The global spectacle that was the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship Match, hosted in the dynamic setting of Singapore, has garnered significant post-event acclaim. This high-stakes confrontation, which saw the reigning champion Ding Liren face off against the prodigious young challenger Gukesh D, was more than just a series of complex tactical battles; it was a major international event.
After 13 grueling and often unpredictable games, the championship concluded with the historic coronation of 18-year-old Gukesh as the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in history. While the competitive drama unfolded seven months ago, the impact and recognition of the event continue to resonate, particularly within its host nation.
Singapore Honors a Global Contest
We are pleased to report that the immense effort and execution behind the Singapore match have been officially recognized at the highest level of Singaporean sports. At the upcoming 2025 Singapore Sports Awards, the FIDE World Chess Championship Match 2024 is set to receive the prestigious title of Best Sports Event of the Year in the Exhibition/Competition category. One might even quip that intellectual combat has finally received its due alongside physical feats.
Organized by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore, the Singapore Sports Awards represent the apex of national recognition for achievements in sports. The 2025 ceremony celebrates the standout performances and events of the preceding year, and FIDE`s flagship event stood out prominently in its class.
Beyond the Board: Why it Triumphed
This award is a testament not only to the exceptional standard of chess played by Gukesh and Ding but also to the comprehensive excellence of the event`s production. The evaluation factored in the world-class organization, the sophisticated media production that beamed the action globally, and the successful engagement with both the local community and the international chess fanbase. Leveraging a premier venue like Resorts World Sentosa and supported by key partners such as Google, the championship effectively showcased Singapore`s capacity to host major international happenings.
The successful staging and the subsequent award further solidify Singapore`s position as an attractive and capable hub for significant global sporting and intellectual competitions, extending its reputation on the international stage.
Capturing the Tension: A Photographic Win
Adding another layer of recognition for the event`s impact, Singaporean photographer Chin An Eng was honored with the Sports Photo of the Year award for a compelling image captured during the match. The photograph perfectly encapsulates the intense mental battle, showing both players in similar postures of deep thought, heads in hands, with their national flags subtly in the background – a powerful visual representation of the pressure at the pinnacle of chess.
A moment of intense concentration captured by Chin An Eng.
A Collective Success
This significant award is the product of a collaborative effort. FIDE extends its sincere gratitude to the Singapore Chess Federation, the dedicated local organizers, supportive sponsors, invaluable partners, tireless volunteers, and the enthusiastic fans whose collective contributions made the 2024 World Championship match an undeniable success. This recognition at the national level in Singapore powerfully underscores the increasing prominence and appeal of chess on the world stage.
Congratulations to everyone who played a part in this award-winning event!
