World Championship Game 2: A 23-move draw to cool things off

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
11/26/2024 – The World Chess Championship in Singapore is heating up as reigning champion Ding Liren leads 1½-½ after two games. Tuesday's second encounter ended in a 23-move draw, allowing 18-year-old challenger Gukesh D to steady his nerves following a tough loss in the opening game. With Ding pacing himself wisely and Gukesh ready to strike back with the white pieces in game three, the stage is set for an intense battle before the first rest day. | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

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"We still have a long match"

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

Ding Liren holds a 1½-½ lead in the World Championship match in Singapore after the second game ended in a 23-move draw on Tuesday. Gukesh D, recovering from a difficult loss in the opening game, managed to neutralise Ding's opening surprise and displayed poise throughout the encounter. The result allowed the young challenger to regain composure ahead of game three on Wednesday, where he will play with the white pieces. This next clash will be the final one before the players take their first rest day.

Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, among others, noted after game one that nerves likely played a major role in Gukesh's defeat, making a draw (with black) in game two a positive step for the 18-year-old. Gukesh acknowledged this in his post-game remarks, stating:

Draw with black in the world championship match is always nice. And it’s too early, we still have a long match.

Ding, meanwhile, made the most of the opening phase, securing a solid position while holding the white pieces. Though he might have pushed harder for a win, his choice to simplify and accept a draw by triple repetition appeared prudent under the circumstances. With memories of last year's gruelling match still fresh, Ding is pacing himself wisely, saving energy for critical moments. Looking ahead to game three, the reigning champion remarked:

I think it will be a big fight tomorrow. He's a point down and he will have the white pieces, so I'm ready for a fight.

While Garry Kasparov has dismissed this as a true World Championship match, citing the absence of the world's best player, the contest in Singapore has already delivered excitement. It is clear that both Ding and Gukesh, among the strongest players in the world, are fully committed to giving their all in pursuit of the sport's most prestigious title.

Ding Liren

Reigning champion Ding Liren has a 1-point lead in the match | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Ding ½ - ½ Gukesh

Analysis by André Schulz

World Chess Championship 2024

A beautiful chess set is being used in Singapore | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An


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Commentary by IM Robert Ris


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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.
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