The 2024 World Chess Championship has one distinct characteristic that separates it from the final version between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi. Not like the 2023 occasion, each Gukesh and Ding have most popular to spend most of their time on the board moderately than slinking off to their non-public lounges.
This has meant spending as a lot as 5 hours on the desk, as one noticed in Recreation 7. Loads has been written in regards to the chairs the 2 gamers are utilizing on the World Championship. However what additionally deserves an honourable point out is the desk getting used.
It’s a bespoke creation, remodeled two weeks particularly for the World Chess Championship, by Singaporean furnishings makers Roger&Sons.
There are little particulars that make the desk stand out: in contrast to an strange desk, this one has the chessboard sinking inside it moderately than the board being positioned on high of the desk. Since each gamers can be spending hours on it, mulling strikes with their arms planted on the desk cradling their heads, two sides of the desk even have cushioning for gamers’ consolation.
The wooden used within the desk comes from native Singaporean bushes known as angsana and khaya.
For the organising committee, these little particulars matter rather a lot.
“Tables, chairs, lights, bathrooms, carpets (definitely we have now to stop any creaking sounds), the temperature of the room, the sound that the AC is making, these are issues the place we have now to be aware of the gamers’ needs,” grandmaster Kevin Goh, Chair of the Organising Committee for the World Championship, had informed The Indian Categorical earlier than the occasion began.
Curiously, FIDE has particular particulars regulating chess items, boards and even tables within the FIDE Handbook.
The foundations in regards to the taking part in desk point out: “The size of the desk is 110 cm (plus or minus 15 p.c), the width of the desk is 85 cm (plus or minus 15 p.c) and the peak of the desk is 74 cm (plus or minus 15 p.c).”
Guidelines of engagement
The FIDE handbook additionally has an extended record of specs only for the picket military on the board.
“The peak of the items, in descending top order, is as follows: King: 9.5 cm, Queen: 8.5 cm, Bishop: 7 cm, Knight: 6 cm, Rook: 5.5 cm and Pawn: 5 cm. These dimensions could differ by as much as 10 p.c, however the items should stay in descending top order. The diameter of a bit’s base ought to measure 40-50 p.c of its top … The highest of the Bishop could bear a notch or be of a particular color clearly distinguishing it from a pawn. The ‘white’ items could also be white or cream, or different gentle shades of those colors. The ‘black’ items ought to be brown or black, or different darkish shades of those colors. The pure color of wooden (walnut, maple, and so on) might also be used. The items shouldn’t be shiny and ought to be pleasing to the attention,” the rules point out.
As for the board, which serves because the battleground for the 32 items, the FIDE handbook has this notable rule: “The boards should not be shiny, and have a boring or impartial end. A mix of colors, similar to brown, or very gentle tan and white, cream, off-white ivory or buff could also be used for the chess squares along with pure colors.”
The Gukesh-Ding match is being performed in a glass case, known as the fishtank, which is a soundproof room with mirrored glass.
There are additionally specs within the FIDE Handbook for the taking part in corridor itself.
“The temperature (within the taking part in corridor) ought to be 21-23°C. Lighting shall be at the least 450 lux. Lighting mustn’t solid shadows or trigger pinpoints of sunshine to be mirrored from the items. The ground ought to be carpeted.”
