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Monday's game at the World Chess Championship in Singapore delivered the most exciting draw of the match so far. Ding Liren and Gukesh D battled for nearly five and a half hours over 72 moves in a tense encounter that marked the halfway point of the 14-game contest. While Ding missed a big opportunity in game 5, this time it was Gukesh who failed to capitalise on a significant advantage, leaving the score tied as the match edges closer to its climax.
Gukesh opened with 1.Nf3, 2.g3, and 3.d4, demonstrating strong preparation. Ding responded by playing 7...dxc4, deviating from prior grandmaster games but spending almost 30 minutes on the move. This time imbalance later proved critical. Gukesh gained a favourable position, making it clear that only White could play for a win. On move 26, after a lengthy think, Gukesh chose a correct line that kept him firmly in control. However, the reigning champion remained resilient, posing defensive challenges.
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Despite being outplayed early, Ding displayed resourcefulness under mounting pressure. His strong defensive play kept him alive until move 40, when he made a costly mistake moments before receiving 30 additional minutes on the clock. This error, compounded by the lack of increments before move 40, highlighted the psychological toll of time trouble on players used to modern time controls. Elite tournaments now often include increments from the start, making this time control especially challenging in high-stakes encounters like this.
Indian fans were energised by Gukesh's commanding position, though seasoned commentators such as Peter Leko warned that Ding's chances of securing a draw were still viable. In the endgame, Gukesh struggled to convert his extra pawn, allowing Ding to draw on his vast experience to hold the balance. Reflecting on his performance, Ding admitted:
It was a total failure during the game because I thought I was getting outplayed, but like many times, maybe my position wasn't so bad.
With back-to-back games scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, game 7 could shape the psychological landscape of the match. Gukesh acknowledged the missed opportunity but remained optimistic, stating:
Yeah, it was a huge chance, and I missed it, but still a lot of games to go. One huge positive is that I felt really good on the board, and I was obviously outplaying him from the start.
As tension mounts and nerves come further into play, the chess world anticipates more drama in Singapore.
Ding Liren looked satisfied after having saved the draw | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
Gukesh D was aware that he had just missed a big opportunity | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
Analysis by André Schulz
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The protagonists amid the tense struggle | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
A packed house at the Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
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