Grivas on games five and six

by Efstratios Grivas
12/2/2024 – Going to the second free day, the match for the FIDE World Championship 2024, between the World Champion Ding Liren and the Challenger D. Gukesh, is tied on 3-3 after six games. Ding seems to be in charge by now, as he has lost a number of opportunities to gain a one or two points lead already! International chess trainer GM Efstratios Grivas provides his take on games five and six.

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After the six encounters, each opponent has won one game, and there were four fighting draws to complete the picture. Ding seems to be in charge, while Gukesh is fighting well and tries to create chances in every game. But it is Ding who finds them. However, he doesn’t take advantage of the "presents" of his opponent!

The match remains unclear and promises more entertaining games. Here are my comments on games five and six – followed by a replayer with all six games with my annotations.

Live commentary during the game by ChessBase India

And here for all who missed it: my commentary on all six games:

<< World Championship Game 6: Another hard-fought draw, the tension rises
FIDE ratings - December 2025 >>
Efstratios (30.03.1966) is a highly experienced chess trainer and chess author. He has been awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) the titles of International Chess Grandmaster, FIDE Senior Trainer, International Chess Arbiter and International Chess Organiser.
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Karsten Müller Karsten Müller 6 hours ago
In the 5th game 27...Be6!? was indeed better, but should not win:
"Dear Karsten,

I think 27...Be6 28.Rd4 Rc8! is an improvement for Black, as White has to play more accurately. 29.Bf2 Rc6 30.Rd8+! Ke7 31.Rd6!...
But in the end you are right.
The SF17 gives evaluations of -0.7 to -0.8 at depth 30 to 45 in the main line. Which means: Theoretically drawn, but practically White has a hard time to defend.

Gukesh's 23.dxe5 was the start of his problems. Instead 23.Rxe5 keeps the balance.
Best wishes,
Wolfram (Schoen)"
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