World Championship Game 8: More missed chances in dramatic draw

Relentless tension

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

There has been no shortage of drama in the World Chess Championship match in Singapore. While the last five games have ended in draws, game 8 brought yet another layer of excitement as both Ding Liren and Gukesh D missed clear chances to secure a second victory. With Ding winning game 1 and Gukesh bouncing back in game 3, the score remains tied as the 14-game confrontation passes its midway point. The relentless tension is pushing both players and their teams to fine-tune their off-the-board strategic preparations as the stakes continue to rise.

In Wednesday's game, Ding tried 1.c4, the English Opening, marking his fourth different opening move with white. This diversity has been a defining feature of the match, in contrast to confrontations where players stick to probing specific systems. Despite Ding's variety, it was Gukesh who introduced a novelty, crafted by his well-prepared team. The Indian prodigy later acknowledged his support staff, particularly Grzegorz Gajewski, saying:

[My team] has been doing a great job. Not only 'Gaju', but other team members as well.

Ding faced a tough challenge early on as Gukesh's preparation left him out of his comfort zone. However, the reigning champion countered with a bold f2-f4 push on move 13, seeking dynamic play in the centre. By move 20, Gukesh had a clear edge both on the board and the clock, holding a time advantage of nearly 30 minutes.

A critical moment arose on move 22 when Ding's imprecise 22.Rb1 allowed Gukesh to play the powerful 22...b5. This move created connected passers on the queenside, putting the reigning champion under serious pressure.

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Nevertheless, Ding showcased remarkable precision in time trouble, particularly with the manoeuvre Qc1-e1-f2, sacrificing a pawn on a2 to activate his pieces and fight for counterplay.

Ding not only neutralised Gukesh's advantage but also gained the upper hand. However, the Chinese champion admitted after the game:

Today during the game I didn't realise I was winning at some point.

Lacking awareness of his chances, he consolidated his position rather than pushing for a win, which allowed Gukesh to force a triple repetition. However, the Indian challenger, much like in game 6, chose to play on in a slightly worse position, though he later acknowledged misjudging the situation.

The thrilling encounter finally ended in a 51-move draw after both players navigated the tense endgame with precision. With Gukesh set to play with the white pieces in Thursday's game 9, the last one before Friday's rest day, fans eagerly anticipate whether the tie will finally be broken in the fiercely contested championship.

Both contenders were in good spirits at the press conference: reigning champion Ding Liren | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Both contenders were in good spirits at the press conference: challenger Gukesh D | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Ding ½ - ½ Gukesh

Analysis by André Schulz

Ding, Liren2728

½–½

Gukesh Dommaraju2783

WCC Match 2024 Singapore04.12.2024[Schulz, A]

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 The early bishop development is a popular choice and is often played by Carlsen, Caruana or Anand. The main moves are 2...Nf6 and 2...Nc6 3.Nd5 After 3.g3 White must be prepared for Bxc3 with a different system. 3...Be7 The alternative 3...Bc5 is also frequently played. 4.Nf3 d6 5.g3 c6 6.Nxe7 Nxe7 7.Bg2 f6 A novelty at this point. Black plans to play d5 early and defends the e5-pawn. 7...0-0 8.0-0 c5 9.b3 Nbc6 10.Bb2 h6 11.e3 Bg4 12.h3 Bh5 13.g4 Bg6 14.d4 f6 15.Nh4 Bh7± 1/2-1/2 (51) Vakhidov,J (2599)-Caruana,F (2794) Samarkand 2023 8.0-0 Be6 9.b3 d5 10.Ba3

