SGChess Blog #8 – FIDE World Chess Championship 2024: A Riveting First Half Ends in a Deadlock
The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship, presented by Google, has been captivating, with reigning champion Ding Liren and challenger Gukesh Dommaraju tied at 3.5-3.5 after seven intense games. The contest has showcased both players’ deep chess knowledge, tactical brilliance, and psychological fortitude, unfolding on the grandest stage of chess. As the match progresses, fans and experts eagerly await the victor in what promises to be a historic and fiercely contested event.
Game 1: Ding Strikes First
In Game 1, Ding, playing Black, opted for the French Defence—a less common choice at this level. Gukesh, with White, countered with a bold novelty, 10.g4, an aggressive move that initially posed significant challenges for Ding. As the game progressed, Gukesh began to struggle under time pressure, making key inaccuracies such as 20.Rac1? and 22.Qe1?. Ding capitalized on Gukesh’s mistakes, winning after 42 moves.
During the post-game press conference, Ding acknowledged missing a couple of tactical opportunities, though, in reality, the overlooked moves would have ultimately favoured him regardless. Ding’s win was especially meaningful, as it ended a long winless streak in classical chess dating back to January of this year. This victory gave Ding a significant psychological boost heading into the rest of the match.
Game 2: A Missed Opportunity
The ceremonial first moves for Game 2 were made by two iconic figures in Singaporean chess. Ten-time national champion Tan Lian Ann opened for White, while Stella Kon, daughter of the late Professor Lim Kok Ann, represented the black pieces. Professor Lim, a pioneer of chess in Singapore and the country’s first national champion, was instrumental in nurturing local chess talent.
Once the game began, both players opted for a cautious, risk-free approach. Ding’s choice of line in the Giuoco Piano surprised Gukesh, leading to an almost 30-minute think on move 14. However, despite Ding’s best efforts, Gukesh remained composed and managed to equalize quite comfortably, ultimately leading to a quick repetition that ended on move 23. Afterward, Gukesh expressed his satisfaction with the result, “A draw with Black in the World Championship is always nice.” Ding acknowledged the psychological advantage he’d gained with his earlier win, stating, “I think it will be a big fight tomorrow. He’s a point down, and he will have the white pieces, so I’m ready for a fight“.
Game 3: Gukesh’s Comeback
Game 3 saw Gukesh coming out with all guns blazing. On move 9, he played an aggressive pawn thrust that seemed to catch Ding off guard. Though the challenger’s energetic moves were not precise, the champion ultimately faltered in time pressure. leading to a loss of a piece and eventually a loss on time.
Gukesh’s victory showcased his resilience and adaptability, especially after the setback in Game 1. “Today, I just managed to outplay my opponent,” he said post-game. This result set up an exciting continuation of the match as both players headed into the rest day with the score tied.
Games 4, 5 and 6: Strategic Deadlock
The ceremonial aspect of Game 4 was marked by chess legends Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Champion, and Xie Jun, a four-time Women’s World Champion, making the first moves, a nod to their pivotal roles in promoting chess in Asia and around the world.
Game 4 featured a Reti / Reverse Queen’s Indian, with both sides carefully probing for weaknesses and avoiding high-risk moves that ended in a straightforward draw.
In Game 5, Ding played the French Defence, with Gukesh opting for the Exchange Variation. Despite moments of complexity, the game simplified into a draw after Ding failed to find the best way to pressure Gukesh for his positional mistakes.
Game 6 contained more life than the previous two games with Ding putting his young opponent under pressure by blitzing out his opening moves. Although Gukesh was slightly worse, he rejected a threefold repetition and bravely continued the struggle. This ultimately proved very dangerous for him as Ding found a way to increase his advantage. However, with deft defence, the Indian superstar was able to work his way out of trouble and save the game. When asked in the press conference whether he was using a psychological tactic by not repeating moves earlier when he had the chance, Gukesh smiled and simply responded, “I just like playing chess”.
