Thrilling Game 8 Ends in a Draw as Gukesh and Ding Battle in the Chess World Championship:
Ding Liren defended his title against India’s D Gukesh in the 2024 World Chess Championship final during Game 8, ending the match in a dramatic draw after 51 moves passing four hours and 35 minutes of the game period.
The last game was filled with exchanges and changes in the lead, and at the beginning of the ninth, they became tied 4-4 and served Gukesh white in tomorrow’s match. Ding chose the English opening, which was a comfortable position, but Gukesh departed from general strategies; thus, Ding found himself thinking deeply about strategies.
Gukesh acknowledged that the second had come from his preparation about Grzegorz Gajewski. “He said he would like to thank his team and hope we can do more things like this. In the game, there was a frequent change in dominance between opposing teams.
With a few mistakes, Ding S was leading in the early half of the match until, on the 22nd mistake, Gukesh S dug himself into the lead. But Gukesh failed to press on his advantage, and he blundered three times in a row, converting 26-28, thus allowing Ding to get back into the game.
In an otherwise highly cramped position and having to act under significant time control, Ding found a perfect sequence of moves that would give her a winning advantage. But Gukesh could give successful counterstrikes, thus keeping the game in the balance.
When they reached move 40, Ding suggested a draw by repetition of the position, but Gukesh rejected it, though he said he didn’t feel particularly threatened after the game. Towards the end, it became just a queen trade, and there was no way for either player to try and win.
The draws were accepted after the 51st move. The result prepares the stage for a crucial match scheduled for Game 9 before the players get their rest day. The strategies and inaccuracies of both competitors will be eliminated during the championship as the championship moves to the next level.
