Mon Dec 09 15:56:24 UTC 2024: ## Gukesh Inches Closer to Chess Crown, Trails Ding Liren 6-6
**Singapore, December 9, 2024** – The FIDE World Chess Championship is down to the wire, with Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh trailing defending champion Ding Liren 6-6 after twelve games. Gukesh, only 18, needs 1.5 points to become the youngest world champion ever. A large and vocal Indian contingent showed up to support Gukesh in Singapore.
Game 12 saw a tense match. While Gukesh had a time advantage early on, Ding Liren gained the upper hand mid-game, leaving Gukesh needing to make 16 moves in 13 minutes in a difficult position.
The match, currently tied, has captivated the chess world. The atmosphere in Singapore’s Sentosa, where the championship is being held, is electric. The tension is palpable as the final two games loom. Beyond the championship match, the chess world is also celebrating Arjun Erigaisi, who recently became the 15th player in history to achieve an Elo rating of 2800 – a significant milestone compared to achieving 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
The stakes are high: Gukesh’s victory would not only make him the youngest world champion but also mark a significant moment for Indian chess. The final two games promise to be a thrilling conclusion to this closely contested championship.
First Piper 