A light-hearted moment in the press conference added levity to the otherwise tense atmosphere. When asked about the ‘Ding Chilling’ meme and its ice cream reference, Ding, with characteristic innocence, asked, “What is the meaning of ‘Chill’?” and clarified, “I didn’t have ice cream here.” His simple and endearing response captivated the audience, making it hard not to root for such a modest and humble champion even amidst the fierce competition.
Game 7:
In Game 7, Gukesh emerged from the opening with a commanding advantage, poised to deliver a masterpiece. However, Ding’s resilient “Great Wall of China” defence gradually dismantled Gukesh’s initiative. In the post-game press conference, Ding admitted he had assessed his position as “hopeless” and “lost,” yet through sheer determination and precise play, he transformed a dire situation into a remarkable defensive stand. “I made many mistakes, but fortunately, I saved the game”.
Gukesh expressed some frustration but took the result of the game in stride. “It’s never pleasant to misplay a winning position, but I’m happy about the fact that I outplayed my opponent quite easily in the opening, and after that, it’s a chance, but also, there’s some positives, and I’ll try to repeat the mistake in the next games.”
A Spectacle Beyond the Board
Beyond the competition of the 2024 World Chess Championship, the event unfolds as a dynamic celebration of the game, offering ticket holders an array of immersive experiences. Fans can meet legendary figures such as GM Viswanathan Anand, GM Maurice Ashley, and GM Boris Gelfand in the Fan Zone, where they can take photos, interact with their idols, and participate in exclusive meet-and-greet sessions. Attendees also have access to attend masterclasses by experts, listen to insightful talks on a variety of chess-related topics, and take in Google’s impressive AI exhibition.
For those with VIP ticket holders, the event provides even more exclusive opportunities. Attendees get to sit in on live expert commentary by GM David Howell and IM Jovanka Houska, have access to the VIP Lounge, network with Grandmasters, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to participate in a simultaneous exhibition against some of the world’s best players.
The organizers were very intentional in extending invitations to top female players such as GM Anna Muzychuk, GM Xie Jun, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, IM Irene Sukandar, and WGM Qiyu Zhou, to celebrate women’s excellence in the game and inspire a new generation of female players.
The 2024 Singapore Chess Festival has further elevated the excitement, with the National Age Group Championship 2024 and nearly 600 participants, including 36 grandmasters, competing in the Singapore International Open. The festival also marks 50 years since Eugenio Torre became Asia’s first grandmaster, underscoring Asia’s growing dominance in the chess world.
Personal Reflections
As a lifelong chess enthusiast, watching the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship unfold and playing my small part in it has been an exhilarating journey so far. The electric atmosphere of the event is palpable, with fans from around the world and every age group coming together, eagerly analyzing positions, and sharing their excitement at critical moments during the games. It’s not just the players who are on the edge of their seats—every spectator in the hall feels the tension and the thrill of each game.
The tireless media crew, working behind the scene, is another unsung hero of this event. Their dedication to ensuring that fans globally are connected to the action is evident in every broadcast, every social media update, and every interview. I have been in awe of how they capture the nuances of each game, providing context and expert analysis to fans of all levels.
Then there are the moments of sheer brilliance—watching experts of the game analyze puzzles that I can’t even begin to fathom, diving into various lines and depths of the game (or icebergs, as Ding calls it) that feel like a distant galaxy to me. The chess world is constantly evolving, and events like these highlight just how far we’ve advanced in our understanding of the game, especially with the aid of engines. As I sit among fans, sharing in their enthusiasm, I reflect on the profound influence chess has had on my own journey. I recall competing in local tournaments, and now, seeing the world’s best battle it out here, in this part of the world, serves as a humbling reminder of the incredible strides both the game and we, as a global community, have made.
As the tournament moves into its second half, I feel privileged to be part of this incredible chess community, witnessing history in the making. Will Gukesh make history as the youngest World Champion, or will Ding Liren overcome his personal struggles and defend his title with brilliant resilience? Only time will tell.
By Radha Mohanraj, a chess enthusiast, player, and part of the organising committee for the FIDE World Championship Singapore 2024. A lawyer by profession, she is dedicated to using chess as a platform to inspire, connect and create meaningful experiences that resonate beyond the board.