10...0-0 The pawn grab 10...dxc4? 11.bxc4 Bxc4 would be a mistake, as White would gain a strong initiative: 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 0-0 14.Qb1 Qxd4 14...Ba6 15.Rd1+- 15.Bxe7 Re8 16.Qxb7+- 11.Rc1 a5 12.Ne1 Re8 13.f4 Ding challenges Black's central pawn structure on both flanks. exf4 An alternative was 13...e4= 14.Rxf4 dxc4 This dissolves Black's central pawns. 15.bxc4 Ng6 16.Re4 Na6 17.Nc2 At this point, Gukesh had a time advantage with 1 hour 30 minutes remaining compared to about 1 hour for Ding. Qc7 18.Nd4 Bf7

Once again, an interesting position in this World Championship match. White's central pawns remain on their original squares, waiting for tasks. The position is equal. 19.d3 Ne5 20.Nf3 Nd7 21.Rxe8+ Rxe8 22.Rb1?! At this point, Ding's remaining time had dwindled to 25 minutes. More cautious was 22.Qd2= 22...b5 23.cxb5 Qb6+ 24.Kf1 After 24.Kh1 White's king would be farther from the critical queenside, e.g. cxb5 25.Bb2 Bxa2 26.Bd4 Nac5 27.Rc1 b4 24...cxb5 25.Bb2 Bxa2 26.Bd4 Nac5 26...Qb8 is no good: 27.Ra1 Bd5 28.Rxa5 The computer suggests 26...Ndc5!? 27.Rc1 Bd5-+ 27.Rc1

27...Bb3?! Not a good move. The white queen is driven to better squares. Better was 27...b4 e.g. 28.Qc2 b3 29.Qb2 29.Qc3? Rb8 30.Bxc5 Nxc5 31.Qxc5 Qxc5 32.Rxc5 b2 and wins. 29...Na4 30.Bxb6 Nxb2 31.Bd4 Na4 32.Nd2 b2 33.Rc7 Ne5 34.Rb7 White seems to hold. 28.Qe1 Be6? Another imprecise move. The position is tactically demanding and holds several dangers for Black. Correct was 28...a4 29.Bh3 29.Qb4 Qe6= 29...Qd6 30.Bxc5 Nxc5 31.Qb4 Qe7= 29.Qf2+-

Suddenly, the tables have turned completely, and White is now better. The pin on c5 costs material. 29...Rc8 30.Be3 Rc7 31.Nd4?! To interrupt the defence of c5 via c6. 31.d4?? Ne4-+ Stronger was 31.Ne1+- with the threat of -- 32.d4 Na6 33.d5+- 31...Bf7 32.Nc6 Rxc6 33.Bxc6 Qxc6 34.Bxc5 Winning the exchange. Black has compensation in the form of passed pawns. h6 35.Ke1 35.Qf3!? Bd5 36.Qe3 Be6 37.Kf2 a4 38.Bb4 with better winning chances than in the game. 35...b4 36.Qd4 Ne5 37.Kd2 Qg2 38.Qf2 Qd5 39.Qd4 Qg2 A repetition to reach the time control. 40.Qf2 Not 40.Qd8+? Kh7 41.Qxa5 Bh5 42.Re1 Nf3+-+ 40...Qd5

41.Qd4 Another option was 41.Bd4!? e.g. Nc6 41...a4 42.Bxe5 Qxe5 43.Qc5 Qxc5 44.Rxc5 b3 45.Rc8+ Kh7 46.Ra8 White wins one of the two passed pawns and is then winning. 42.Bb6± 41...Qa2+ 42.Rc2 Qe6 43.Qd8+ Kh7 44.Qxa5 b3 45.Rc1 Qd5 46.Qb4 Qg2 Another idea was 46...Qa8!? threatening Qa2 and potentially b2. 47.Qe4+ and after exchanges, the game would proceed as in the game. 47.Qe4+ Qxe4 48.dxe4 b2 49.Rb1 Ba2 50.Rxb2 Nc4+ 51.Kc3 Nxb2 51...Nxb2 52.Kxb2 Be6 with opposite-coloured bishops and a drawn position. ½–½

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Ding Liren | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Gukesh D | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An

Expert analyses

Commentary by GM Daniel King

Commentary by IM Robert Ris

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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)