Singapore, Dec 11: Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh put forth a strong effort but ultimately settled for a draw against the tenacious Ding Liren of China after 68 moves in the 13th and second-to-last game of the World Chess Championship held here on Wednesday.
With the scores level at 6.5-6.5 and only one classical game remaining, the competition is likely to progress to a tiebreaker stage, where shorter games will determine the champion.
True to expectations, the 18-year-old Gukesh opted for the King’s Pawn on his first move, again facing Liren’s preferred French Defense.
Liren was cautious during the opening phase after Gukesh introduced an innovative idea early on, but it quickly became apparent that Gukesh had limited options for White.
During the middle game, both players exchanged a few minor pieces, which gave Gukesh only a slight optical advantage. As the match continued, it became evident that the pawn exchanges on the queenside would lead to an equal endgame.
Aware that this might be his last opportunity with the favorable color, Gukesh searched for ways to push for an advantage, but Liren maintained composure, trading pieces as necessary to reach an equal endgame with a queen and rook.
Despite the equal position, the battle continued for an extended period, with pieces shifting hands until only a queen, a rook, and pawns remained.
Gukesh exhausted all strategies to press for victory, even in what was theoretically a drawn endgame, but Liren adeptly defended against all attempts.
The game concluded in a drawn position of two versus three rooks and pawns, with Gukesh playing on until there were no further moves available.
Liren held his ground until the end and now enters the final game as the favorite.
Following the tense match, Gukesh expressed excitement as the championship nears its pivotal phase.
When asked about his feelings with just one game left before potentially entering the tiebreaks, he stated, “As the match gets closer, it only becomes more thrilling. I’m quite excited (about the 14th game) but recognize its significance. I will strive to perform my best.
“With fewer games remaining, the stakes are undoubtedly higher. I prepared for a fierce competition; I felt refreshed and confident today, and I was eager to implement a new idea I had developed,” Gukesh added.
Liren admitted he was “very tired” after the lengthy game and remarked, “Firstly, I’m very fatigued after this long match. Secondly, I need to strategize for the next game, as this is a crucial one.”
The moves:
D. Gukesh vs. Ding Liren
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.a3 Be7 8.Be3 Nb6 9.Nf4 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nc4 11.Bxc4 dxc4 12.Nge2 b5 13.0–0 0–0 14.Nc3 Rb8 15.Nh5 f5 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Qf3 Qe8 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Qe2 Qg6 20.f3 Rf8 21.Rad1 Ne7 22.Bf4 Rb6 23.Bc7 Rb7 24.Bd6 Re8 25.Bxe7 Rexe7 26.Qe5 a6 27.d5 exd5 28.Qxd5+ Qe6 29.Qc5 Re8 30.Rde1 Qf7 31.Ne4 Rf8 32.Nd6 Rc7 33.Qe5 Qf6 34.Qd5+ Kh8 35.Re5 Re7 36.Rfe1 Rxe5 37.Rxe5 h6 38.Qc5 Bd7 39.Ne4 Qf4 40.Re7 Bf5 41.Qd4 Rg8 42.h3 Qc1+ 43.Kf2 Bxe4 44.Rxe4 c3 45.bxc3 Qxa3 46.Kg3 Qb3 47.Re7 a5 48.Rb7 Qc4 49.Qe5 Qc6 50.Qxb5 Qxc3 51.Ra7 Qe1+ 52.Kh2 Qb4 53.Qxb4 axb4 54.Rb7 Ra8 55.Rxb4 Ra2 56.Kg3 Kh7 57.Rb5 Kg6 58.f4 Kf6 59.Kf3 Rc2 60.g3 Rc3+ 61.Kg4 Ra3 62.h4 Rc3 63.Rb6+ Kf7 64.f5 h5+ 65.Kf4 Rc4+ 66.Kf3 Rc3+ 67.Kf4 Rc4+ 68.Kf3 Rc3+ Match drawn. (PTI)
