D Gukesh 'disappointed' after missing out on a win in Game 7 vs Ding Liren: 'Today was a missed chance'

D Gukesh did not shy away from admitting that he missed out on a golden opportunity to take a lead in the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 as Game 7 ended in a draw on Tuesday (3 December) . The latest result, the fourth consecutive draw, in the World Chess Championship 2024 has the players tied on 3.5-3.5 points with seven more matches to go. The first player to reach 7.5 points will win the world chess title.

“Today was a missed chance so that is a disappointment. But earlier he also missed chances. It’s fair where we are here. The second half will of course be crucial,” Gukesh said in the post-match press conference.

“It’s never pleasant to miss a winning position but I’m happy about the fact that I outplayed my opponent quite easily in the opening”

Gukesh started the match with White pieces and a Neo-Grünfeld Defense. On the seventh move, Gukesh played Re1 and that forced Liren to take 28 minutes before he came up with dxc4. The 18-year-old Grandmaster Gukesh put Liren under more pressure with some quick and sharp moves but the 32-year-old reigning world champion always found a way to keep his King safe and kept stretching the match.

Eventually, the game ended in a draw after 72 moves.

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren: How Game 7 panned out

Ding Liren, who appeared to have resolved his opening struggles in recent games, found himself under pressure once Gukesh pulled off a surprising Re1. As a result, despite opting for a standard continuation, White’s position remained superior.

Gukesh capitalized on the advantage, exerting pressure through the center and created a dangerous passed pawn early in the middle game. His control of the bishop pair compounded Liren’s difficulties.

Both players made inaccuracies in the middle game, and while Liren seemed close to equalizing, the effort consumed much of his time. With 40 moves required in two hours without increments, Liren faced a critical time crunch.

Gukesh traded queens after fracturing Black’s kingside pawn structure, securing a clear advantage. However, as has happened before, the 40th move proved decisive yet again. Liren lost a pawn, possibly due to an oversight or underestimating Gukesh’s chances.

Despite gaining the upper hand, Gukesh struggled with technical precision — a recurring challenge in this championship. His 45th move allowed Liren to mount a resourceful defense, clawing his way back into the game.

Liren’s resilience shone during the second time control, where he played tenaciously despite being left with only four minutes and a 30-second increment per move.

Gukesh, who seemed poised for victory after the first time control, ultimately had to settle for a draw. The game concluded with all pawns traded and Gukesh left with a lone bishop, unable to convert his earlier advantage.

All the moves from Gukes vs Liren Game 7 that ended in a draw:

2. Nf3 d5

3. g3 g6

4. d4 Bg7

5. c4 c6

6. Bg2 Nf6

7. O-O O-O

8. Re1 dxc4

9. e4 Bg4

10. Nbd2 c5

11. d5 e6

12. h3 Bxf3

13. Bxf3 exd5

14. exd5 Nbd7

15. Nxc4 b5

16. Na3 Qb6

17. Bf4 Rfe8

18. Qd2 Rd8

19. Nc2 Nf8

20. b4 c4

21. Be3 Qa6

22. Bd4 Rxe1

23. Rxe1 Qxa2

24. Ra1 Qb3

25. Ra3 Qb1+

26. Kg2 Rd7

27. Ra5 Qb3

28. Ra3 Qb1

29. Ra5 Qb3

30. Rxb5 Qd3

31. Qf4 Qxc2

32. Bxf6 Qf5

33. Qxf5 gxf5

34. Bxg7 Kxg7

35. Rc5 Ng6

36. Rcx6 Ne5

37. Rd4 Nc6

38. Rf4 Ne7

39. b5 Kf6

40. Rd4 h6

41. Kf1 Ke5

42. Rh4 Nxd5

43. Rxc6 Nc3

44. Rc6 Ne4

45. Ke1 f6

46. h4 Rd3

47. Bd1 f4

48. gxf4+ Kxf4

49. Bc2 Rd5

50. Rc4 f5

51. Rb4 Kf3

52. Bd1+ Kg2

53. Rb3 Re5

54. f4 Re7

55. Re3 Rh7

56. h5 Nf6

57. Re5 Nxh5

58. Rxf5 Ng3

59. Rf8 Rb7

60. Ba4 Kf3

61. f5 Kf4

62. f6 Ne4

63. Bc2 Nd6

64. Rd8 Ke5

65. Bb3 Nf7

66. Rd5+ Kxf6

67. Kd2 Rb6

68. Bc4 Rd6

69. Kc3 Rxd5

70. Bxd5 Nd6

71. Kb4 Nxb5

72. Kxb5+ a6+

73. Kxa6