D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship Live: Odds stacked against Gukesh in decisive Game 14

D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship Live: Gukesh couldn’t find a way through Ding’s strong defence late in Game 13

In the 17th move, Liren turned the tide to his favour, bring his under-fire knight back and then counter-attacking with his black square bishop, leaving Gukesh contemplating once again.

Gukesh had Liren where he wanted for much of Game 13 but the Chinese defending world champion put up a defensive masterclass and incredibly forced a draw with black pieces. While that alone is impressive, the fact that it was the penultimate game of a World Championship makes it an even bigger achievement.

All this means that it is advantage Ding going into the final classical game, and possibly the tie-breakers beyond, of this engrossing World Championship match-up. With the scores tied at 6.5-6.5 and only one game of classical chess to go, it is likely that the match will be extended to the tie-break stage where games of shorter duration will decide the winner. Ding is on paper far superior to Gukesh in rapid and blitz chess which are the formats that the tie-breakers will be following.

Gukesh, hence, has the odds stacked against him when he walks towards his chair today at the Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. However, he has made it clear that he is not fazed by it one bit. “This is something every chess player wants to experience, and I have the chance. I’ll enjoy it and give it my best. Whatever the outcome is, I’ll enjoy it,” Gukesh had said in the press conference after Game 13.

“As the games get less and less, there is more at stake, obviously. I came for a fight, I was feeling fresh (today), I was feeling confident. And I also had this cool idea prepared, so I was quite excited to play,” added Gukesh. Ding conceded he was “very tired” after the game. “Firstly, very tired after a long game. Secondly, I need to decide what’s the strategy for the next game, it’s a golden game,” said the defending champion.

D Gukesh (Black) vs Ding Liren (White) Live Game 14 moves:

1. Nf3 d5

2. g3 c5

3. Bg2 Nc6

4. d4 e6

5. O-O cxd4

6. Nxd4 Nge7

7. c4 Nxd4

8. Qxd4 Nc6

9. Qd1 d4

10. e3 bc5

11. exd4 Bxd4

12. Nc3 O-O

13. Nb5 Bb6

14. b3 a6

15. Nc3 Bd4

16. Bb2 e5

17. Qd2 Be6

18. Nd5 b5

19. cxb5 axb5

20. Nf4 exf4

21. Bxc4 Bxb2

22. Qxb2 Rb8

23. Rfd1 Qb6

24. Bf3 fxg3

25. hxg3 b4

26. a4 bxa3 (!)

27. Rxa3 g6

28. Qd4