In an exciting Game 6 of the 2024 World Chess Championship, both Gukesh and Ding Liren agreed to a draw after 46 moves, leaving the match tied at 3 points each. This thrilling contest, which featured strategic depth and intense battles, ended in a threefold repetition draw, following a tense exchange of moves.
Gukesh, despite being in a slightly worse position, made a bold decision to continue playing instead of accepting an early draw, even when the reigning world champion Ding Liren had a strong advantage on the board. Ding’s early dominance was evident as he gained a significant time advantage, forcing Gukesh to fall behind by over 40 minutes after just 20 moves.
Ding Liren’s preparation was impeccable, with the Chinese grandmaster making his first 20 moves in a mere seven minutes. In contrast, Gukesh, still adjusting to the high pressure of the World Championship, spent nearly 53 minutes on his initial moves. The opening was marked by the London System, adding a layer of intrigue to the game.
As the match unfolded, Gukesh, now at 2.5 points, refused to accept a draw on move 26. He explained his decision after the game, saying, “I thought I might be slightly worse out of the opening, but I wasn’t sure. With open files in front of his king, I thought I would always have counterplay. I didn’t see a reason to take the draw repetition. I wasn’t playing for a win, just wanted to see what would happen after a few more moves.”
After five games, the best-of-14 World Championship match remains tightly poised. Both players have one win each, with three draws so far. As the tension builds, Game 6 provided a fascinating glimpse into the mental fortitude and preparation required at this elite level of chess.
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