NEW DELHI: D Gukesh, the 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster, put up a valiant effort but could not break through the resilient defence of the reigning champion, Ding Liren of China, in the 13th and penultimate game of the World Chess Championship.
After 68 moves, the game ended in a draw, leaving the scores tied at 6.5-6.5 with only one classical chess game remaining.
As anticipated, Gukesh opened with the King pawn, and Liren responded with his preferred French defence.
The Chinese player once again spent a considerable amount of time in the opening phase, as Gukesh introduced a novel idea early on. However, it became evident from the outset that White had little advantage.
The middle game witnessed the exchange of a couple of minor pieces, giving Gukesh’s white pieces a slight optical advantage. As the game progressed, it became clear that the exchange of pawns on the queen’s side would lead to an equal endgame.
Recognizing that this could be his last opportunity with the favourable colour, Gukesh left no stone unturned in his search for an advantage.
However, Liren maintained his composure and traded pieces when necessary, reaching a queen-plus-rook endgame that was perfectly balanced.
Despite the theoretical draw, the players continued their battle for an extended period. The pieces changed hands, eventually leaving a queen, rook, and pawns on the board. Gukesh tried every possible manoeuvre to gain an edge, even in the theoretically drawn endgame, but Liren proved equal to the task.
Ultimately, the game was drawn in a two-versus-three rook-and-pawns endgame, with Gukesh playing on until there was no life left in the position. Liren held firm until the very end and will enter the final game of the match as the favourite.
With the scores tied at 6.5-6.5 and only one classical chess game remaining, it is highly likely that the match will be extended to a tie-break stage, where games of shorter duration will determine the winner.
The 13th game of the World Chess Championship showcased the tenacity and resilience of both players, with Gukesh leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of victory and Liren displaying remarkable composure and defensive acumen.
As the match approaches its climax, the chess world eagerly awaits the final classical game and the potential tie-break stage, where the ultimate champion will be crowned.
All the moves from Game 13: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.a3 Be7 8.Be3 Nb6 9.Nf4 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nc4 11.Bxc4 dxc4 12.Nge2 b5 13.0–0 0–0 14.Nc3 Rb8 15.Nh5 f5 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Qf3 Qe8 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Qe2 Qg6 20.f3 Rf8 21.Rad1 Ne7 22.Bf4 Rb6 23.Bc7 Rb7 24.Bd6 Re8 25.Bxe7 Rexe7 26.Qe5 a6 27.d5 exd5 28.Qxd5+ Qe6 29.Qc5 Re8 30.Rde1 Qf7 31.Ne4 Rf8 32.Nd6 Rc7 33.Qe5 Qf6 34.Qd5+ Kh8 35.Re5 Re7 36.Rfe1 Rxe5 37.Rxe5 h6 38.Qc5 Bd7 39.Ne4 Qf4 40.Re7 Bf5 41.Qd4 Rg8 42.h3 Qc1+ 43.Kf2 Bxe4 44.Rxe4 c3 45.bxc3 Qxa3 46.Kg3 Qb3 47.Re7 a5 48.Rb7 Qc4 49.Qe5 Qc6 50.Qxb5 Qxc3 51.Ra7 Qe1+ 52.Kh2 Qb4 53.Qxb4 axb4 54.Rb7 Ra8 55.Rxb4 Ra2 56.Kg3 Kh7 57.Rb5 Kg6 58.f4 Kf6 59.Kf3 Rc2 60.g3 Rc3+ 61.Kg4 Ra3 62.h4 Rc3 63.Rb6+ Kf7 64. f5 h5+ 65. Kf4 Rc4+ 66. Kf3 Rc3+ 67. Kf4 Rc4+ 68. Kf3 Rc3+ Match drawn.