Ding’s comeback defeating Gukesh in the finals of the World Chess Championship | Sports News

The Chinese champion forces the Indian teenager to retire in game 12 and level the score at six points apiece.

Defending champion Ding Liren came back strongly to defeat his young challenger in the 12th game and hang on to their place in their FIDE World Chess Championship match.

India’s Gukesh Dommaraju was forced to retire in the 12th game on Monday after finding his king blocked by the white pieces of the Chinese champion, who had moved into enemy territory.

Ding’s victory moved the two players to within six points of each other, with just two games to go in the classic chess format at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa.

“The 12th game is very important. “Maybe the best game I’ve played in recent times,” Ding told the media after the game.

After Sunday’s loss, the champion said he regained his energy with more sleep and caffeine.

“Today, I drank a cup of coffee before the game, which helped me feel energetic … a small cup of espresso,” said Ding, a native of Wenzhou city.

Ding, 32, took control of the board early after making the first move and dominated his opponent throughout.

As the champion built a strong centre, Gukesh’s pieces were powerless to make any breakthrough.

The 18-year-old appeared to be gaining momentum for the title when he forced Ding to retire in the 11th game on Sunday to take a 6-5 lead.

But it is not to be, and he will have to wait, two more games will be played on Wednesday and Thursday after a rest day on Tuesday.

“Obviously it’s not fun to lose in this game,” Gukesh said dejectedly.

“At least the points are still tied and there are two games left. So let’s see.”

Ding’s return on Monday was reminiscent of the 2023 World Championships, where he overcame a 5-6 deficit to win the 12th game against Ian Nepomniachtchi of Kazakhstan.

He eventually forced a tie-breaker against Russia and won, becoming the first Chinese player to be crowned world champion.

If both Ding and Gukesh tie in 14 games, the match will go to the tie breaker, which will be played on December 13.

At his age, Gukesh is the youngest player in history to compete in the World Championship, and is looking to surpass Garry Kasparov as the youngest undisputed world chess champion.