get greater and greater. If he then draws with black, the desperation for a win will cause him to take excessive risks.

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The tech bros are conspiring against chess!! 🤣

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Small correction: *Pretentious* Chess nerds get so mad when you call it a horse.

Normal chess nerds find it funny.

Horsey goes BRRRRRRRRRR!!!

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To be fair, I kinda did, but I don't think there is a need to brag.

As one Hans Niemann put it, "The chess speaks for itself"

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BRUH!

You play chess AND have a gf?????????

What kind of crazy superpowers do you have??

That's insane.

But good on ya for teaching her the royal game.

Magnus and I applaud you.

Knock! Knock!

Gukesh D- "Who's there?"

Ding Liren- *breaks into Gukesh's house* "THE DOOR!!!"

It would work better with, "Ding Dong!", but you can't have everything in this world.

#chess #meme

I don't want to say, "I told you so."

HOWEVER, I don't think I was wrong.

Of course, this is just game 1.

We could see a comeback though, so stay tuned.

Ding Liren: 1
Gukesh D: 0

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Here's my conspiracy theory:

Ding Liren decided to play the French just to piss off r/anarchychess on Reddit.

I highly doubt that will happen.

People forget that Ding is a monster, who has the capacity to rip people's heads off and tear their souls out of their body.

Ding's peak rating is tied for 10th highest of all time.

IMO, it will come down to nerves. Who can control themselves more.