 "Explained: Ding Liren's 28th move blunder that allowed D Gukesh to win Game 11 of World Chess Championship")
For the first time in over a week, the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore did not witness reigning champion Ding Liren of China and his challenger, India’s D Gukesh, play out a draw. The Championship, which got underway on 25 November and is being played in a best-of-14-games format, was off to an exciting start with Ding and Gukesh collecting a victory each in the first three games.
Neither player, however, was willing to give an inch in the days that followed with the next seven games ending in a stalemate, resulting in the two players sitting level on five points each after 10 games. Not all the draws were the result of intense battles though as Gukesh and Ding shook hands after 23 and 36 moves in Games 2 and 10 respectively. Games 7 to 9 however, lasted more than 50 moves each with the seventh game turning out to be a thrilling 72-move affair.
On Sunday, Gukesh decided to end the long succession of draws with a comprehensive victory over the 32-year-old who had become the first Chinese Grandmaster to be crowned chess world champion last year. And he did so in some manner as his 29th move was enough to convince Ding to throw in the towel .
Ultimately though, it was one move by Gukesh and one blunder by Ding that changed the complexion of Game 11 and helped the former move into the lead for the first time in the ongoing championship.
Where Ding lost the game against Gukesh on Sunday
Gukesh decided to liven things up on Sunday with a Reti Opening, in which he pulled out his kingside knight to f3 instead of starting with a pawn. The unusual opening appeared to have caught Ding by surprise as he ended up consuming an hour for his first five moves, which pushed him on the back-foot and allowed Gukesh to move into the driving seat in the first half of the game.
The Indian GM too would find himself struggling during the middle game, consuming an hour for his 11th move as both players found themselves facing mounting time pressure. Towards the end, Ding had a little over eight minutes to make 16 moves while Gukesh needed to complete 15 moves in just under 15 minutes.
Also Read | D Gukesh says Game 11 against Ding Liren could have 'easily gone the other way'
What mattered in the end, however, was the player who was able to handle his nerves better. And in this case, Ding served Game 11 to Gukesh on a platter after his blunder in his 28th move, in which he responded to Gukesh’s 28… Rdb1 with Qc8.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe finals moments of Game 11! #DingGukesh
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 8, 2024
Gukesh D takes Qxc6 and Ding Liren resigns! pic.twitter.com/jlfMl6K3SV
The Chinese GM realised his mistake almost immediately, but it was too late by then as Gukesh promptly captured his remaining knight on c6 with his queen to move into the lead for the first time in the World Championship.
While Ding faces a must-win situation in each of the last three games if he is to successfully defend his title, all Gukesh needs to do in the business end of the World Championship is to avoid a defeat at all costs.
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