Ding Liren, Gukesh D Draw in Second Game of FIDE World Championship

Posted : 27 November 2024

The second game of the FIDE World Championship between Ding Liren and Gukesh D ended in a calm draw after both players opted for a risk-free approach. The game saw multiple exchanges, leading to a threefold repetition by move 23, which resulted in a draw.

This outcome seemed satisfactory for both players, who had steered clear of complicated positions. The ceremonial first move was made by two local Singapore chess icons, Mr. Tan Lian Ann and Professor Lim Kok Ann, with Lim's daughter, Stella Kon, representing her late father.

Ding Liren's opening move of 1.e4 surprised commentators, as he had previously been hesitant to use the King's Pawn opening. Gukesh, on the other hand, carefully considered his strategy, particularly after Ding's unusual 5.Nc3 move, which introduced the Giuoco Pianissimo variation of the Italian Opening.

Although Ding had not played this line before, he took a measured approach, content with the position and a draw. Gukesh also played cautiously, focusing on maintaining a solid position rather than taking risks early in the match.

The game’s novelty came with Ding's 9.a5 move, which sought to seize space on the queenside, a line previously explored by other top players. As the game progressed, Gukesh demonstrated excellent form, especially in the middle game, where he took his time to find a strong sequence of exchanges.

Despite some earlier mistakes in the first game, Gukesh seemed more focused in this encounter, while Ding took a few moments away from the board. Commentary from GM Boris Gelfand highlighted that the game was slow but White seemed to have a slight edge, though Black's position was solid.

The pivotal moment came with Ding's 14.Rdc1 move, which puzzled many in the commentary booth. It was an unusual decision to move the rook to a seemingly less active file, and Gukesh spent over 25 minutes analyzing the position.

Ding's plan was to defend the c2-pawn and reposition his knight to block Black's d-file, but the move ultimately backfired. Ding later admitted that the move wasn't ideal, as Gukesh had established a strong knight on d4, and he was unable to follow through with a proper plan.

Throughout the game, fans were treated to insightful commentary, including a special appearance from five-time World Champion Vishy Anand, who is also one of Gukesh’s mentors. Anand expressed the significance of Gukesh’s potential impact on Indian chess, particularly if he were to win the match.

Meanwhile, the local organizers continued to enrich the event with side activities, including a presentation by Google DeepMind scientist Nenad Tomašev on the development of AlphaZero and its role in advancing chess strategies. The third game of the match will take place on November 27, with Gukesh D playing White.

Ding Liren, Gukesh D Draw in Second Game of FIDE World Championship

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