World Championship Game 11: Gukesh wins rollercoaster game, seizes the lead

A deep opening battle, a one-move blunder

Find below expert video analysis by GM Daniel King

After seven consecutive draws, game 11 of the World Chess Championship in Singapore delivered a dramatic, decisive result. Gukesh D emerged victorious out of a nerve-wracking 29-move encounter, capitalising on a late blunder by reigning champion Ding Liren during mutual time trouble. This crucial win gave the 18-year-old challenger a one-point lead with only three classical games remaining.

The game began with an unusual sight in elite chess as Ding spent a combined 60 minutes on his fourth and fifth moves. Following 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4, Ding opted for the sharp 2....d4 instead of the more cautious 2...e6. Then, after 3.b4 c5 4.e3 Nf6, Gukesh unleashed 5.a3, a surprising pawn push that caught Ding off guard.

Ding confessed later that, following White's a2-a3, his prolonged deliberation over 4...Nf6 "just went nowhere". Gukesh's superior preparation saw him gain a significant time advantage as Ding struggled to navigate the unconventional position.

Despite the promising start, Gukesh faltered with 9.d3, setting up a plan which he described as "stupid", instead of the stronger 9.c5. Ding capitalised on the inaccuracy with 9...a5 10.b5 Nbd7, aiming to plant a knight on the c5 outpost.

The challenger realised his advantage had slipped and spent over an hour on 11.g3, the longest think of the match so far. By then, the time difference between the players had evaporated, and Ding was seen to have a slight edge on the board.

Attack like a Super Grandmaster

In this Fritztrainer: “Attack like a Super GM” with Gukesh we touch upon all aspects of his play, with special emphasis on how you can become a better attacking player.

Dealing with a tough position - Gukesh D | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Working hard from the get go - Ding Liren | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

A pivotal moment arose on move 15 when Ding fianchettoed his bishop with 15...g6, a move he later described as "horrible". Ironically, Gukesh also felt vulnerable after this move, but it allowed him to seize the initiative with precise play, including 16.a4, 17.b6 and 18.Ba3

As the players approached time control, Gukesh gained ground with a clever knight manoeuvre, repositioning the piece via 25.Na1 and 26.Nb3

Though the engines showed only a slight edge for White, Gukesh appeared composed, with his attacking prospects delighting Indian fans.

The game's climax came as both players made a few imprecise moves in severe time trouble. Ding's fatal error was 28...Qc8, which allowed Gukesh to instantly respond with 29.Qxc6

Resignation followed swiftly, as capturing with the pawn would leave Black a piece down after 29...bxc6 30.Rxb8 Qxb8 31.Rxb8+, while 29...Qxc6 30.Bxc6 would lose even more decisively.

Ding's defeat is a significant setback, but the champion remains hopeful. He drew parallels to his 2023 match against Ian Nepomniachtchi, where he recovered from a similar situation, equalised in game 12, and won in tiebreaks. With three games to go and the creative Richard Rapport leading his team, Ding may yet unleash a powerful opening weapon in Monday's critical game 12 as the match in Singapore approaches its climax.

The Blumenfeld Gambit - A sharp weapon in the Benoni

It was back in the 1920s that the Russian master Benjamin Blumenfeld invented his famous gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5!?, and to the present day the opening retains great popularity. Black plays for the initiative and the win from the word go.

A tough day at the office for Ding Liren | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

A new world champion incoming? | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Game recap by Sagar Shah

Expert analysis

Commentary by GM Daniel King

The flexible Taimanov Sicilian + A Complete Guide for Black against the Anti-Sicilian

Looking for a realistic way to play for a win with Black against 1.e4 without taking unnecessary risks? The Taimanov Sicilian is a reliable system, and hence one of the best options out there!

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Links

• Official website
• Two Knights Talk: Who will win the World Chess Championship match 2024?
• Ding Liren, the chess king from China who defies the odds
• Gukesh: From a school in Chennai to the world title match in Singapore
• Ding Liren is the new world chess champion! (2023)