Pentala Harikrishna supports D Gukesh in victory over Ding Liren

Pentala Harikrishna has become the first chess grandmaster to support both current world champions, aiding Ju Wenjun in her 2023 Women's World Championship win and D Gukesh in his recent victory over Ding Liren. Gukesh's decisive Game 11 opening strategy led to Ding's resignation, marking a significant moment in Gukesh's journey to becoming the youngest world chess champion. Harikrishna collaborated with Gukesh's team remotely from Spain, contributing to their extensive preparation. Harikrishna began working with Gukesh earlier this year, participating in both online and in-person training sessions. Despite not traveling to Singapore for the match, he remained actively involved in the team's strategy throughout the tournament.