Wed Dec 04 16:56:04 UTC 2024: ## Chess World Championship: Draw Streaks Continue as Gukesh Misses Chance Against Ding Liren
**Singapore** – The World Chess Championship match between defending champion Ding Liren of China and teenage challenger Gukesh Dommaraju of India ended in a draw for the fifth consecutive game on Wednesday, leaving the score tied at 4-4 after eight rounds. The stalemate continues the deadlock in the first-ever World Championship match between two Asian players.
Gukesh, playing black, again squandered a strong mid-game position due to a series of inaccurate moves, according to analysts. Despite Ding offering a draw after 41 moves, Gukesh, aiming for a win, launched an attack in the endgame. However, Ding successfully repelled the offensive, leading to another draw after 51 moves.
Gukesh acknowledged his misjudgment, stating he “didn’t think [he] was in much danger” when rejecting the draw offer. Ding expressed regret at not capitalizing on his advantage, admitting he failed to realize he was winning at one point.
The 18-year-old Gukesh, the youngest player ever to compete in a World Championship, is striving to become the youngest undisputed world champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record. The match continues Thursday at Resorts World Sentosa, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner. Tiebreaks will be used if the score remains tied at 7-7 after all 14 games.
First Piper 