Now it was Gukesh who outmaneuvered Liren after the opening, tying the score just before the rest day.
Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
Gukesh wins with White, adding excitement to the FIDE Championship
Wednesday, November 28, 2024. After the draw between reigning world champion Ding Liren and challenger Dommaraju Gukesh on Tuesday, November 27, it was crucial for the Chennai native—hailing from a city renowned for its thriving chess scene—to capitalize on playing with White and avoid letting Liren take a one-point lead before Thursday’s rest day. And he delivered.
This time, Gukesh didn’t open with 1. e4 but chose 1. d4 instead, leading to a Queen’s Gambit Declined. According to their post-game press conference remarks, Ding’s position became compromised after 13. hxg4, as the bishop on c2 was soon trapped following Nd2 (see game details below). Indeed, by move 24, Ding lost the bishop, leaving him down a piece.
Moderator Maurice Ashley pointed out that, according to engines and analysis modules, Ding’s critical mistake came later with 18. Bg3 Rh5. However, both players disagreed with this assessment, arguing that the position was already difficult for Black to play.
Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, who reviewed the game without engines on his YouTube channel, called Ding’s Rh5 move strange and baffling. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen, on his channel Take Take Take, deemed it a bad and impractical move.
Despite his disadvantaged position, the current champion explored other potential lines that might have saved him from defeat. While Gukesh admitted he had initially overestimated the position after 13. hxg4 Nbd7, he emphasized that the key was to outplay his opponent in the present moment.
Third game, FIDE WCC 2024. Dommaraju Gukesh with White and Ding with Black.
Officially, Ding lost by time, but in reality his game was already practically lost at that moment. After the rest day, they will meet again on Friday in the fourth game.
Diagonales Abiertas
