D Gukesh was defeated in the 12th game by defending champion Ding Liren of China, allowing his opponent to recover and equalize the score in the World Chess Championship, with both players now on six points each.
Indian challenger D Gukesh lost the 12th game to defending champion Ding Liren of China on Monday, allowing Liren to level the World Chess Championship match at 6 points each. Gukesh, 18, had been ahead by one point after securing his second win of the match on Sunday, following seven consecutive draws. However, Liren’s victory on Monday brought the match back to a tie. With just two games remaining in the 14-round classical time control format, the two players are now even, still needing 1.5 points to win the title. The final two games will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, after a rest day on Tuesday. Regardless of the outcome in the next game, the match will go the full 14 rounds, and a tiebreaker, featuring shorter-duration games, is likely to determine the winner.
Liren, 32, had previously won the opening game, while Gukesh won the third. Games 2 and 4 to 10 were all drawn. Liren’s victory in the 12th game, his first with the white pieces, saw Gukesh’s preparation fall short compared to the previous 11 games.
Liren opened with an English opening, and to the surprise of many, Gukesh chose a position that led to a reversed Benoni defense. Gukesh began to struggle in the middle game, with white playing normal developing moves. By move 15, despite having less time on the clock, Liren had a small advantage, as a central breakthrough seemed inevitable, giving him a space advantage.
Gukesh’s 17th move worsened his position, as white was able to break through in the center. Five moves later, another error from Gukesh gave Liren a huge advantage. Liren’s central pawn advanced to the sixth rank, delivering a near-decisive blow by move 27. Gukesh lost a couple of pawns, and Liren soon threatened an invasion by his rooks.
The game concluded after Liren sacrificed a rook to force the issue, ending in 39 moves. Gukesh’s chances now depend on his performance in the remaining white game after Tuesday’s rest day.
Liren demonstrated his resilience once again, with this second win being more one-sided than many previous games in the match. In his previous World Championship match against Ian Nepomniachtchi, Liren had to come back from behind three times before being crowned world champion.
