Grivas on WCh games 13 + 14

Game 13

A strange game, where Gukesh came early with new ideas and after some inaccuracies from his opponent, got some really good chances to prevail. But, as happened already in some of the previous games, Ding escaped some difficult moments, and in the end he had no real troubles to secure the draw. Especially the missing chance in the 31st move, will be remembered, as Gukesh could gain a large advantage and probably a material one soon, which could bring him very close to the world title. But after he missed it, Ding played with accuracy, giving his opponent no more chances to hope for than something more than a draw.

The players at the press conference. Photos by Eric Rosen

It seems that the young challenger is lacking some important qualities; in other words it might be said that he is hardly mature for the world title. Patience and concrete decision-making should be the main missing qualities, but of course, nobody can underestimate the great tension by playing for the world title!

Gukesh, Dommaraju2783

½–½

Ding, Liren2728

FIDE-Wch Singapore11.12.2024[Efstratios Grivas]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 (D)

Back in the footsteps of the 1st game! 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2 c5 6.c3 Nc6 (D)

7.a3 A rare continuation, which also scores badly for White. In the 1st game we have seen 7.f4 a5 . Well, I cannot really praise D.Gukesh's home-preparation in this match; it looks to me quite poor 7...Be7 (D)

I feel that the text is a modest way to face things. 7...Qb6 (D)

Has been tried as well: 8.Nf3 8.b4 cxd4 9.cxd4 f6 10.f4 10.Be3!? Qc7 11.f4 10...Be7 11.Nf3 0-0∞ Samadashvili,M-Zilajeva,V Saint Louis 2019 8...cxd4 9.cxd4 Be7 Kamsky,G-Dilmukhametov,A Internet 2024. But it seems that 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 f6! (D)

Is more dynamic and looks fine for Black: 9.exf6 Qxf6 10.Nf3 10.f4 Bd6 11.Nf3 0-0 12.Be3 Nb6 Landron de Guevara Pinto,P-Adla,D Sanxenxo 2022 10...Bd6 11.Ng3 11.Bg5 Qf7 12.Ng3 h6 13.Bd2 0-0 Sahidi,S-Valko,M Senec 2023 11...e5! 12.dxe5 Ndxe5∞ . 13.Qxd5 Nxf3+ 14.Qxf3 Qxf3 15.gxf3 0-0 8.Be3! White is trying to live without an f4 advance and the text is a novelty to 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Nf4 Qa5 10.Be3 Nxd4! 10...cxd4? 11.b4! Qd8 12.cxd4± Suyarov,M-Bluebaum,M Internet 2024 11.Nxd4 cxd4 12.Bxd4 Qc7∞ Parligras,M-Nisipeanu,L Khanty Mansiysk 2019. 8...Nb6?! (D)

Black is going to the wrong direction. He should have opted for 8...cxd4 9.cxd4 b5 , when White can hold on to a slight advantage, after 10.Nf3 Qb6 11.h4 b4 12.Rh3! . 9.Nf4! cxd4 Interesting is to keep the tension in the centre by 9...Bd7 10.Nf3 Na5 10...c4 11.h4 h6 , planning ...Na5 and ...Ba4), is another way to play 11.dxc5 Ba4 12.Qb1 Nbc4 13.b4 Nxe3 14.fxe3 Nc6 15.Nd3 . 10.cxd4 (D)

10...Nc4?! Clarifies things too quickly. 10...Bd7 11.Rc1 Na5 12.Nh5 Rg8 13.Qg4 g6 14.Nf3 Nac4 15.Be2! , could be extremely messy, although White's position looks preferable. 11.Bxc4 dxc4 (D)

12.Nge2? 12.Qg4! , is a typical 'French Defence' assault and should give White the upper hand: Qa5+ 12...Nxd4? 13.0-0-0! Nb3+ 14.Kb1 Qc7 15.Nh5! g6 16.Ng7+ Kf8 17.Bh6 Kg8 18.Ne8! Qxe5 19.Nf3 Qf5+ 20.Qxf5 gxf5 20...exf5 21.Nc7 Rb8 22.Rhe1+- 21.Nc7 Rb8 22.g4!± 12...0-0 13.Nf3± 13.Bd2 Qb6 14.Nge2 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 Qxd4 16.Qxg7 Rf8 17.Be3!± . 12...b5?! There was no need for the text, at least not yet. 12...f6 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.0-0 e5 15.Nh5 exd4 16.Nxf6+ Qxf6 17.Nxd4 0-0 (D)

