D Gukesh plays out a draw against Ding Liren in the Sinquefield Cup

In their first classical encounter since the Candidates Tournament 2024, D Gukesh and reigning world champion Ding Liren played out a draw in the opening round of the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis. This game, which provided a glimpse into their future World Championship clash, ended without a winner.

Gukesh and Ding have previously met just twice in traditional competitions, both times at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, with Ding winning with white pieces.

Gukesh, who holds the world No. 6 spot, and Ding, now ranked 15th, navigated through a tense and tactical game. Gukesh spent over 22 minutes considering his next move before nudging his piece forward to d4 on his 18th move, but Ding failed to punish him. Ding played bishop d3, allowing the Indian chess grandmaster to escape an unusual situation.

Despite a few tense positions and a lengthy period of analysis, Ding’s attempt to break through D Gukesh’s defenses fell short. His move to push the queen to h6, aimed at creating pressure, was met with cautious play from Gukesh, leading to a series of exchanges that ended in a draw.

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D Gukesh to meet Ding Liren again at the World Chess Championship 2024

The recent game hinted at the intense competition expected at the World Chess Championship later this year. D Gukesh and Ding Liren demonstrated their strategic depth and resilience, setting up what should be an exciting match-up when they face off again in November.

The World Championship, set to take place from November 20 to December 15 in Singapore, will be the next big stage for these two chess giants. The choice of Singapore as the venue for the World Championship marks a significant milestone, being the first time the event will be hosted in this vibrant city known for its thriving chess community.

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