100% accuracy for Ding Liren and Gukesh in their 4th game draw

A game that sees both players performing at a 100% accuracy rate can only result in splitting the point. After 42 hard-fought moves, the champion Ding Liren, and the challenger Gukesh D, agreed to a draw by a clear three-fold repetition in a rook endgame, leaving the match score tied 2-2 after four games.

Two former World Champions and trailblazers in their countries, Xie Jun from China and Vishy Anand from India, performed the ceremonial moves and cheered on their compatriots.

The champion was quite content with his play: “Yesterday, I had a rest day to recover from the tough loss, and today, I was in a very good mood. I tried to surprise my opponent, and it worked well, but the advantage was very small. He was able to neutralize my initiative and the game was balanced.”

For the challenger, a draw with Black is a very good result: “It wasn’t a completely new line for me, although it was a bit of a surprise. I was playing over the board from early on. I think I reacted well enough, neutralizing his edge. It was a solid game, and even towards the end, I had some chances to press better. With Black, it’s all you can expect in a match.”

The fifth game of the match is scheduled for Saturday, November 30, at 5 PM local time in Singapore, with Gukesh D playing White.

FACT SHEET, Game 4, FIDE World Championship:

White: Ding Liren
Black: Gukesh D
Result: 0.5-0.5
Game length: 52 moves
Opening: Zukertort opening
Match score: 2-2

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.