Gukesh strikes back to tie FIDE World Championship

The 18-year-old challenger from India, Gukesh D, scored a huge win this afternoon to level the match score at 1.5-1.5. Armed with excellent opening preparation, and full of confidence, Gukesh trapped one of Ding Liren’s minor pieces, and it was smooth sailing from then on.

Gukesh was elated after the game: “It feels great. For the past two days I have been very happy with my play, and today I managed to outplay my opponent, which was very nice. I was prepared until move thirteen, I guess he was trying to remember something, but maybe he mixed up at some point. My position after g5, with this plan f3-e4, seems very shaky for him.”

The key position was in a tense queenless middlegame. Ding’s light-squared bishop was compromised on c2, dangerously close to being trapped. Instead of retreating to f5, or even developing the other bishop, Ding opted for the aggressive 18…Rh5, attacking another pawn.

“I knew my bishop on c2 was a weakness so I tried to come up with some idea to save it. In the line that I played with 18…Rh5, I missed his move 23.Ne2,” was Ding’s explanation to his miscalculation.

The players will enjoy a well-earned rest day tomorrow. The fourth game of the match will take place on Friday, November 29, at 5 PM local time in Singapore, with Ding Liren playing White.

FACT SHEET, Game 3, FIDE World Championship:

White: Gukesh D
Black: Ding Liren
Result: 1-0
Game length: 37 moves
Opening: Queen’s Gambit Declined
Variation: Exchange variation
Match score: 1.5-1.5

Written by IM Michael Rahal (Singapore)

Photos: Eng Chin An and Maria Emelianova

Official website: worldchampionship.fide.com/

Full programme of side-events: worldchampionship.fide.com/events

About the event

Current World Champion Ding Liren, representing China, and challenger Gukesh D, from India, will face each other in a fourteen-game classical chess match. The player who scores 7.5 points or more will win the match, picking up the better part of the $2.5 million total prize fund.

The first of the fourteen scheduled games will take place on Monday, November 25 at 5 pm. Gukesh will open with White. The match will be hosted at the luxurious Resorts World Sentosa and will be broadcasted live with expert commentary on the FIDE YouTube Channel.