World Chess Championship: Ding holds Gukesh to draw in Game 13, retains advantage

India's youngest-ever World Chess Championship challenger, D. Gukesh, put forth a determined effort against reigning champion Ding Liren of China in the 13th game of the 2024 World Chess Championship at Resort World Sentosa, Singapore. However, Ding Liren's exceptional defensive skills came to the fore, as he successfully held Gukesh to a draw after 69 moves.

Ding Liren survived both time trouble and Gukesh's advantage. The World Champion found amazing defense to force a draw with black pieces on Wednesday, two days after he won with white pieces. The draw left both players—Gukesh, playing white, and Liren—tied at 6.5 points each, still one point shy of securing the championship. With the score level at 6.5-6.5 after 13 rounds, the title now hinges on the final game.

Ding will have the white pieces for the final game on Thursday. If the championship remains tied after 14 rounds, it will be decided in a tie-break with a shorter time format. If the 14th match ends in another draw on Thursday, resulting in a 7-7 tie, a series of tiebreak games with faster time controls will be played on Friday. This is how Ding won the title last year against Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi.

The 32-year-old Liren won the opening game, while the 18-year-old Gukesh claimed victory in the third game to level the score. The two Grandmasters then played seven consecutive draws before Gukesh broke the deadlock in the 11th game, taking a 6-5 lead. However, Liren drew level in the 12th game with a surprising result. Ding Liren survived both time trouble and Gukesh's advantage. The World Champion found amazing defense to force a draw with black pieces on Wednesday, two days after he won with white pieces. 

Although Ding has been seen as the underdog due to his inconsistent form, he would be considered a slight favorite if the match is decided in rapid or blitz games. The 18-year-old Gukesh, currently ranked fifth in the world, is aiming to break the record for the youngest-ever undisputed World Champion, a title held by Garry Kasparov, who was 22 when he dethroned Anatoly Karpov in their 1985 rematch in Moscow.

HOW DID THE GAME 13 UNFOLD?

As was expected and predicted, the 18-year-old Gukesh started with the King's Pawn opening and once again faced Liren's first-choice opening, the French Defense. The Chinese player spent a significant amount of time in the opening phase when Gukesh introduced a novel idea early on. However, it was clear from the outset that there was little for White to gain.

The middle game saw the exchange of a couple of minor pieces, giving Gukesh a small optical advantage. As the game progressed, it became evident that the exchange of pawns on the queenside would only lead to an equal endgame.

Knowing this could be his last chance with the favorable color, Gukesh left no stone unturned, continuously searching for more opportunities. But Liren kept his composure, trading pieces when necessary, and the game transitioned into a queen-plus-rook endgame that was balanced.

Despite his best efforts, Gukesh pushed forward in the theoretical drawn endgame, but Liren was up to the task. The game eventually reached a two-versus-three rook-and-pawn endgame, and Gukesh continued playing until there was no hope left in the position.

Liren held firm until the very end and will enter the last game of the match as the favorite.

The moves:
1.e4 e6 
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 Nf6
4.e5 Nfd7 
5.Nce2 c5 
6.c3 Nc6 
7.a3 Be7 
8.Be3 Nb6 
9.Nf4 cxd4 
10.cxd4 Nc4 
11.Bxc4 dxc4 
12.Nge2 b5 
13.0–0 0–0
14.Nc3 Rb8 
15.Nh5 f5 
16.exf6 Bxf6 
17.Qf3 Qe8 
18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 
19.Qe2 Qg6 
20.f3 Rf8 
21.Rad1 Ne7 
22.Bf4 Rb6 
23.Bc7 Rb7 
24.Bd6 Re8 
25.Bxe7 Rexe7 
26.Qe5 a6 
27.d5 exd5 
28.Qxd5+ Qe6 
29.Qc5 Re8 
30.Rde1 Qf7 
31.Ne4 Rf8 
32.Nd6 Rc7 
33.Qe5 Qf6 
34.Qd5+ Kh8 
35.Re5 Re7 
36.Rfe1 Rxe5 
37.Rxe5 h6 
38.Qc5 Bd7 
39.Ne4 Qf4 
40.Re7 Bf5 
41.Qd4 Rg8 
42.h3 Qc1+ 
43.Kf2 Bxe4 
44.Rxe4 c3 
45.bxc3 Qxa3 
46.Kg3 Qb3 
47.Re7 a5 
48.Rb7 Qc4 
49.Qe5 Qc6 
50.Qxb5 Qxc3 
51.Ra7 Qe1+ 
52.Kh2 Qb4 
53.Qxb4 axb4 
54.Rb7 Ra8 
55.Rxb4 Ra2 
56.Kg3 Kh7 
57.Rb5 Kg6 
58.f4 Kf6 
59.Kf3 Rc2 
60.g3 Rc3+ 
61.Kg4 Ra3 
62.h4 Rc3 
63.Rb6+ Kf7 
64. f5 h5+ 
65. Kf4 Rc4+ 
66. Kf3 Rc3+ 
67. Kf4 Rc4+ 
68. Kf3 Rc3+ Match drawn.

WITH PTI INPUTS