D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Game 8 Highlights, World Chess Championship 2024: Round 8 ends in a draw, scores tied 4-4

4-4 between Ding and Gukesh! Game 8 of the World Championship saw both players with opportunities to seize the advantage, but it ultimately ended in another draw.

4-4 between Ding and Gukesh! Both players had their chances today in Game 8 of the World Championship, but in the end it was another draw: https://t.co/iSnQEXg1gA #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/eE4opCmIdl

— lichess.org (@lichess) December 4, 2024

GM Ding Liren: “Today during the game I didn’t realise I was winning at some point.”

D Gukesh praises his team: “My team they’re been doing great job, not only “Gaju” [Grzegorz Gajewski], but other team members as well, we managed to surprise him in the openings, I would like to thank my team and hopefully more interesting ideas will come.”

Game 8 between D Gukesh and Ding Liren ends in a draw after 51 moves. Here are all the moves:

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4 Nac5
27. Rc1 Bb3
28. Qe1 Be6
29. Qf2 Rc8
30. Be3 Rc7
31. Nd4 Bf7
32. Nc6 Rxc6
33. Bxc6 Qxc6
34. Bxc5 h6
35. Ke1 b4
36. Qd4 Ne5
37. Kd2 Qg2
38. Qf2 Qd5
39. Qd4 Qg2
40. Qf2 Qd5
41. Qd4 Qa2+
42. Rc2 Qe6
43. Qd8+ Kh7
44. Qxa5 b3
45. Rc1 Qd5
46. Qb4 Qg2
47. Qe4+ Qxe4
48. dxe4 b2
49. Rb1 Ba2
50. Rxb2 Nc4+
51. Kc3 Nxb2

We will bring you all the moves very soon but take a look at the final board position. It’s not a surprise that they settled for a draw now that only one bishop each was left. Gukesh also had a black Knight on the board.

One more match ends in a draw in the World Chess Championship 2024! The scores are now tied 4-4 after Game 8. The Game 8 ends after 51 moves as both players agree to settle for a draw.

Is this match heading towards a draw? All three results are possible at the moment but it seems draw is the most possible outcome.

All the moves so far and a live view of the board position:

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4 Nac5
27. Rc1 Bb3
28. Qe1 Be6
29. Qf2 Rc8
30. Be3 Rc7
31. Nd4 Bf7
32. Nc6 Rxc6
33. Bxc6 Qxc6
34. Bxc5 h6
35. Ke1 b4
36. Qd4 Ne5
37. Kd2 Qg2
38. Qf2 Qd5
39. Qd4 Qg2
40. Qf2 Qd5
41. Qd4 Qa2+
42. Rc2 Qe6
43. Qd8+ Kh7
44. Qxa5 b3
45. Rc1 Qd5

So Gukesh plays his Queen to a2 after Ding moves his white Queen to a questionable d4 position. The computer did not like the position of Gukesh’s Queen and he has since moved it to e6.

All the moves so far and a live view of the board position:

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4 Nac5
27. Rc1 Bb3
28. Qe1 Be6
29. Qf2 Rc8
30. Be3 Rc7
31. Nd4 Bf7
32. Nc6 Rxc6
33. Bxc6 Qxc6
34. Bxc5 h6
35. Ke1 b4
36. Qd4 Ne5
37. Kd2 Qg2
38. Qf2 Qd5
39. Qd4 Qg2
40. Qf2 Qd5
41. Qd4 Qa2+
42. Rc2 Qe6

Gukesh opts for Qd5 on his 40th move and adds 30 minutes to his quota. Ding is currently off his chair after playing Qd4 on his 41st move.

The 40th move has been played by Ding (Qf2) and he has got 30 more minutes. Gukesh has around 2 minutes to decide his 40th move.

All the moves so far and the live view of the board position:

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4 Nac5
27. Rc1 Bb3
28. Qe1 Be6
29. Qf2 Rc8
30. Be3 Rc7
31. Nd4 Bf7
32. Nc6 Rxc6
33. Bxc6 Qxc6
34. Bxc5 h6
35. Ke1 b4
36. Qd4 Ne5
37. Kd2 Qg2
38. Qf2 Qd5
39. Qd4 Qg2
40. Qf2

Gukesh loses a Rook and Knight while Ding loses a Knight and a Bishop. All three results are still possible.