Should solve all black opening problems. 13.0-0 0-0 14.Nc3 Rb8 15.Nh5! Now White can present some active play on the kingside. f5 Stopping an eventual Qg4, The passive way with 15...Kh8 16.Qg4 Rg8 17.Rfd1 , could have been thought. 16.exf6 Bxf6 (D)

17.Qf3?! The direct 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6 17...Rxf6? 18.Bg5± 18.d5 exd5 19.Qxd5+ Qe6 20.Rfd1 , should have been tried. 17...Qe8 Black could sacrifice the exchange by 17...Nxd4 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Qd1 e5! 20.Bg5 Bf5 , where things looks like highly unclear, but netherless, there are chances for both sides. 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Qe2 (D)

It seems that White couldn't get something out of the opening, but netherless, his position isn't bad as well! The opposite-coloured bishops is another important fact, as White is stronger on the dark squares and Black on the light, so play should be focused on those characteristics. 19...Qg6 A logical continuation, as the black queen gets an active position. Instead, 19...Ne7 (D)

Would make White happier after 20.Bf4! Ra8 20...Rxf4? 21.Qe5+- 21.Be5 Rg6 22.a4 Bb7 23.f3 . 20.f3 (D)

A useful move. As Black wants to place his bishop on b7 in some cases, targeting g2, White removes all potential threats, gaining control over the e4-square as well. 20...Rf8?! Black could live without the text, so 20...a6 21.Rad1 Bb7 22.Ne4 Rf5 23.Nc5 Nd8!∞ , was logical. 21.Rad1 Ne7 (D)

22.Bf4! 22.d5 Nxd5 23.Nxd5 exd5 24.Bxa7 24.Rxd5 Bf5! 25.Re1 a5∞ 24...Ra8 25.Bc5 Re8 26.Qf2 Be6 27.Bd4 , seems like giving White a slight plus, but it should be quite holdable for Black. 22...Rb6 (D)

Of course, 22...Rxf4? 23.Qe5+- , was out of the question, while 22...Rb7?! 23.Bd6± , wasn't welcomed as well. 23.Bc7! Rb7?! 23...Rc6 , was forced: 24.Be5 Rb6! 25.a4 a6 26.Ne4 , when Black is suffering, but there is plenty of play around. 24.Bd6! Re8 (D)

25.Bxe7? White hurries to clear-up the situation, but 25.Rfe1! , was rather strong: Nf5 26.Bb4 Bd7 27.Qe4 Rbb8 28.d5± . 25...Rexe7 26.Qe5 a6 Well, it looks like Black is now perfectly safe here, as White failed to take his chances… 27.d5! This central strike ‘fails’ to give White something really ‘good’, but it creates central activity and maybe his choices were limited here, as 27.h4 h6 28.Rfe1 Rbd7 , seems to be fine for Black. Netherless, White is risking nearly nothing, while Black should be quite careful... 27...exd5 28.Qxd5+ Qe6! (D)

Precise defence! 29.Qc5! There is no need to exchange queens, as the endgame could be even better for Black (bishop vs. knight in an open position & queenside black pawn majority), so White wisely tries to play on the dark squares. Re8! Anticipating all back-rank white threats, equalising the position. 30.Rde1! (D)

An interesting try, offering two rooks for the black queen. 30.Rd6 , seems dangerous, but Black can annihilate White's initiative after Qe7! 31.Nd5 Qe5= . By the way, 30.Rfe1 , would be more forceful. 30...Qf7? Black should accept the challenge and go for 30...Qxe1 31.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 32.Kf2 Re8 33.Ne4 Rbe7! . After something like 34.a4 34.Nd6 Re5! 34...Bd7 35.axb5 axb5 36.Qd5+ Be6! 37.Qxb5 Kh8 38.h4 Bg8∞ , the position is unclear. Interesting is the fact that after 39.Qb4 (or something similar), (D)

Black can opt for 39...Rxe4! 40.fxe4 Rxe4= , as White cannot make any serious improvement. 31.Ne4? (D)

Returning the favour at once! After 31.Rxe8+ Qxe8 32.Ne4 , Black would be in trouble: Qd7 33.Nd6 Rb8 33...Rc7? 34.Qd5+ Kh8 34...Kf8 35.Re1+- 35.Re1+- 34.Qd5+ Kf8 34...Kh8? 35.Re1+- Bb7 36.Nf7+ 35.Rd1 Bb7 36.Qe5!± (D)

