Thu Dec 05 17:27:38 UTC 2024: ## FIDE World Chess Championship: Another Draw Leaves Critics Unimpressed
SINGAPORE – The seventh round of the FIDE World Chess Championship between reigning champion Ding Liren of China and India’s Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa ended in a draw today. This marks the fifth consecutive draw in the 14-round match, fueling criticism from chess pundits who have expressed concerns about a lack of decisive play.
Praggnanandhaa, playing with white pieces, reportedly made efforts to avoid a draw. Liren, playing black, exhibited signs of frustration, a habit he’s known for, but seemed unusually agitated. Both players utilized their allotted bonus time, though Liren reportedly took significantly longer per move.
Despite Praggnanandhaa’s active play, the game concluded in a draw, leaving both players with 3.5 points each after seven rounds. Interestingly, tournament officials noted that Praggnanandhaa spent over 31% of his time with his eyes closed. The match continues, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner. The consecutive draws have raised questions about the competitiveness of the match so far.
First Piper 