Defending champion Ding Liren has demonstrated remarkable resilience by bouncing back strongly in the 12th game of the FIDE World Chess Championship. This victory has leveled the score, with both players now tied at six points each, and only two more games remaining in the classical format at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa.

Ding's Comeback and the Tense Chess Battle

Game 12: A Turning Point

In game 12, the Chinese titleholder Ding Liren showcased his strategic prowess as he forced India’s teenaged challenger Gukesh Dommaraju to resign. This decisive moment occurred when Ding’s white pieces advanced deeply into enemy territory, cornering Gukesh’s king. It was a crucial game that not only tied the scores but also set the stage for the remaining matches. Ding himself expressed the significance of this game, stating, “It’s a very important 12th game. It’s maybe the best game I played in recent times.” After Sunday’s loss, Ding regained his energy with more sleep and a small cup of espresso before Monday’s game. This boost in energy allowed him to take control of the board early on and dominate his opponent throughout.

Before and After the 11th Game

Before the 11th game on Sunday, Gukesh seemed to have the momentum as he forced Ding to resign and took a 6-5 lead. However, Ding’s comeback in game 12 changed the course of the match. Now, with the scores tied at six points each, both players have to wait for the next two games on Wednesday and Thursday after a rest day on Tuesday. Gukesh, although dejected after losing game 12, remains optimistic as he said, “At least the score is still tied and there are two more games remaining. So let’s see.”

Reminiscent of 2023 World Championship

Ding’s comeback on Monday was reminiscent of the 2023 World Championship when he overcame a 5-6 deficit by winning game 12 against Ian Nepomniachtchi in Kazakhstan. This victory ultimately led him to force a tie-breaker and become the first Chinese player to be crowned world champion. If both Ding and Gukesh are tied in 14 games, the match will move to a rapid-fire tie-breaker on December 13.

Gukesh’s Young Achievements

At just 18 years old, Gukesh is the youngest player in history to compete in the World Championship. He is looking to surpass Garry Kasparov as the youngest undisputed world chess champion. His performance in this match has already made a significant impact, and he continues to strive for greater success.