The World Chess Championship match between defending champion Ding Liren of China and India’s youngest-ever challenger, D Gukesh, featured another gripping contest in the seventh game on Tuesday.
Despite Gukesh’s strong position and notable advantage, the game concluded in a draw after an exhausting five hours and 22 minutes. The stalemate left the players tied at 3.5 points each, with four more points needed to secure the championship. The marathon match spanned 72 moves before both players agreed to the draw.
“The score is fine. Obviously, today was a missed chance. That is a bit of a disappointment, but he also missed some chances earlier in the match. So, I think it’s fair that we are here. The second half will be, of course, crucial.” – 🇮🇳 Gukesh D on the current match score 3½-3½,… pic.twitter.com/Ce9j2OphSY
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 3, 2024
Gukesh, playing with the white pieces, gained a significant advantage during the opening and middle game stages.
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A surprise move on his seventh turn caught Ding off guard, securing Gukesh a favorable position. He applied pressure through the center, advanced a dangerous passed pawn, and leveraged the advantage of the bishop pair to strengthen his stance. However, despite his promising position, Gukesh missed a critical opportunity to capitalize on his advantage, allowing Ding to fight his way back into contention.
Ding’s tenacity and resourceful play proved crucial as he defended resiliently, even with limited time on the clock. The game reached a pivotal moment on the 40th move when Ding lost a pawn, but Gukesh’s follow-up moves fell short of optimal, giving Ding the chance to equalize the position. As pawns were gradually traded off, Gukesh was left with a lone bishop, leading to an eventual draw.
The seventh game showcased an intense struggle between the two players, with Gukesh demonstrating his opening brilliance and Ding highlighting his exceptional defensive skills. While the game ended in a draw, the match remains finely balanced, promising an exhilarating finish in the games ahead.
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