Chess World Championship: King Ding strikes back
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 9
Showing his true mettle, Ding Liren beat Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dammaraju in Game 12 of the World Chess Championship, tying the score at six points each with two more games to go before the tie-breaks.
Ding came from behind to win the match with the white pieces after losing Game 11 to Gukesh just about 18 hours earlier. Interestingly, Ding had similarly won Game 12 of his last World Chess Championship match against Ian Nepomniachtchi, where he was also trailing by one point. Ding eventually won the championship in the tie-break games.
In his element today, Ding pushed Gukesh’s pieces in the English Opening (1.c4) and left the Indian’s pieces cramped for space. He was so dominant in the game that he even yawned (the first player to do so in this match) while Gukesh was contemplating his 17th move. Apparently, Ding had spent the previous night preparing for the match as he was a point down. He also leisurely stretched himself in his chair while his opponent racked his brains to find the right moves.
At some points, the position on the board was similar to yesterday’s game where Gukesh, playing with white, had dominant advanced pawns and a white fianchetto bishop breathing fire along the long diagonal supported by the queen. Today, Ding had the same domination with white pieces.
Asked about the secret of his resilience and aggressive play today, Ding, wearing his inimitable smile, said he had coffee before the game. He also thanked his second for the match, Richard Rapport. “Rapport sent me a file with the name ‘Strike Back’ and it happened,” he said.
The seconds are also top-ranking chess players who help world chess title contenders with preparation. Gukesh has not disclosed his seconds, though there have been references to the influence of Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi on his preparation.
Chess App TakeTakeTake termed the victory as significant, calling it ‘King Ding Strikes Back’. It said Ding took a cue from Gukesh’s opening yesterday and won with a rook sacrifice in 39 moves.
Ding, in the post-match conference, disagreed with commentators’ assessments that he played passive chess earlier. When asked why he produces amazing chess when trailing in a match, and accused of not pushing for a win in the seven drawn games where he had chances, he said, “In earlier games, there was no clear victory. I could have lost too. Today, I had no way to retreat. I had to push for a win. I think I just played a very good game and found some good moves. I think there was no chance to spoil such a good position.”
Gukesh put up a brave face, saying he was more focused on playing good chess than on winning or losing. “Of course, I am disappointed with the loss, but the scores are tied and it is good that it is a rest day tomorrow,” he said.
The players will meet on Wednesday when Gukesh will have white for Game 13. It remains to be seen if he will go with the Reti Opening again or bring a new surprise to the board.