White dominates! It seems that here Black has nothing better than 36...Qe7 37.Nxc4! Qxe5 38.Nxe5± , with material gain. 31...Rf8! Probably D.Gukesh missed the text... 32.Nd6 Rc7 The point of Black's defence. 33.Qe5 Qf6! With precise moves, Black preserves the equilibrium. 34.Qd5+ Kh8 35.Re5 (D)

White again tries to play on the dark squares - a logical approach, as Black is missing a darksquared bishop. 35...Re7 35...Bb7! , was more precise, developing finally the bishop: 36.Nxb7 Rxb7 37.Re6 37.Qxb7?! Qxe5 37...Qf7!= . 36.Rfe1 Nothing is gained by 36.Rxe7 Qxe7 37.Rd1 h6= . 36...Rxe5 37.Rxe5 (D)

After 37.Qxe5 Qxe5 38.Rxe5 h6 , White would be marginally better, but nothing special indeed. 37...h6! Black needs to be protected against back-rank threats. 38.Qc5 Bd7 38...Kh7 39.Ne8 39.Nxc8 Rxc8 40.Qe3 Rd8= 39...Qd8 40.Nd6 Qf6= , would be simply equal. 39.Ne4 (D)

39...Qf4! Again best! White would preserve some chances after the inaccurate 39...Qd8?! 40.Rd5! Rf7 41.h3 . 40.Re7 Bf5 (D)

The first time control has been completed and the position remains equal. 41.Qd4 Rg8! 42.h3 White has nothing better; he needs also to secure his king. Qc1+ 43.Kf2 Bxe4 And now there isn't any more dark or light square domination for either side - no light piece left in the board! 44.Rxe4 (D)

44...c3 The position is equal, but there is no harm for Black to try a bit... 44...a5 45.Re6 b4 46.axb4 axb4 47.Rc6= , is plain equal. 45.bxc3 Also equal is 45.Qxc3 Qxc3 46.bxc3 Rc8 47.a4 47.Re3 Rc4! 48.Re6 48.Ke2 Ra4 48...Ra4 49.c4! Rxa3 50.cxb5 axb5= 47...Rxc3 48.axb5 axb5 49.Re8+ Kh7 50.Rb8= . 45...Qxa3 46.Kg3 It looks like Black's a passed pawn could give him some chances, but White's strong centralised pieces will not allow that... Qb3 Stopping an eventual Re6 and opens the route of the a-pawn. 47.Re7 a5 48.Rb7 Qc4 (D)

Or 48...a4 49.Rb6 Kh7 50.Qe4+= . 49.Qe5 There wouldn't be much to play for, even with 49.Qxc4 bxc4 50.Ra7! 50.Rc7 Ra8! 51.Rxc4 a4 52.Rb4 a3 53.Rb1 a2 54.Ra1 Kg8 55.Kf4= 50...Rb8 51.Rxa5 Rb3 52.Kf4 Rxc3 53.Rc5= . 49...Qc6 49...b4 50.Rb6 Kh7 51.cxb4 axb4 52.Qe4+ Qxe4 53.fxe4 , could only be helpful to White, but the position remains a theoretical draw. 50.Qxb5 Qxc3 51.Ra7 (D)

51...Qe1+ 52.Kh2 Qb4 Simpler seems to be 52...Qe3 53.Qxa5 Qf4+= , with a draw by perpetual check. 53.Qxb4 axb4 54.Rb7 Ra8 55.Rxb4 (D)

White won a pawn, but the resulting rook ending of 3:2 pawns on the same side, without any passed pawn, is an easy theoretical draw. As usual, the opponents fought till the very end… 55...Ra2 56.Kg3 Kh7 57.Rb5 Kg6 58.f4 Kf6 59.Kf3 Rc2 60.g3 Rc3+ 61.Kg4 Ra3 62.h4 Rc3 63.Rb6+ Kf7 64.f5 (D)

64...h5+ There are many ways to achieve the draw, as the waiting 64...Ra3= . 65.Kf4 65.Kxh5 Rxg3= , is also going nowhere. 65...Rc4+ 66.Kf3 Or 66.Kg5 Rg4+ 67.Kxh5 Rxg3= . 66...Rc3+ 67.Kf4 Rc4+ 68.Kf3 Rc3+ (D)

Draw agreed, by three-fold move repetition. ½–½

Game 14

The last classical game of the match for the FIDE World Championship 2024 started well for Ding. After a reversed opening (a case so often met in this match), White seemed to be doing okay, but it was ‘obvious’ that Ding was lacking the necessary energy to press his opponent. Gukesh got a fine position, where Ding even gave a pawn, to reach a drawn ending. But suddenly he blundered in this equal position, handing his opponent the FIDE World Champion title!

