In a stunning display of resilience and resourcefulness, 18-year-old chess prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh found all the right moves to draw game 4 of his World Chess Championship match against reigning titleholder Ding Liren. After a rocky start to the best-of-14 series, the young challenger has rebounded to keep the score level at 2 points apiece.
Ding Liren’s Opening Surprises Fall Flat
For the second game in a row with the black pieces, Gukesh had to deal with some crafty opening preparation from his esteemed opponent. Ding Liren, known for his deep theoretical knowledge, once again tried to steer the game into uncharted territory and put the pressure on his less experienced challenger.
However, just like in game 2, Gukesh met the champion’s offbeat opening with cool-headed, principled play. “I had seen this variation before, but I hadn’t really prepared for it specifically,” the teenager admitted in post-game comments. “So I just tried to find the right moves over the board.”
Finding Solidity in Murky Waters
And find the right moves he did. In a complex middlegame position where both players’ clocks were ticking down, Gukesh took over 20 minutes to come up with the master stroke 21. Ne5! This single move changed the character of the position, stymieing white’s initiative and bringing the game back to even footing.
That Ne5 move was a critical moment. If black doesn’t find that resource, white could have pushed for a serious advantage there.
– Viswanathan Anand, 5-time World Champion and chess commentator
After Gukesh’s deft knight maneuver, Ding retreated his own knight in a move many saw as an acknowledgment that his winning chances had evaporated. A few precise exchanges later, the game fizzled into a draw by repetition on move 42.
Strengths Shining Through
While the game itself may not go down as an all-time classic, it showcased many of the strengths in Gukesh’s play that have made him the youngest challenger for the world title in chess history:
- Profound tactical vision, spotting the Ne5 resource in a messy position
- Nerves of steel in the face of his vastly more experienced opponent’s novel ideas
- Pragmatic decision-making to simplify into a drawn position when winning chances were slim
So while the young Indian superstar may have been on the back foot in the opening, his poise and problem-solving ability shone through in the middlegame to secure a solid result with black. Through four games, his impressive composure and fighting spirit have belied his tender age.
Looking Ahead
With the match scores level at 2-2 and the €2 million prize fund still up for grabs, the chess world eagerly awaits the continuation of this generational clash:
- Can Ding Liren reassert his authority and experience to pull ahead?
- Or will rising star Gukesh continue to match the champ blow-for-blow?
- Look for the champion to bring even more novel opening ideas as he presses for a win
- But don’t count out Gukesh’s resourcefulness and deep reserves of fighting spirit
As the chess universe descends on Singapore for this momentous world championship match, one thing is clear: the future of the ancient game is in very capable young hands with D. Gukesh. Win or lose this match, his star will only continue to rise in the years to come.
