World Chess Championship: From Ding winning Game 1, Gukesh bouncing back in Game 3 to hat-trick of draws, journey so far

The World Chess Championship featuring reigning champion Ding Liren and challenger D Gukesh has nearly reached the halfway mark in Singapore with six games having been played so far since the best-of-14 series began last Monday. Gukesh is being backed as the strong favourite to become only the second Indian to be crowned world chess champion after Viswanathan Anand, given his red-hot form throughout the year.

Ding had the experience when it came to the World Championship, having beaten Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana last year, but had not won a game in the Classical format since January this year.

Despite being viewed as the underdog by many, including himself, Ding has put up an admirable fight and has ensured Gukesh has to fight hard and earn his victory, instead of breezing his way through the Championship.

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As of Monday, the second ‘Rest Day’ in the best-of-14 series that is set to run till the 13th of December, Ding and Gukesh are level on three points each out of a possible six, with the last three games ending in a draw.

Here’s a brief recap of the games that have taken place so far in the World Championship:

Game 1: Ding defeats Gukesh

Ding took Gukesh by surprise in the opening game of the World Championship last Monday , defeating the Indian GM in 42 moves despite playing with black pieces and appearing to struggle initially in the game. Starting with a French defence, Ding consumed 27 minutes for his seventh move, but began to look more reassured after the 20th move.

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And the tables would turn by the time the two players approached their 40th moves, at which point it was Gukesh running out of time and under the pump. The Indian GM resigned after his 42nd move, giving Ding his first win in the Classical format in 304 days. It was also the first time since 2010 that the opening game of a World Championship did not end in a draw.

Game 2: Draw

After Ding’s surprise victory in Game 1, the two players played out a 23-move draw that ended with a threefold repetition, allowing Gukesh to open his account in his maiden World Championship with half-a-point. Gukesh defended carefully after Ding opted for a Giuoco Piano opening. While Gukesh had begun Game 1 aggressively only to run out of time towards the end, he opted for a more sedate approach in the second game last Tuesday. Ding would continue to lead 1.5-0.5, but wouldn’t stay ahead for long.

Game 3: Gukesh defeats Ding

Pre-tournament favourite Gukesh finally caught up with Ding in Game 3 with a victory in 37 moves after both players opted to begin with the Queen’s Gambit variation.

The Indian GM was back to playing an aggressive brand of chess after his sedate approach helped him earn a draw in Game 2, and this time he was able to build time pressure on his opponent while also making a couple of key moves – such as capturing one of his bishops for two pawns. Ding had less than two minutes on the clock after Move 31 and eventually caved in to the mounting pressure to suffer first classical defeat at the hands of Gukesh.

Games 4 to 6: Draw

After the first ‘Rest Day’ on Thursday, Ding and Gukesh would play out a hat-trick of draws to remain on level terms heading into the second ‘Rest Day’ on Monday. Ding would later state the break helped him recover from the defeat in Game 3, as the two players decided to play a game that was mostly risk free, one in which they shook hands after the 42nd move following a series of repetitions.

The fifth game, which began with Gukesh going for Exchange French while playing with whites, would end even more quickly, with the two players shaking hands after completing their 40th moves. This time, however, it was Gukesh who was forced into making a desperate scramble to settle for a stalemate after nearly handing Ding the advantage by capturing his bishop with a pawn rather than with a rook in his 23rd move. Ding would later admit he had not realised his advantageous position and should have done better to go for the kill.

I cannot believe this! Once again, in a very pleasant risk free comfortable endgame, Ding opted to repeat moves! This is so disappointing!

It is Gukesh who refused to accept a draw and deviated! Kudos to him for trying to fight on!#DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/1hLNN74NAY

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) December 1, 2024

The sixth game began with a London system and saw Gukesh reject Ding’s offer for a draw via a threefold repetition in his 26th move and play for the win. His positive attitude, however, would ultimately not amount to much as the two players shook hands for a third game in a row after playing out 46 moves.