13 video games, 9 attracts, degree scores and now we have a match that’s now right down to its last classical sport and a world champion that’s but to be determined.
India’s D Gukesh through the thirteenth sport of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore on Wednesday.
With the White items in Sport 13 on Wednesday, India’s Gukesh D had his probabilities, however reigning world champion Ding Liren discovered the defensive assets to outlive in a 69-move draw. Each gamers now are at 6.5-6.5 factors. Ding will play White in Sport 14. Ought to scores nonetheless stay tied, the match might be determined within the fast tiebreaks on Friday.
Gukesh returned to 1.e4, was met by the French Protection, and uncorked a shock with 7.a3. Ding was visibly thrown off and later mentioned he was “confused by the move-order trick”. “I came for a fight…I was feeling fresh, I was feeling confident and had this cool idea so I was quite excited to play it,” Gukesh supplied.
Inside the primary 12 strikes, Ding fell behind by an hour on the clock. It’s been a recurring theme on this match – Ding being stunned within the opening by uncommon, off-beat concepts, burning by his clock, falling behind and Gukesh’s time benefit disappearing within the middlegame.
Ding had lower than 10 minutes for the ultimate 11 strikes earlier than he might hit transfer 41 and the 30-second increments might kick in.
On transfer 30, White invited a commerce of Queen for 2 rooks, and Gukesh did not pounce on Ding’s 30.Qf7 mis-step. Right here Gukesh’s path ought to have ideally been to trade rooks after which launch his knight to e4 which might have arrange a potent kingside assault. Gukesh missed this opportunity and as a substitute went forward with Ne4 instantly which ended up throwing a lifeline Ding’s manner.
Ding nonetheless had the onerous process of recognizing the one defensive transfer that would save him – 31.Rf8. Gukesh was pulling up his sleeves, leaning over the board. He later admitted that he hadn’t noticed the useful resource. “I didn’t see Rf8…it was when he (Ding) was thinking that I spotted Rf8,” Gukesh mentioned later. Ding did find yourself pushing his rook to f8 to remain alive.
Gukesh was seen leaning towards the wall of the gamers’ relaxation space, palms tucked in his pocket, a contact pensive at what maybe would have labored out to a full level towards a much less tenacious opponent.
Although Gukesh tried to drum up rigidity by holding the items on the board, nothing a lot got here off it. Pawns had been pushed ahead, queens had been off the board and an applause broke out within the spectators area because the gamers shook palms and agreed to a attract a rook endgame after over 5 hours of play.
The missed probability of Sport 13 would possibly rankle with the 18-year-old Indian however he’ll know there’s no time to mope. There’s nonetheless another classical sport to go and the opportunity of a tiebreak stays. It’s been a protracted match and the fatigue should be setting in for each gamers. “I’m very tired after a long game and I need to decide what’s the strategy for the next game,” mentioned Ding, whereas Gukesh brushed apart any fatigue considerations.
On Wednesday, each gamers appeared to spend greater than the standard time in the remaining space, to snack and catch a breather. Whereas Gukesh touched upon the probably “nerves” within the last sport, Ding was requested to choose which among the many two World Championship matches he’s performed to this point has been harder. “Last time (against Ian Nepomniachtchi) was more stressful,” he mentioned.
Again then, Ding had mentioned that had he misplaced the match, he would have most likely given up taking part in chess. Now, he doesn’t have a look at it the identical manner. “I will continue with my career…maybe play lesser tournaments, more rapid and blitz than classical.” Gukesh
is aware of lots is driving on the final sport.
“It’s fitting that the match goes to the last game,” mentioned Gukesh, “because we’ve both shown a lot of fighting spirit and played some very entertaining chess…this is something every chess player wants to experience and I have the chance. Whatever the outcome is, I’ll enjoy it.”