Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh showed remarkable mental strength to defeat defending champion Ding Liren in the 11th round of the World Chess Championship. Speaking on Sunday, Gukesh reflected on his journey so far, saying that bouncing back after losing the first game was a crucial moment for him.
“After losing the first game, I needed to stay mentally strong. Losing the opening game in the World Championship is never ideal, but I managed to recover and play well after that,” Gukesh said.
#DingGukesh, Round 11
— Judit Polgar (@GMJuditPolgar) December 8, 2024
Wow, this game was boiling❗ The stress was at its highest, and we could feel it perfectly from the players' body language. This game was a battle of nerves, a struggle for the players with themselves. How to control the emotions about opening surprise, the… pic.twitter.com/yOUitX8Av1
The young chess star lost the first match but turned things around with a win in the third game, leveling the score. The next seven games ended in draws, but Gukesh’s victory in the 11th round gave him a 6-5 lead, moving him closer to the title.
Gukesh credited his team for their support and emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks. “My team did an amazing job to help me recover. I found the match very interesting and took risks that definitely surprised him,” he said.
Addressing speculation, Gukesh denied that Ding was playing for a draw in the 11th game. “I don’t think he was just trying to split the points. There were moments when he had the upper hand. In a 14-round match, you can’t plan for a tie-break from the start because mistakes happen in chess. This match has been full of ups and downs,” he added.
With three rounds remaining, Gukesh is now in a strong position to claim the championship title.