Ever since Gukesh Dommaraju defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest world champion in chess history, the world has been obsessed with what-ifs. What if Magnus Carlsen had not abdicated the throne? What if it has been Carlsen playing against Gukesh instead of Ding? Carlsen’s disinterest in playing classical tournaments has meant that the world no.1 and the world champion have not come face to face in the longest format of the sport since Gukesh’s coronation in December. The last time they duelled in a classical chess game was the 2023 FIDE World Cup when Carlsen defeated the teenager from Chennai in the two-game quarter-finals. But on Monday, the chess world will get the clash it has wanted for a while as Gukesh plays with black pieces against Carlsen at the Norway Chess tournament, one of the rare events for which Carlsen makes an exception to his self-imposed classical chess exile. The date for the second clash — where Gukesh plays with white pieces — will be made public soon. Story continues below this ad …