In a thrilling encounter at the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore, Chinese defending champion Ding Liren secured a crucial victory against India\u0027s Gukesh Dommaraju in Game 12 on Monday, drawing the overall score level at 6-6.
After a setback in Game 11, where Ding suffered a loss that put him behind 6-5 with only three games remaining, the pressure was mounting. Undeterred, Ding approached Game 12 with renewed determination. Opting for the English Opening\u2014the second time he\u0027s employed this strategy in the championship\u2014he set the stage for a strategic battle.
Gukesh responded by steering the game towards a Queen\u0027s Gambit Declined setup, but Ding transitioned into a Reti setup with a kingside fianchetto, showcasing his adaptability. The early stages saw both grandmasters playing cautiously, each waiting for the other\u0027s misstep.
The turning point came in the middle game. Sensing an opportunity, Gukesh targeted Ding\u0027s backward pawn on d3. However, Ding anticipated the attack and countered effectively with the bold move 18.d4. This decisive play shifted the momentum in Ding\u0027s favor.
Seizing control, Ding leveraged his central pawns and the advantage of his pair of bishops. Despite losing two pawns, Gukesh fought valiantly, searching for a defensive strategy to turn the tide. Nevertheless, Ding\u0027s relentless pressure proved insurmountable, and Gukesh was forced to concede defeat.
“Yesterday was a difficult game to deal with, but I tried to continue with my normal routine and be refreshed for this important game,” Ding reflected after his victory. “Today I had a cup of coffee before the game, which helped me feel much more energetic, and also, I had some snacks to maintain my energy levels for the critical moment. I think I played a very good game and found some good moves.”
Gukesh remained philosophical despite the loss. “In the second half of the match, I had chances in many of the games,” he told reporters. “Today was obviously a bad game, but I wouldn\u0027t draw too much from it. Bad games happen. But if you look at the second half overall, I think we are both playing better than the first half. 6-6 is overall the fair result, but since I was leading after yesterday, it is a bit disappointing to lose this game.”
With the championship now tied, anticipation builds for the remaining games. The contest not only highlights the intense rivalry between two of Asia\u0027s top grandmasters but also showcases the evolving landscape of international chess.
Reference(s):
Ding Liren defeats Gukesh to tie battle at FIDE World Championship
cgtn.com
