Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Indian hope D Gukesh lived to fight another day, as the young Indian drew with champion Ding Liren in Game 5 of the World Chess Championship in Singapore on November 30 as the scores remain level at 2.5 points each.
Defending champion Liren started the Championship defense off strong with a win to start things, but Gukesh clawed his way back with a draw and then a surprising win on Game 3 to tie it all up at 1.5 points each. The fourth game on November 29 ended in a tie, presenting both players an opportunity to edge the other out with a possible win.
An exchange variation of the French Defence was played to kick the game off, with multiple exchanges transpiring early on. Unlike the other games so far in the Championship, both players went out to hunt with a queen exchange taking place within the first 10 moves, as a queenless middle-game ensued.
Gukesh was seemingly pushed to think on his feet, as Liren slowly yet surely consolidated his position with the black pieces. The young Indian though kept his composure, ensuring that the game remained close as both competitors continues to drag out the seemingly uneventful yet tense middle game.
With the game poised at a critical moment, Gukesh opted to take a chance with a g4 move, seemingly opening up the white pieces’ defense, but opting to lead the charge to threaten Ding’s king.
The Indian continued to probe Liren’s defences with checks in timely fashion. But the defending champion did not fail to respond accurately, as he patiently awaited for his opportunity to exploit Gukesh’s slowly-opened position on the board.
