Ding holds Gukesh, leads 1.5-0.5
27th November, 2024 by R R Vasudevan from Singapore
Playing with white GM Ding Liren of China settled for a quiet draw in 23 moves against Challenger GM Gukesh Dommaraju of India in the second game of the FIDE World Championship 2024 took off at Equarius Hotel Sentosa, Singapore here today. Ding Liren leads the match with a score of 1.5-0.5 with twelve games to go.
Making the ceremonial first move for white was International Master and ten time Singapore Champion Tan Lian Ann, while Ms Stella Kon, representing her father, Late Lim Kok Ann – widely known as the father of chess in Singapore – made the move from the black side.
Giuoco Piano or the Italian opening came into the fray today, as World Champion Ding Liren preferred a quick repetition of moves leading to an early draw. “Today was a good day” quipped GM Gukesh to the media during the post match press conference. The World Champion moved with greater confidence, thanks to his long wanted win yesterday. Ding’s body language and quick reflex replies today augur a bigger task on hand for the Indian.
The critical moment took place an hour after the start, when Ding played an awkward looking 14.Rdc1 retreating the rook behind the “c” pawn conceding the “d” file to the Indian. A surprised Gukesh sank into deep thought, close to an hour, played 14…Nd4 driving Ding to think. The world champion refused to take the bait, repeated the moves and settled for a draw a few moves later.
It was a good day for Gukesh, who got to steady the boat after a knock in the first game. While for Ding who couldn’t do much today, it becomes one white less. “Today was a good day – hopefully we’ll have many more days coming,” concluded the Challenger. Walking the path of history will be 18-year-old Chennai based Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju. For him to have a tilt at the record of 22-year-old Garry Kasparov, he’d need to do an “Atlas Shrugged”, not impossible though.
The third game begins at 5 PM Singapore time Wednesday 27th November, 2024, with Challenger Gukesh Dommaraju sitting behind the white pieces. The player who scores 7.5 points or more will win this 14 game match, picking up the better part of the $2.5 million total prize fund. The match presented by Google, will be broadcasted LIVE with expert commentary on the FIDE YouTube Channel.
GM Ding Liren (2728) – GM Gukesh Dommaraju (2783) 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a4 d6 7. O-O h6 8. Be3 Be6 9. a5 Bxc4 10. dxc4 O-O 11. Bxc5 dxc5 12. b3 Qxd1 13. Rfxd1 Rad8 14. Rdc1 Nd4 15. Ne1 Rd6 16. Kf1 g6 17. Rd1 Rfd8 18. f3 Kg7 19. Kf2 h5 20. Ne2 Nc6 21. Nc3 Nd4 22. Ne2 Nc6 23. Nc3 Nd4 1/2-1/2
PICTURE COURTESY: FIDE (International Chess Federation)