Ding blunders has in game 14, and resigns... 

Gukesh cannot believe it. He is the new World Champion! [Photos Maria Emelianova]

I can even recall that something similar happened back in 2010, when Topalov lost the last game of the FIDE World Championship 2010 (with the white pieces as well!) to Anand, in a more or less equal position!

Ding, Liren2728

0–1

Gukesh, Dommaraju2783

FIDE-Wch Singapore12.12.2024[Efstratios Grivas]

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 (D)

4.d4 With the text D.Liren decided to opt for a reversed 'Gruenfeld Defence'. He could also opt for other reversed openings, as the 'Benoni Defences' with 4.c4 d4 , or the 'King's Indian Defence' with 4.d3 . 4...e6 4...cxd4 5.Nxd4 e5 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.c4 , is the classical position of the 'Gruenfeld Defence' (reversed). 5.0-0 (D)

5...cxd4 5...Nf6 6.c4 , leads to positions from either the 'Semi-Tarrasch Defence', or the 'Catalan'; always reversed! 6.Nxd4 Nge7 (D)

6...Bc5 , is perfectly playable: 7.Nb3 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.c4 Nf6 9.Qc2 Carlsen,M-Praggnananandhaa,R Internet 2022, might be a better white try 7...Bb6 8.e4 d4 9.c3 e5 10.cxd4 exd4∞ Artemiev,V-Praggnanandhaa,R Samarkand 2023. 7.c4 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Nc6 9.Qd1 d4 10.e3! (D)

The black centre should be provoked! 10...Bc5 The text looks like an early novelty to 10...e5 11.exd4 exd4 12.Re1+ Be7 13.Bg5 Sarakauskas,G-Willow,J England 2022. 11.exd4 Bxd4! The right capture, as 11...Qxd4? 12.Qe2? 0-0 13.Nc3± , or 11...Nxd4? 12.b4! Be7 13.Bb2± , would be quite pleasant for White. 12.Nc3 (D)

12...0-0 12...Bxc3?! 13.bxc3 0-0 , looks quite good for Black, due to the doubled white c-pawns, but White has the bishop pair and queenside pressure via the semi-open b-file, so he should have the advantage. 13.Nb5 Bb6?! (D)

13...e5! , was Black's best, After 14.Nxd4 exd4 14...Nxd4?! 15.b3 Qc7 16.Bb2 Rd8 17.Qh5 Be6 18.Rfe1 f6 19.Rad1 15.Re1 Be6 16.b3 , White enjoys a tiny advantage, due mainly to his bishop pair, but Black can put-up a strong fight, due to his passed pawn and piece activity. 14.b3?! Logical, but White had a stronger solution, namely 14.Qe2! e5 14...a6?! 15.Rd1± 15.Rd1 Qf6 16.Be3 Nd4 17.Nxd4 exd4 17...Bxd4? 18.Rd2± 18.Bf4 Bf5 19.Qe5! , where Black would suffer in the coming endgame, as his d-pawn is weaker than passed. 14...a6! 15.Nc3 Bd4 16.Bb2 e5 (D)

Now Black should feel OK, as his centralised pieces help him a lot. 17.Qd2 Be6?! 17...Qa5 18.h3 Be6 19.Rfd1 Rad8 , would be more precise. White then might have nothing better than 20.Nd5 Bxb2 20...Qxd2 21.Rxd2 Bxb2 22.Rxb2 Rd7 23.Nb6! Rd6 24.Na4 Rfd8 25.Nc5 Bc8 26.b4∞ 21.Qxb2 Nd4 22.Rd3 f6∞ . 18.Nd5! (D)

18...b5! The point of Black's earlier move - he opts for queenside activity! 19.cxb5?! White loses any advantage he had gained after the text. He should have opted for 19.Bxd4 Nxd4 (D)

20.f4! bxc4 21.bxc4 Rc8 22.Rac1 Qd6! 22...f6 23.Qe3 23.fxe5 Qc5! 23...Qxe5? 24.Rfe1+- 24.Kh1 Nc6 . Well, White has an extra pawn, but Black can present compensation, due to his active and centralised pieces. 19...axb5 (D)

20.Nf4! Preserving the balance. exf4 21.Bxc6 Bxb2 22.Qxb2 Rb8 Now the position is approximately equal, but of course it is too early to think of the draw... 23.Rfd1 23.gxf4?! Qd6 24.Bg2 Qxf4 , can only favour Black. 23...Qb6 24.Bf3 fxg3 25.hxg3 (D)

