Gukesh Dommaraju won a decisive game against Ding Liren in the third round of the 2024 World Chess Championship. But, in an unexpected turn of circumstances, just as the young Indian grandmaster was about to celebrate his first tournament victory. He was forced to postpone his celebrations. This came after Grandmaster Zhao Zong Yuan, a medical professional and the official in charge of the event’s anti-doping regulations.
The medical representative summoned the 18-year-old and took him to an anti-doping test. The Indian prodigy has always kept his cool and handled unexpected events with grace. According to an award-winning chess player, coach, and writer Mike Klein, who captured the video, Ding Liren was subjected to the same process shortly after. FIDE regulations require random anti-doping tests and severe steps to ensure the game’s integrity.
The technique entails collecting biological samples. To detect any prohibited medications that could artificially improve mental focus, stamina, or reaction speeds. D Gukesh will focus on the final rounds of the competition. As he has a psychological advantage over his Chinese opponent. However, the way he has flourished under pressure and demonstrated his ability to maintain his composure. Despite administrative formalities such as anti-doping tests. It speaks volumes about his professionalism.
D Gukesh’s behavior Under scrutiny
Meanwhile, FIDE’s anti-doping test policy, which demands players to give urine samples, has frequently come under fire, with Grandmaster Nihal Sarin challenging the procedure last year. Sarin resorted to social media to discuss his experience with having to give the sample three times before completing the process. Sarin also inquired whether the International Chess Federation had ever discovered someone doping using urine tests.
During the same competition, Ian Nepomniachtchi questioned why FIDE and the organisers handled Magnus Carlsen and the other players differently. Sarin said, “I gave a urine test after the final game – I’ve been through this in previous fide tournaments, and I always thought it was inconvenient. Today, as usual, I drank a lot of water and gave the test. It was deemed too diluted. So I had to wait and eat food, etc., and give it again.”
