In Chess, newly crowned World Champion D. Gukesh has pulled out of the upcoming FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship. Gukesh’s withdrawal comes after an impressive FIDE World Chess Championship campaign, where he emerged victorious against Ding Liren.

Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa will represent India at the event. The field will be headed by world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, along with super-grandmasters Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Hikaru Nakamura.

The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships will be held from December 26-31 in New York.