World Chess Championship: Gukesh Takes the Lead as Ding Succumbs to Pressure in Game 11
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Singapore, Dec 8 (NationPress) After eight straight draws, Gukesh seized the advantage as he strives to become the youngest classical chess champion in history. Following one of the most thrilling games of the match, where both competitors spent nearly an hour on a single move, he triumphed over champion Ding Liren, adjusting the match score to 6-5 with just three games left to play.
“It was a very difficult game for me. Already on move four, I wasn’t sure if I had made the correct choice. I remembered a game I played in a rapid tournament against GM Adhiban but I couldn’t remember the other moves. I spent 40 minutes calculating some nonsense variations,” a visibly upset Ding articulated post-game.
In this instance, the pressure of time proved crucial. With only seven minutes remaining, Ding made a critical error on move 28, losing a piece in a simple combination. Instead of playing 28…Nb4, which would have returned his extra pawn with reasonable drawing chances, he opted for the losing 28…Qc8. Following 29.Qxc6, he was forced to resign.
Gukesh expressed gratitude towards his coaching team: “Full congratulations to my team for their effort in the preparation of this opening, which caught my opponent by surprise. Then I did some stupid things, but I am happy I was able to get it back together,” were his first thoughts after the match.
In an effort to stay optimistic, Ding Liren recalled his previous match, where he succeeded in making a comeback in game twelve.
“In the last match, I made a comeback in the twelfth game, so I am hopeful about performing well tomorrow.”
