Game 13: Ding dodges a bullet
With the match tied at six points and only two classical games remaining, nerves are running high. At this point, any mistake could be decisive and both players are showing incredible concentration considering the circumstances.
The current world champion, GM Ding Liren from China, was on the verge of losing this afternoon. A mixture of excellent defensive skills combined with a lot of good luck and the outcome was much better than anyone anticipated.
“I was confused with my opponents opening move order. He tricked me with his idea of delaying f4”
explained Ding in the press conference.
“I also missed his excellent moves 19.Qe2 and 22.Bf4. He was able to gradually improve his position”.
The challenger, Gukesh D from India, missed a key defensive idea.
“I thought I played quite a good game. When I played 31.Ne4 I missed his defence idea with 31…Rf8 and 32…Rc7. My initial intention was to exchange rooks first and only then Ne4, which should be winning”
he explained after the game.
“I don’t think you will see a short draw tomorrow”
were Ding’s final words before joining his team to prepare the most important game of the year.
After thirteen of the fourteen scheduled classical games, the match is tied 6.5 – 6.5. The final classical game will be played on Thursday, December 12th at 5 PM local time in Singapore. Ding Liren will play White. If the game ends in a draw, the rapid tiebreaks will be held on Friday December 13th at 5 PM.
The games with expert commentary and the press conference can be followed on FIDE’s Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@FIDE_chess
FACT SHEET, Game 13, FIDE World Championship:
White: Gukesh D
Black: Ding Liren
Result: 0.5-0.5
Match score: 6.5 – 6.5
Game length: 68 moves
Opening: French Defence
Variation: Steinitz Variation
The full programme of side-events:
worldchampionship.fide.com/Side-events.php
Written by IM Michael Rahal (Singapore)
Photos: Eric Rosen and Maria Emelianova / FIDE_chess
About the event
Current World Champion Ding Liren, representing China, and challenger Gukesh D, from India, face each other in a fourteen-game classical chess match. The player who scores 7.5 points or more will win the match, picking up the better part of the $2.5 million total prize fund.
The first of the fourteen scheduled games took place on Monday, November 25 at 5 pm with Gukesh opening with White. Hosted at the luxurious Resorts World Sentosa the match is broadcast live with expert commentary on the FIDE YouTube Channel.
Source: FIDE NEWS
