“For most of us, (to become a world champion) is just a dream,” Richard Rapport, who worked with Ding as his second during his 2023 match against Ian Nepomniachtchi, told HT in an interview.

The first game in the match for 9th place between Richard Rapport and Praggnanandhaa ended in a draw. With the first classical games concluded, the stage is set for the decisive second games on ...