25...b4 Fixing the queenside pawns, forcing White's hand. 26.a4 bxa3 27.Rxa3 g6 (D)

Both opponents are heading for the endgame, where White will try to benefit from his 'passed' b-pawn, while Black will try to put pressure on it. As said, the position is approximately equal. 27...Bxb3? 28.Rb1+- , would be a lethal mistake. 28.Qd4 Qb5 29.b4?! Although the text move is losing a pawn, but not the game, there was no need to go for it. Natural was 29.Rd3 Rfc8 30.Kg2= , preserving the balance. 29...Qxb4 30.Qxb4 Rxb4 31.Ra8 Rxa8 32.Bxa8 (D)

Just as the 13th game, L.Ding successfully sacrificed a pawn to get to a simple endgame to hold. But D.Gukesh has more experience today. He grabbed the pawn quicker and without hesitation. He knows L.Ding is harmless... 32...g5 33.Bd5 Bf5 As the plain rook ending after 33...Bxd5 34.Rxd5 h6 35.Kg2 , is a very simple draw, Black retains the bishops in the board. 34.Rc1 Kg7 35.Rc7 Bg6 36.Rc4 (D)

Even if the winning chances for Black here is nearly to zero (if White is not helpful!) he rightly preserves both pieces in the board, to keep his tiny chances. 36...Rb1+ 37.Kg2 Re1 38.Rb4 Although the text cannot be criticised, 38.g4 , should be clearer. 38...h5! 39.Ra4 Re5 40.Bf3 Kh6 41.Kg1 Re6 42.Rc4 g4 43.Bd5 Rd6 (D)

D.Gukesh has no choice but to fight on because he is up a pawn. L.Ding was correct when he said after game 13 that there will not be a short draw in the final game. He is a man of his words. He never promised to win, just a long fight... The best that Black can get is an ending of rook & bishop vs. rook, but even this is nearly a fantasy... 44.Bb7 Kg5 45.f3 Exchanging pawns is a good strategy on the way to the draw. But nearly every move here was OK. f5 46.fxg4 hxg4 47.Rb4 Bf7 48.Kf2 Rd2+ (D)

49.Kg1 49.Ke3 Ra2 50.Rb5 Bc4 51.Rc5 Re2+ 52.Kd4 Bf7= , should be also fine for White. But in general, you shouldn't get your king away from the protection of your pawn structure. 49...Kf6 50.Rb6+ Kg5 (D)

51.Rb4 Be6 52.Ra4 Rb2 53.Ba8 The 'misery' of White started with this move, which is also fine, but 'preferable' was 53.Bg2= . 53...Kf6 54.Rf4 Ke5 (D)

55.Rf2? A terrible blunder! In this drawn position L.Ding inexplicably backed his rook to f2, which allowed D.Gukesh to force a won king & pawn ending. He had approximately 10 minutes on his clock when he played text, so it had to do nothing with time trouble! 55.Ra4= , would be absolutely fine. 55...Rxf2 56.Kxf2 (D)

56...Bd5! That's the problem! If the white bishop was standing anywhere else to avoid the bishops' exchange, this position would be also drawn! 57.Bxd5 Kxd5 (D)

And now everything depends on the opposition... 58.Ke3 After 58.Ke1 , Black should be careful and use the 'Distant Opposition' (3 or 5 squares in-between the kings) by Ke5! 58...Kc4? 59.Ke2 Kd4 60.Kd2= 59.Kd1 59.Kf2 Kd4! 60.Ke2 Ke4-+ 59...f4! 60.gxf4+ Kxf4 61.Ke2 g3 62.Kf1 62.Ke1 Ke3-+ 62...Kf3! 63.Kg1 g2-+ . 58...Ke5! (D)

58...Ke5 The only winning move, getting the 'Close Opposition' (one square in-between the opposing kings - the side to play fails on his target). White resigned, due to 59.Kf2 Kd4! 59...Ke4? 60.Ke2!= 60.Ke2 Ke4 61.Kf2 Kd3! 62.Kf1 Ke3 63.Kg2 Ke2 64.Kg1 Kf3 65.Kh2 Kf2-+ . So, D.Gukesh won and he is now the youngest ever FIDE World Chess Champion! A dramatic ending after an elementary blunder by L.Ding! 0–1

Watch the reaction of the players and of the online spectators.

There are scores of video streams on YouTube showing and discussing the final game.