 "World Chess Championship: D Gukesh says he's happy with 'very important' win over Ding Liren in Game 3")
India’s D Gukesh said that he was happy with his "very important win" against China's Ding Liren in Game 3 of the 2024 World Chess Championship in Singapore on Wednesday. After beginning the tournament with a loss with the white pieces on Monday, Gukesh secured a draw against Liren in Tuesday’s second match, where he played with black pieces.
Gukesh returned to playing with the white pieces on Wednesday and registered his first-ever classical win over Liren. The overall scores are now level at 1.5-1.5 with 11 games to go. “It’s always nice to win a game, also for the first against such a strong opponent. I think it means more that I got a win in the World Championship, and a very important win. I am happy with many things about this,” the 18-year-old said at a press conference on Wednesday.
As it happened | D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship Game 3
‘I was a bit nervous in first game
Gukesh recalled his defeat in the first game, admitting that he was nervous and cited Magnus Carlsen’s example. “I think it’s also understandable since it was my first game at the World Championship. I was a bit nervous. It’s a new setting for me.
“For example, even Magnus. In his first World Championship, he wasn’t at his best at the start. I think it is a very normal reaction, and I was okay with that. It was a bad game, but I was generally feeling good. I thought even though I was nervous, it wasn’t too much to handle. I felt good; it was a bad game, but I always knew once I settle in, I will get back my rhythm,” he stated.
Arjun Erigaisi | Gukesh a 'massive favourite' for World Chess Championship but any chess fan would hope that Ding shows up well
Thursday will be a rest day in the competition before the tournament resumes on Friday with the fourth game. Gukesh was asked if the rest day had any impact on his game’s approach on Wednesday. “Not really. I thought since tomorrow is a rest day so I will pit all my energy into this game and then I can rest so It didn’t make much of a difference, but it was nice to know that after today’s game I can just go and rest,” he said.
D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship 2024 | Schedule, live streaming and prize money
Gukesh took a significant amount of time to think on his next moves during the final stages of Game 3. “I was pretty confident at that point. I was just thinking about the position at that time, because I knew I should be winning. I wasn’t playing for time. I just like to finish it off clean,” opined the youngster.
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More Shorts‘Result of the game might influence my emotions on rest day’
Ding Liren, on the other hand, would be knowing by now that it won’t be easy against Gukesh. Ding was almost behind by an hour at one stage, and lost to Gukesh on time after 37 moves. The 32-year-old feels that Wednesday’s result could influence his emotions on rest day. “Not really, but the result of the game will maybe influence my emotions during the rest day,” said Liren.
When asked about how he plans to script a comeback, Liren said: “Just the position itself—I think if I have a chance in the game I need to press for the win.”
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