D Gukesh Vs Ding Liren, World Chess Championship 2024 Game 7 Highlights: Gukesh, Ding settle for a draw in Singapore

In the seventh game of the World Chess Championship, defending champion Ding Liren of China and Indian challenger D Gukesh fought for over five hours, ending in a draw after 72 moves. Despite Gukesh gaining an early advantage, Ding's resilient defence and strategic play levelled the game, tying both players at 3.5 points each.

1. Nf3 d5
2. g3 g6
3. d4 Bg7
4. c4 c6
5. Bg2 Nf6
6. O-O O-O
7. Re1 dxc4
8. e4 Bg4
9. Nbd2 c5
10. d5 e6
11. h3 Bxf3
12. Bxf3 exd5
13. exd5 Nbd7
14. Nxc4 b5
15. Na3 Qb6
16. Bf4 Rfe8
17. Qd2 Rd8
18. Nc2 Nf8
19. b4 c4
20. Be3 Qa6
21. Bd4 Rxe1
22. Rxe1 Qxa2
23. Ra1 Qb3
24. Ra3 Qb1+
25. Kg2 Rd7
26. Ra5 Qb3
27. Ra3 Qb1
28. Ra5 Qb3
29. Rxb5 Qd3
30. Qf4 Qxc2
31. Bxf6 Qf5
32. Qxf5 gxf5
33. Bxg7 Kxg7
34. Rc5 Ng6
35. Rcx6 Ne5
36. Rd4 Nc6
37. Rf4 Ne7
38. b5 Kf6
39. Rd4 h6
40. Kf1 Ke5
41. Rh4 Nxd5
42. Rxc6 Nc3
43. Rc6 Ne4
44. Ke1 f6
45. h4 Rd3
46. Bd1 f4
47. gxf4+ Kxf4
48. Bc2 Rd5
49. Rc4 f5
50. Rb4 Kf3
51. Bd1+ Kg2
52. Rb3 Re5
53. f4 Re7
54. Re3 Rh7
55. h5 Nf6
56. Re5 Nxh5
57. Rxf5 Ng3
58. Rf8 Rb7
59. Ba4 Kf3
60. f5 Kf4
61. f6 Ne4
62. Bc2 Nd6
63. Rd8 Ke5
64. Bb3 Nf7
65. Rd5+ Kxf6
66. Kd2 Rb6
67. Bc4 Rd6
68. Kc3 Rxd5
69. Bxd5 Nd6
70. Kb4 Nxb5
71. Kxb5+ a6+
72. Kxa6 ke5

Gukesh plays Bishop to a4, a brilliant move that showcases his deep understanding of the position. By placing the bishop on an active diagonal, he increases its influence over the board, targeting critical squares and restricting Ding’s rook and king.

Gukesh pushes h5, advancing his pawn to put pressure on Ding's position and prevent his rook on h7 from easily targeting the h-file. This move signals Gukesh’s intent to maintain an active and aggressive stance, keeping Ding's pieces restricted while advancing his own pawn closer to promotion territory. The game remains delicately poised, with Gukesh showing resilience under time pressure and Ding searching for counterplay. The h5 move also adds complexity to the position, forcing Ding to carefully evaluate his response.

With mere seconds remaining on his clock, Gukesh plays f4, advancing his pawn and maintaining an active position. While this move doesn't immediately suggest he's aiming for a draw, it indicates he is focused on stabilizing the position under intense time pressure. By pushing the pawn, Gukesh keeps the game alive, aiming to retain some initiative and create potential opportunities.

Gukesh has now spent nearly 10 minutes on his 48th move, a critical decision in this tense endgame. In an unexpected twist, he has less time remaining than Ding, with just over two and a half minutes left and the clock ticking down. This dramatic shift in time management highlights the immense pressure both players are under, as Gukesh carefully evaluates his options to maintain his advantage while avoiding any missteps. The balance of time and precision is crucial at this stage, and every second counts.

