Thu Dec 05 16:08:02 UTC 2024: ## Guakeš and Ding Draw Again in World Chess Championship
**Singapore** – Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh once again failed to convert a strong position into a win against Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship final. Their eighth-round match, played Wednesday in Singapore, ended in a draw after 51 moves and over four and a half hours of play. This was the sixth draw in the 14-round match, leaving both players with 4 points each – 3.5 points shy of the 7.5 points needed to win the championship.
Gukesh, playing black, employed a novel opening that initially unsettled Ding. However, Ding’s strong defense and two crucial mistakes by Gukesh in the middlegame thwarted the Indian player’s attempts to secure a victory. At one point, Ding was under significant time pressure, but Gukesh missed an opportunity to capitalize, allowing Ding to recover and force a draw.
Ding commented post-match that he never felt he was in a winning position. He acknowledged Gukesh’s opening as uncomfortable but not alarming. Gukesh rejected a draw offer by Ding on move 41, choosing to continue despite a less advantageous position – the second time he’s rejected a draw offer in the final.
The ninth round, where Gukesh will play with white pieces, will take place on Thursday. Six rounds remain in the 14-round match; the first player to reach 7.5 points will be crowned world champion. The previous four games between Gukesh and Ding also ended in draws.
First Piper 