Chennai, Dec 7 (UNI) A breakthrough still awaited, as the 10th game between Indian Challenger D.Gukesh an reigning champion Ding Liren of China ended in a draw in the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore on Saturday evening.
The match lasted 36 moves.
This is the seventh successive draw and the eighth in the 14-match classical game.
Both the players at tied with 5 points each with four games remaining.
Those who secure 2.5 points in the remaining games will be crowned World title.
As the players approach the end of the match, there was much more caution in their approaches.
Neither of them wants to make an unnecessary mistake that might compromise the effort they have shown up to now.
Playing with White, Ding Liren once again chose the London system, repeating the line he used in game six.
On this occasion, he tried out a relatively unconventional idea 5.Be2, followed by 6.dxc5 and 7.c4, a setup that his second GM, Richard Rapport, has used in the past.
“Pawn to Ding Four” was commentator GM David Howell’s reaction to the champions opening. “This is the third time in the history of the World Championship matches that we have seen the London System and all three of them have been played by Ding”.
The Champion was looking for a small but risk-free advantage, but Gukesh’s position was solid, with no weaknesses.
But with no real chance for a favorable outcome, Ding exchanged queens and liquidated to a totally equal ending, and a draw was agreed on move 36 after a threefold repetition.
“This opening is one of my second’s ideas – apart from this line I had also prepared for the other line” was Ding’s explanation after the game.
“Obviously, I am up for a game with either colour, but to get a solid draw like this with Black is obviously a good result”, Gukesh said.
The 11th game will take place on Sunday when Gukesh will play with White pieces.