All the moves so far and a live view of the board position:

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4 Nac5
27. Rc1 Bb3
28. Qe1 Be6
29. Qf2 Rc8
30. Be3 Rc7
31. Nd4 Bf7
32. Nc6 Rxc6
33. Bxc6 Qxc6
34. Bxc5 h6
35. Ke1 b4
36. Qd4

Be3 on the board and Ding has turned things around so quickly. Ding has created a strong fortress but Gukesh’s pieces are exposed. Ding has little time on the clock but he looks so relaxed now.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4 Nac5
27. Rc1 Bb3
28. Qe1 Be6
29. Qf2 Rc8
30. Be3

Gukesh does play Nac5 followed by Rc1 from Ding on the latest move. Seems like Gukesh is hoping for b3 but the computer is not in favour of Nac5.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4 Nac5
27. Rc1

Qb6 has been played by Gukesh on the 23rd move and the computer really likes it but Bb2? by Ding doesn’t get the same approval. Next is a pawn capture by Gukesh on a2 with his black Bishop followed by Bd4. Ding only has 15 minutes to play 14 moves.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8
22. Rb1 b5
23. cxb5 Qb6+
24. Kf1 cxb5
25. Bb2 Bxa2
26. Bd4

Suddenly we are watching some quick action after a brief lull in the match. After Guksh removes his Knight, DIng uses the white Rook to take the black Rook on e8. Teh white Rook is soon taken out by Gukeh’s black Rook which was on a8. Ding then plays Rb1 and the computer says it’s a blunder. b5 on the last move by Gukesh.

Even before Liren can go d4, Gukesh has moved his black Knight to d7. The computer says it is a wrong move. Will Ding go Qd2 now?

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3 Nd7

Gukesh responded to Ding’s d3 with Ne5 and the current world champion was quick to go Nf3 which means he could play d4 next. Decision time for Gukesh who currently has 25 minutes advantage over Ding.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7
19. d3 Ne5
20. Nf3

Liren has played the right move here. d3 on the 19th novel. Gukesh is currently thinking about his next move. Ding’s accuracy today has been 97.7 while Gukesh has played with 98.4 accuracy.

Gukesh’s slight advantage on the evaluation bar is gone and honestly, Liren looks in good shape now. But Ding currently has 22 moves to play and only has around 35 minutes left. Gukesh has over 1 hour and 12 minutes.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2 Qc7
18. Nd4 Bf7

Night c2 with white pieces from Liren has put Gukesh in the thinking mode but the Indian GM has over 30 minutes time advantage and also the momentum on his side. He also has a slight advantage on the evaluation bar.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6
17. Nc2

Finally, it seems that Ding has found some stability after a frantic opening where Gukesh seemed more confident and built a fort.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4 Na6

Ding captures the pawn on c4 and is currently off the table after playing Re4 on the 16th move. Gukesh is engaged in thinking about what could be his next move.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4
15. bxc4 Ng6
16. Re4

While many expected Ding to play f4, he went for f4 and his pawn was captured by Gukesh with exf4. White Rook takes out the black pawn.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8
13. f4 exf4
14. Rxf4

As said by GM Peter Leko, this match has become a tough tactical battle. The last move was from Gukesh and it was Re8. The Indian GM is not looking to open his defense.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1 Re8

This is some serious defensive play from Liren as he has taken a deep position. After Gukesh played a5, Ding could have gone for d4 but he opted for Ne1.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O
11. Rc1 a5
12. Ne1

It’s amazing how Gukesh has defended with black pieces and despite having the white pieces, Liren is currently almost 30 minutes down. Gukesh has been quite bold and that has helped him so far. For example, after Ding’s b3 on the 9th move, GuKesh was quick with d5 challenging the Chinese to take the risk. Tasty chess this!

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6
9. b3 d5
10. Ba3 O-O

Ding takes his time and finally goes for a short castle followed by Be6 by Gukesh. Liren looks out of his prep and out of his ideas. He is 20 minutes down on the clock.

Gukesh’s strong pawn fort has stumped him and the computer says that: “There are no games with this position found in the database.”

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6
8. O-O Be6

A bishop is captured by Liren on e7 with his Knight but that has been pushed out of the board by Gukeh’s black Knight.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7
4. Nf3 d6
5. g3 c6
6. Nxe7 Nxe7
7. Bg2 f6

Three moves have already been made by the players with Liren on the clock now.

1. c4 e5
2. Nc3 Bb4
3. Nd5 Be7

We have another new opening today with Liren opening the match with a c4 move with his white pieces followed by e5 from Gukesh.

Just to give you an idea, this is how the chess tank looks from outside where the matches are being played.

“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 looked set for a win and a 4-3 lead when Liren played 40…Ke5 under the pressure of time when he should have played 40…Nc8-b6. But Gukesh loosened the leash later on and Liren escaped with a draw in Game 7.

Gukesh had the advantage, but Ding managed to escape and secure the draw in an exciting Game 7 of the World Championship: 3.5 - 3.5! https://t.co/Mn0w0G9MwU #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/9VCOyQbLGe

— lichess.org (@lichess) December 3, 2024