Chess World Championship: Ding Liren spares Gukesh as Game 6 ends in yet another draw

In Game 6 of the World Chess Championship, India’s D. Gukesh and China’s Ding Liren are both eager to seize the lead, with the score tied at 2.5 points each.

Game 5 had ended in a draw after reigning world champion Ding Liren missed an opportunity to apply pressure in the endgame. Defending with the black pieces, Ding successfully neutralized Gukesh’s French Defense variation and seemed poised for a second win. However, a lack of precision in his moves allowed Gukesh to force a draw after 40 moves.

Despite Gukesh’s risky g4 move, which could have led to disaster, Ding failed to capitalize on the mistake. “I didn’t see the idea with 28…Rc8. I was thinking of moving the king to the kingside, like in a Berlin pawn structure. I didn’t realize it was a big advantage for me,” Ding admitted after the game.

Gukesh, on the other hand, expressed relief that Ding didn’t exploit the opportunity. “Towards the end of the game, I was very worried after 27…Be6 followed by 28…Rc8. I was quite relieved when my opponent played 27…Bc6, as I thought it would be a draw,” Gukesh said in the postgame press conference.