King Ding is horrified. Also.
Ding Liren made a spectacular return to the World Championship match, drawing on all his experience and showing dignity and resilience. On Monday, he defeated D. Gukesh in a near must-win match at World Resorts Sentosa.
After the 12th game, the score was 6.0-6.0. The two will approach the final rest day with all possible scenarios in mind, including a tie-break. What we know for sure is that as far as classic matches go, this match will go all the way.
Neither player can claim the crown with games remaining. For that you need 7.5 points. A draw would have suited Gukesh better on this day. After taking the lead for the first time in the match with a decisive victory in the last match, they could have consolidated their position with just half a point.
What Happens: Gukesh vs Ding Liren Game 4 Highlights
However, Mr. Ding did not feel like responding to that request. He chose England’s opener, as was the case for most of the match, and also ensured that there would be no time issues. He was able to get a better position from the beginning. He continued to develop it further and came up with the right move whenever it mattered most.
The same cannot be said about Gukesh. His great strength, accurate calculations, left him once and for all. If he were to face Din, who was playing at his best, the price would be high. That’s how it turned out.
He made mistakes in the 16th and 17th moves of Knight and Bishop, and White’s position began to look threatening. Ding kept the pressure on with a perfect pawn push in the middle. And with the 22nd move against Dark Square Bishop, Gukesh’s already unstable position became extremely difficult, if not nearly impossible, to defend.
Ding went on to capture several pawns, promoting the “d” pawn to 7th place. Gukesh’s pressing of the ‘f’ pawn on move 38 hastened the end. Ding then sacrificed his rook for a pawn and finished in style.
Mr. Gukesh resigned not too long ago with a checkmate. It was Ding’s first victory in white. He couldn’t have timed it better. After Sunday’s loss, he pointed out in a press conference that he won in a similar situation against Ian Nepomniachi in Game 12 of last year’s World Championship with a white piece.
Much to his delight, history repeated itself.
