World Championship Game 4: Gukesh reacts well to Ding's opening surprise, draws

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
11/29/2024 – The World Chess Championship in Singapore remains tied after four games, with Gukesh D holding reigning champion Ding Liren to a draw in their latest encounter. Ding's creative opening, influenced by his second Richard Rapport, tested the young challenger, but Gukesh aptly navigated the complications to secure a solid result with the black pieces. | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally.
FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before. 

"I believe in good moves"

Find below expert video analyses by GM Daniel King and IM Robert Ris.

The fifth game of the World Chess Championship in Singapore saw Gukesh D, the young challenger, comfortably handling Ding Liren's opening preparation with the black pieces. Despite Ding's efforts to create pressure, Gukesh navigated the complications adeptly, leading to a draw after 42 moves. This result means the score remains tied, keeping the match balanced as it approaches the halfway mark.

Ding opted for an unusual opening with 1.Nf3 and an early 5.Ba3, steering the game into less-explored territory. The creative choice highlighted the influence of Richard Rapport, Ding's second, who is renowned for his inventive style. Rapport, who also supported Ding in last year's championship, was seen accompanying him to the playing hall alongside Ni Hua, another member of Ding’s team. Their partnership appears to blend camaraderie and innovative preparation, crucial assets for the reigning champion.

After the game, Gukesh revealed he had been "playing over-the-board from very early on", displaying his comfort in navigating uncharted positions. Ding managed to gain a slight advantage but decided to simplify rather than push too hard, ultimately leading to a peaceful outcome. Reflecting on his strategy, Ding commented:

This round, I tried to play safe. It turns out I got a little bit of an advantage. The score is still balanced. There are more games to come.

A light-hearted moment occurred in the post-game press conference, where Gukesh was asked about numerology, referencing Garry Kasparov's belief in its significance. The question linked Gukesh's age and potential to become the 18th World Champion to Kasparov's 13th title. Gukesh, however, dismissed the notion with poise, citing Bobby Fischer's famous quote:

I believe in good moves. Yeah, I'm just trying to make good moves.

While Gukesh has drawn both games with black, his performances with white have been decisive so far. Saturday's game, the only one where Gukesh will play with the white pieces before the second rest day on Monday, promises to be another thrilling encounter. The young challenger is expected to press hard for a win as the tightly contested match continues to capture the chess world's attention.

Xie Jun

GM Xie Jun, four-time women's world champion, made the first move for Ding Liren | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Vishy Anand

GM Viswanathan Anand, five-time world champion, made the first move for Gukesh D | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Ding ½ - ½ Gukesh

Analysis by André Schulz

Ding Liren

Ding Liren | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Dommaraju Gukesh

Gukesh D | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Expert analyses

Commentary by GM Daniel King

Commentary by IM Robert Ris

Games

Schedule

World Chess Championship 2024

Links

Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.