Sun Dec 01 15:32:49 UTC 2024: ## Teen Chess Prodigy Gukesh Holds World Champion Ding Liren in Thrilling Draw
**SINGAPORE** – The 2024 World Chess Championship is shaping up to be a nail-biter after defending champion Ding Liren and teenage challenger Gukesh Dommaraju battled to a dramatic draw in their sixth game. The match, currently tied 3-3 after the first week of competition in Singapore, is poised for a thrilling conclusion.
Sunday’s game saw Ding, the Chinese grandmaster, initially dominate the 18-year-old Indian challenger. However, Dommaraju skillfully fought back, creating a complex endgame that ultimately ended in a threefold repetition after 46 moves, resulting in a draw after over four hours of play.
Dommaraju revealed he rejected an earlier draw offer, believing he could still find advantages, a gamble that almost backfired. Ding admitted to missing opportunities to capitalize on his advantage, a point he intends to address in future games.
The match has seen a fluctuating tide of victories and draws. Ding won the first game, followed by a draw, before Dommaraju secured a win in game three. The subsequent two games ended in draws, setting the stage for the current 3-3 deadlock.
With 14 games in total and the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner, the championship remains wide open. Dommaraju, the youngest player ever to compete in the World Championship, continues to impress, aiming to become the youngest undisputed world champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record. While pleased with his comeback after the initial loss, Dommaraju acknowledges the long road ahead, stating, “We are not even halfway through the event.” The match resumes on Tuesday after a rest day on Monday.
First Piper 