Ding Liren picks Gukesh as favourite in their World Championship clash

Defending champion Ding Liren says his Indian challenger D Gukesh can be considered the favourite to win their eagerly-anticipated world chess title showdown in November, conceding that he has "dropped a lot" in the last one year.

The two are currently competing in the 45th Chess Olympiad here and the Indian team has been on a roll with five consecutive victories.

The quartet of Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi and Arjun Erigaise currently occupy the top spot alongside Liren's China and hosts Hungary.

"I can see my opponent (Gukesh) playing extremely well in this tournament. Maybe he is a favourite in the World Championship Match. He also has a higher rating than me," Liren said in an interaction with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in the tournament's mixed zone.

"I have dropped a lot since last year, but I will fight my best to try to overcome the rating difference," he added in a rather candid admission.

The 31-year-old is the highest rated chess player of all