Indian chess prodigy D. Gukesh faced a setback in Game 12 of the World Chess Championship against defending champion Ding Liren of China. The game ended in 39 moves, with Ding Liren securing a crucial victory to level the match at 6 points each. This win came after seven consecutive draws, and it has now set the stage for an intense finish to the championship.
Gukesh vs Ding Liren
Gukesh, who had taken the lead after his victory in Game 11, played with the black pieces and opted for a Benoni defence with colours reversed. However, his preparation did not yield the desired results, and Ding Liren capitalized on this by gaining a small advantage by the 15th move. Gukesh’s 17th move further weakened his position, allowing Ding to break through in the centre and gain a significant advantage.
Ding Liren’s central pawn advance to the sixth rank on the 27th move was a near-decisive blow, and Gukesh had to sacrifice a couple of pawns to try and hold on. Ultimately, Ding’s fine tactic of sacrificing a rook forced Gukesh to resign. This victory has brought Ding back into contention, and with just two games remaining, the championship is poised for a thrilling conclusion.
🏆 FIDE World Chess Championship 2024: Game 12 Update 🇨🇳
Ding Liren bounces back in style! 🔥 After his Game 11 loss, Ding delivered a clutch victory over Gukesh D in a tense Game 12, leveling the scores at 6-6.
The game was a thriller, with both players battling under intense… pic.twitter.com/nliGvEVbAz
— Vikash Yadav (@The_Yadv) December 9, 2024
The next game, scheduled for December 11, 2024, will be crucial as both players vie for the title. Should the score remain tied after 14 rounds, the championship will be decided through rapid or blitz games under faster time controls.
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