Both have 3.5-3.5 points; the one who reaches 7.5 points first will become the World Champion
There is a tough competition going on between Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh and China’s Ding Liren in the final of the World Chess Championship. Both played a draw match on Tuesday. The fourth consecutive game in the final was a draw. The second, fourth, fifth and sixth games between the two players were also draws. China’s 32-year-old Liren won the first game while 18-year-old Gukesh won the third game.
"Insane action, we have witnessed a fantastic game!" says Peter Leko, who approves of the crowd's round of applause.
— chess24 (@chess24com) December 3, 2024
The #DingGukesh World Championship is still tied at 3.5-3.5 at the halfway point after a wild draw! pic.twitter.com/5dbhFjLFxa
During the 7th game, Gukesh, playing with white pieces, was in a strong position, but the Chinese star defended brilliantly and forced him to play a draw. After 72 moves, Gukesh was ahead by one pawn. After this draw game, both players have equal 3.5-3.5 points. In the 14-game match, the player who scores 7.5 points first will win the match and be declared the world champion.
Gukesh was ahead in terms of time and position
During the game, Gukesh was ahead in terms of time and position. At one point, it seemed that Liren would lose the game again on the basis of time. But he had to make 15 moves in 16 minutes. In the 40th move, he had only 7 seconds left to avoid defeat.
The agonizing minute as Ding Liren makes a mistake with 7 seconds to spare that may cost him the World Championship title! #DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/lKMbvYSZU4
— chess24 (@chess24com) December 3, 2024
At one point, even Gukesh was caught in the time pressure. He played the 56th move when only 2 seconds were left on the clock. Gukesh remained at a lead of one foot till the end, but he could not take advantage of it.
The 7th match lasted for 5 hours and 20 minutes. The previous match lasted for more than four hours. This was the longest match of the final so far.