D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, Game 9: Another Draw Ensues as Both Players Left Level-Pegging
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The Championship now currently still remains level at 4.5 points each, as both Gukesh and Ding are left figuring out how to one-up the other yet.
D Gukesh and Ding Liren at the World Chess Championship 2024. (X/FIDE)
When you’re in the major leagues, all one can do sometimes is to just wait for the other to blunder. But, when you’re the defending champion, the mistakes are far too few.
This was showcased in Singapore today as Ding Liren yet again played from behind to draw against D Gukesh in Game 9 of the World Chess Championship.
The Championship now currently still remains level at 4.5 points each, as both players are left figuring out how to one-up the other yet.
Both players got off to a blitzing start, playing multiple moves each withing the starting minute of their clock to get going with sacrifices on both sides, before a long middle game ensued.
Ding, as has been the trend in this Championship match, burned the midnight oil early, eating up over an hour and a half of his time before the 20th move itself, as he ensued to play on with less than 30 minutes left on his clock.
Gukesh, who was gifted the time advantage though, could not pose much pestering questions for Ding, who seemed to have found new life with the clock running down, as both players looked set for yet another draw.
It was time for ‘Ding Chilling’ as the defending champion seemed to have mapped out his outcomes, whilst Gukesh was in the hotseat, burning down his time until both players were once again level-pegging in all aspects.
With both players having around 20 minutes each left on the clock, the game was seemingly headed for a draw. Yet, both played out the endgame till exhaustion, securing their additional 30 minutes on the clock.
With three pawns, and a rook left for both players, an unexpected endgame ensued. But, it would fizzle out soon enough as both players agreed to share the spoils.
With a rest day scheduled tomorrow, both players shall head in with a day’s time to reflect and recalibrate before Game 10, which shall commence on Saturday.
