World Chess Championship 2024: Ding Liren vs. Gukesh Dommaraju
In a remarkable showdown, Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju managed to secure a surprisingly smooth draw against Ding Liren on Saturday during the fifth game of their world championship match, resulting in a tied score of 2½-2½ in the $2.5 million contest.
After Ding chose the French Defense (1 e4 e6), Gukesh quickly entered the Exchange Variation (2 d4 d5 3 exd5 exd5), opting for a less aggressive opening that contrasted with his typically bold playing style, especially as he was holding the white pieces.
Match Overview
The World Chess Championship 2024 is set to unfold with reigning champion Ding Liren defending his title against the rapidly emerging Gukesh Dommaraju. This best-of-14-games match will take place at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore from November 23 to December 15, boasting a total prize fund of $2.5 million (£1.98 million).
Ding Liren made history by becoming China’s first men’s world chess champion last year, triumphing over Ian Nepomniachtchi in Kazakhstan. However, the 32-year-old has faced significant challenges, including personal struggles like depression, leading many to consider him an underdog in his first title defense.
On the other hand, Gukesh Dommaraju stunned the chess community by winning the Candidates tournament in Toronto at just 17 years old, making him the youngest challenger for the world championship. At 18, he has the chance to set a record for the youngest world champion, a title currently held by Garry Kasparov.
Format and Scoring
The championship will consist of 14 classical games, with players earning one point for a victory and half a point for a draw. The first to reach seven and a half points will be declared the champion. In case of a tie after 14 games, tiebreak games with faster time controls will be conducted.
The match schedule includes designated rest days, with games commencing at 5 PM local time in Singapore. The rules for tiebreak games are clearly outlined to ensure a decisive champion emerges. If a player scores 1½ points or more in the tiebreaks, they will clinch the title. If necessary, a mini-match of two blitz games will follow, with each player having three minutes plus a two-second increment starting from move one. The player who scores 1½ points or more in this mini-match will be crowned champion. A drawing of lots will determine which player plays with the white pieces before each mini-match.
If the blitz mini-match ends in a tie, a single blitz game with the same time control will be played to determine the champion. Should that game also end in a draw, another blitz game will occur with reversed colors, and this process will continue until a winner is established.
Players are prohibited from agreeing to a draw before black’s 40th move, except in cases of a threefold repetition or stalemate.
Match Schedule
The match schedule is as follows:
- Opening ceremony and technical meeting on Saturday, November 23
- Rest day on Sunday, November 24
- Game 1 on Monday, November 25
- Game 2 on Tuesday, November 26
- Game 3 on Wednesday, November 27
- Rest day on Thursday, November 28
- Game 4 on Friday, November 29
- Game 5 on Saturday, November 30
- Game 6 on Sunday, December 1
- Rest day on Monday, December 2
- Game 7 on Tuesday, December 3
- Game 8 on Wednesday, December 4
- Game 9 on Thursday, December 5
- Rest day on Friday, December 6
- Game 10 on Saturday, December 7
- Game 11 on Sunday, December 8
- Game 12 on Monday, December 9
- Rest day on Tuesday, December 10
- Game 13 on Wednesday, December 11
- Game 14 on Thursday, December 12
- Tiebreaks (if necessary) on Friday, December 13
- Closing ceremony on Saturday, December 14
All games will begin at 5 PM local time in Singapore, which corresponds to 2:30 PM in India, 9 AM in London, and 4 AM in New York.
Recent Match Analysis
In a recent encounter, the queens were exchanged early in the game, leading to a simplified position by the 10th move. Each player strategically probed their opponent’s defenses, with one advancing aggressively on the kingside, countered by the other’s precise maneuvers. A crucial move in the middlegame from one player was followed by a miscalculation that allowed the opponent to gain a strong position. Ultimately, the game concluded in a draw by repetition after three hours of intense play.
While a draw isn’t necessarily a negative outcome, it was noted that one player’s inaccuracies during rapid play may have prevented them from fully capitalizing on their opponent’s errors. The player expressed a commitment to improve and take advantage of future opportunities.
This world championship match has already presented unexpected twists and turns, with surprising outcomes in both wins and draws. As the competition progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling games leading to the crowning of the next world champion. Both players are fiercely determined to secure victory and claim the prestigious title.
