Chess Championship: Gukesh loses to Liren in 12th game; both tied at 6 pts.
Indian chess prodigy D. Gukesh was defeated by World Chess Champion Ding Liren in the 12th game of their match, leveling the score at 6-6.
Indian challenger D. Gukesh was defeated by reigning World Chess Champion Ding Liren of China in the 12th game of their match in Singapore on Monday, allowing Liren to equalize the score. Gukesh, 18, had been leading by one point after securing his second win on Sunday, following seven consecutive draws. However, Liren's victory on Monday leveled the match.
With both players now tied at 6 points each, two games remain in the 14-game classical series, requiring a lead of 1.5 points to secure the title. The final two games are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, after a rest day on Tuesday.
Regardless of the outcome on Wednesday, the match will go the full 14 games, and a tiebreaker is likely, featuring shorter games to determine the winner.
Liren, 32, had previously won the first game, while Gukesh triumphed in the third. The second game, along with games 4 to 10, ended in draws.
Liren's Monday win, achieved with the white pieces, marked his first victory in this match with that color. Gukesh, despite strong preparation throughout the tournament, found himself struggling in this game.
"In the second half, I had chances in many games. Today was clearly a bad game, but I wouldn't overanalyze it. Bad games happen. Overall, I think both of us have played better in the second half than the first," Gukesh said after the match.
"6-6 is a fair result overall, but since I was leading after yesterday, it is disappointing to lose today. At least the score is still tied, and two games remain," he added.
Liren described his 12th-game performance as one of his best in recent times. "I sometimes perform very well after a loss. The 12th game was very important, and it might have been my best game recently. I just aimed to make the best moves, and at one point, I realized my position was much stronger, with no way to draw."
The game began with Liren choosing the English Opening, and Gukesh surprised fans by opting for a reversed Benoni Defense. However, Gukesh soon faltered, missing opportunities for counterplay, allowing Liren to gain a slight advantage. Gukesh’s 17th move worsened his position, and a series of mistakes allowed Liren to seize control.
Liren’s pawn breakthrough in the center on move 27 was nearly decisive, and Gukesh was forced to give up pawns. A subsequent rook invasion further sealed Gukesh's fate. Liren finished the game with a rook sacrifice that forced Gukesh to resign after 39 moves.
Much will depend on Gukesh’s performance in the final white game after the rest day, while Liren continues to prove his resilience, having already come from behind to win the World Championship against Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia in the previous match.
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