Gukesh plays h4, advancing his pawn and solidifying control on the kingside, likely aiming to create space for his pieces or set up a pawn push. Ding responds with Rd3, activating his rook and attempting to create counterplay. Gukesh then retreats with Bd1, repositioning his bishop to a more defensive square to counter Ding's active rook. Ding replies with f4, pushing his king aggressively to challenge Gukesh's structure and create new tactical opportunities.

After 23 minutes of contemplation, Ding plays f6, likely aiming to open up his kingside. This move suggests that Ding is looking for ways to counter Gukesh's advantage, possibly by preparing a defensive structure or attempting to create counterplay. However, with Gukesh still holding a material advantage and managing his time well, Ding's move may not be enough to turn the tide as Gukesh continues to apply pressure in the endgame.

Gukesh moves his king to e1, likely improving its safety and preparing for the endgame. By centralizing his king, Gukesh ensures it is better positioned to support his pieces and control key squares as the game progresses. With Ding’s knight on e4 and Gukesh’s rook still active, the pressure remains on Ding to find a way to break through or defend effectively. Gukesh’s move suggests he is aiming for a strong, coordinated finish to the game.

Gukesh plays Rc6, putting Ding in a difficult spot. This move forces Ding to contemplate his options carefully, as he now faces a material disadvantage and a more vulnerable position. Gukesh's rook is highly active, and Ding's pieces are under pressure. With the game entering its critical endgame phase, Ding must find a way to respond to Gukesh’s increasing dominance and avoid further material loss.

Gukesh plays Rxc6, capturing Ding's knight and further consolidating his advantage. This move puts Ding on the back foot, as he loses a piece and faces increasing pressure. In response, Ding plays Nc3, likely trying to activate his knight and create counterplay on the queenside or disrupt Gukesh’s coordination. However, with Gukesh's material advantage and increasing pressure, Ding now finds himself in a difficult position, needing to find a precise response to stay in the game.

Gukesh moves his rook to h4, likely aiming to increase pressure on Ding's position, particularly on the kingside. This move could also be preparing for a potential attack or pin, as Gukesh looks to capitalize on any weaknesses in Ding's defence. With the game entering the final stages, Gukesh’s rook on h4 could be a key piece in creating threats, and Ding will need to find a way to respond effectively.

Gukesh moves his king to f1, a subtle but important move to improve his king's safety and possibly prepare for the endgame. With this move, he completes his 40th move, and an additional 30 minutes have been added to his clock, giving him more time to plan his next steps. Meanwhile, Ding plays his 40th move, moving his king to e5, likely to centralize his king and improve its position, possibly preparing for an endgame scenario. With both players having now made 40 moves, the game has entered a critical phase, where every decision becomes crucial.

Gukesh plays Rd4, placing his rook on an open file and likely preparing to increase pressure on Ding's position. At this moment, Ding must find a move to respond to Gukesh's increasing control of the board. The position is becoming more critical, and Ding will need to find a precise and defensive move to maintain balance or counterattack. With the game at such a tense point, each move carries significant weight. Ding comes up with h6.

Gukesh plays Rd4, positioning his rook on the fourth rank, likely aiming to control key squares and apply pressure on Ding’s position. Ding responds with Nc6, developing his knight to an active square and preparing to increase his defensive or offensive options. Both players are continuing to exchange moves, with the game growing more complex and intense as they navigate through the critical endgame.

Ding plays Qf5, likely aiming to trade queens or increase pressure on Gukesh’s position. Gukesh responds with Qxf5, and after Ding recaptures with gxf5, the board opens up further. Gukesh plays Bxg7, capturing Ding’s pawn and further weakening his position, and Ding replies with Kxg7, bringing his king into a more vulnerable spot. Gukesh follows up with Rc5, placing his rook on an active file, while Ding responds with Ng6, aiming to bring his knight into a more active position and defend against Gukesh's growing threats. The game is now entering a critical phase with both players maneuvering for dominance.

With Gukesh's massive lead on the clock now gone, the game has become more tense. Gukesh plays Rxb5, capturing a pawn and putting pressure on Ding's position. Ding responds with Qd3, likely aiming to activate his queen and challenge Gukesh's pieces. In response, Gukesh plays Qf4, shifting his queen to a more central and active square, possibly eyeing Ding's pawns or preparing for a tactical attack. The game is intensifying as both players continue to calculate their moves carefully, with the time pressure now evenly distributed.

