The World Chess Championship 2024 is heating up as Game 7 unfolds with both players—India’s Gukesh and reigning World Champion Ding Liren—locked in a tense battle. Going into this pivotal game, both players were tied at three points apiece after exchanging wins in earlier rounds. This game has now become the longest and most dramatic of the series, with Gukesh pulling ahead as Ding Liren faces immense time pressure on his clock.
An Epic Battle: Game 7 Intensifies
Game 7 has already proven to be one of the most gripping in this World Chess Championship 2024. With both players at the top of their game, the stakes are higher than ever. Gukesh, the 18-year-old prodigy from Chennai, has the chance to make history by becoming the youngest world chess champion ever. Meanwhile, Ding Liren, the experienced Chinese grandmaster, is fighting to defend his title.
The game began with a series of intense opening moves, with Ding Liren opting for the white pieces. At one point, Ding had a sizable 16-minute advantage over Gukesh, who was on the clock for just a few minutes. However, Ding’s decision to take an extended think on his 7th move, which lasted 28 minutes, caused some stir among chess fans and commentators. Despite the early lead, Gukesh capitalized on Ding’s over-thought moves and managed to claw back.
Time Pressure for Ding Liren: A Tight Squeeze
As the game progressed, Ding Liren found himself under severe time pressure. With less than a minute on his clock, it became a race against time for the defending champion. Just like in Game 3, where Ding lost on time to Gukesh, the clock has again become a key factor. As of the latest updates, Ding had only seven seconds left to make critical moves, while Gukesh still had 20 minutes to strategize.
The battle on the clock has mirrored the battle on the board. At one stage, Ding had to make 15 moves within 16 minutes, a difficult feat given the complexity of the position and the stakes involved. On the other hand, Gukesh used his time wisely, pushing forward with precision and setting up strong tactical threats.
Game 7 Moves: A Thrilling Ride
As of 19:10 IST on December 3, 2024, the game was in full swing. Gukesh, with an additional pawn on the board, was continuing his strong position. At the same time, Ding’s position started to deteriorate. The eval bar, a measure of the game’s position, showed a massive advantage for Gukesh, reflecting his superior position on the board.
Susan Polgar, a prominent chess figure, highlighted Ding Liren’s inaccuracies during earlier phases of the game. On his 40th move, Ding’s failure to defend properly allowed Gukesh to seize control,
leading to further complications for the defending champion. The game was now transitioning into a critical endgame phase,
where every move could make the difference between victory and defeat.
Kramnik’s Critique of Ding Liren’s Play
Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik didn’t hold back in his criticism of Ding Liren’s play during Game 7. Kramnik, who is known for his sharp insights, expressed his disappointment at Ding’s overall performance. According to Kramnik, Ding had not been playing at his usual high level,
and his decisions in the game showed a lack of preparation and precision.
Kramnik’s analysis was echoed by others in the chess community. Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen had previously criticized the level of play in this World Chess Championship 2024, particularly after Game 5. Despite Gukesh’s win in Game 3,
many felt that the level of excitement and innovation from both players had been lacking in subsequent games.
The Endgame: Gukesh’s Path to Victory?
As the game progresses into the final phase, the chances of a Gukesh victory are becoming more apparent. According to Leela Zero, an AI-based chess engine, Gukesh has a 72.4% chance of winning, compared to a mere 1.5% for Ding Liren. The young challenger’s control over the game is undeniable,
and Ding seems to be running out of options to turn things around.
However, the World Chess Championship 2024 is never over until it’s over. Chess, after all, is a game of nuances, and even with a significant advantage, mistakes can still happen. But for now, it’s Gukesh’s game to lose.
Ding Liren’s Struggle to Recover
Ding Liren, who was once a formidable force in chess, is now in a difficult spot. His slow play and lack of precision have drawn sharp criticism from chess legends like Kramnik, who suggest that Ding might not be fully recovered from earlier physical and mental strain.
The weight of defending the title seems to be bearing down on him, and as the clock ticks down, his chances of mounting a comeback seem to dwindle with each passing second.
Ding’s Lost Opportunities: Can Gukesh Capitalize?
As pointed out by Susan Polgar, Ding Liren had earlier opportunities to convert winning positions into clear advantages but failed to do so. Now, Gukesh seems to be the one making the most of his chances. With the clock ticking and the pieces on the board rapidly changing, the momentum is squarely in Gukesh’s favor.
The Current Situation on the Board
As of the latest updates, here are some key moments from the game:
- Move 44: Gukesh made a critical move, positioning his king to avoid a dangerous fork from Ding’s knight. The eval bar spiked in Gukesh’s favor after this move, as Ding’s chances of a comeback diminished significantly.
- Move 40-43: Ding Liren’s time was running low, and Gukesh’s precision in these moves gave him a commanding lead on the board. The Indian grandmaster now has a huge advantage in terms of both position and time.
The Conclusion of Game 7: Will Gukesh Seal the Deal?
With the clock running down and Ding Liren’s position under severe pressure, it seems that Game 7 of the World Chess Championship 2024 could mark a pivotal turning point in the match. Gukesh,
who has already proven his prowess in earlier games, now seems poised to capitalize on Ding’s errors and clock pressure.
With the advantage in both time and material, Gukesh’s path to victory looks clearer than ever.
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In Conclusion
The stakes could not be higher. Gukesh, with his poised and calculated moves, is inching closer to making history. The World Chess Championship 2024 is still far from over, but if Game 7 is any indication,
we might be witnessing the emergence of a new world champion—a young prodigy from India with the talent to change the course of chess history.