Gukesh plays Ra5, positioning his rook to an active square and possibly eyeing Ding's queen or pawns on the queenside. Ding responds with Queen to b3, perhaps looking to exert pressure on Gukesh's position or threaten key squares. Gukesh then moves his rook to a3, potentially preparing for a shift in focus or aiming to increase the pressure on Ding’s pieces. Ding counters with Queen to b1, possibly aiming to put more pressure on the a-pawn or create tactical threats along the first rank. The game remains finely balanced, with both players continuing to manoeuvre for the upper hand.

Gukesh moves his rook to a1, and Ding responds with Queen to b3, targeting potential weaknesses in Gukesh's position. Gukesh then shifts his rook to a3, possibly preparing to swing it across the board or pressure Ding’s pawns. Ding counters with Queen to b1, perhaps aiming to put more pressure on Gukesh’s queenside or create tactical threats. In response, Gukesh plays Kg2, moving his king to a safer position, possibly preparing for the endgame while ensuring his king is well-protected.

After the exchange of rooks, with Ding's rook taking Gukesh's rook and Gukesh responding by capturing the rook on e1, Ding then takes a pawn with his queen. Now, it's Gukesh's turn. He has the opportunity to capitalize on the position, and with the game becoming more dynamic, he must find a move that maintains his advantage, possibly by targeting Ding's exposed queen or improving the positioning of his own pieces.

Gukesh responds with Bishop to d4, placing his bishop on a central and active square, where it controls important lines and adds pressure on Ding's position. This move also restricts Ding's options, especially in terms of piece mobility, and continues to keep the initiative with Gukesh. With Ding’s queen now on a6, Gukesh is positioning his pieces to stay ahead in the game and maintain control over key areas.

Ding moves his queen to a6, positioning it on an open file and potentially eyeing Gukesh's weak spots on the queenside. This move aims to increase the activity of his queen and create new threats, possibly targeting pawns or attacking Gukesh's pieces. Now, Gukesh must carefully evaluate how to counter Ding's queen’s new position while maintaining his own advantage.

Ding plays c4, making a bold move to challenge Gukesh’s control over the centre and possibly opening up new lines of attack. Now, the ball is firmly in Gukesh’s court. With his time advantage and the position slightly in his favour, Gukesh has the opportunity to capitalize on Ding's move and dictate the next phase of the game. The pressure is on him to respond decisively and maintain his momentum.

Standing in the background, the Fair-play Officer is also closely observing Ding's next move, as it's been more than 10 minutes since Gukesh made his last move with the white pieces. The prolonged thinking time from Ding has raised some attention. With the clock ticking down and the stakes high, every decision is critical, and the officials are ensuring that the game proceeds fairly and within the rules.

Today, the intensity of the game has kept Ding firmly in his seat, with no opportunity for his usual breaks to roam to the restroom, munch on brownie chips, or sip water. The pressure of the match has been immense, leaving him fully focused on the board without any chance to relax or unwind. This shift in pace highlights the high-stakes nature of the contest, where every move counts and both players are fully immersed in the mental battle.

1. Nf3 d5
2. g3 g6
3. d4 Bg7
4. c4 c6
5. Bg2 Nf6
6. O-O O-O
7. Re1 dxc4
8. e4 Bg4
9. Nbd2 c5
10. d5 e6
11. h3 Bxf3
12. Bxf3 exd5
13. exd5 Nbd7
14. Nxc4 b5
15. Na3 Qb6
16. Bf4 Rfe8
17. Qd2 Rd8
18. Nc2 Nf8

Ding plays Nf8, retreating his knight to a more defensive position, likely preparing to reposition it or reinforce his defence. Gukesh, on the other hand, is deep in thought, taking his time to carefully assess the situation. With his significant time advantage, he can afford to consider all possible options and plan his next move strategically, aiming to break through Ding's defence while maintaining control over the game.