A shocking blunder by Ding Liren in Game 11 of the World Chess Championship on December 8, 2024, left him trailing 6-5 in his title match against the young Indian challenger, Gukesh Dommaraju. With only three games remaining in the best-of-14 match, Gukesh is now on the cusp of making history. If he clinches the title, he would break Garry Kasparov’s record, becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at just 18 years old.
The game’s outcome was influenced by mutual time pressure, with both players under extreme duress as the match progressed. Gukesh, playing as White, opened with 1. Kf3, which led to a sharp and unbalanced position after Ding responded with 2…d4, opting for the Reti Opening. The opening was a bold choice by Gukesh, and he later commented that he felt confident about outpreparing his opponent, aided by his team’s meticulous analysis of this particular line. His decision to choose such an unorthodox move reflected his confidence and risk-taking, which paid off in a dramatic way.
Ding spent considerable time early in the game, particularly on his fifth move (5…Bg4), burning through 22 minutes on a single decision. This left him more than an hour behind on the clock. Gukesh, meanwhile, also faced time trouble, spending over an hour on his 11th move. Despite this, he continued to play accurately, aided by Ding’s inaccuracy with 21…Rd7, which allowed Gukesh to regain his composure and seize control of the game.
The decisive moment came on move 28, when Ding, with only seven minutes left on his clock, blundered with 28…Qc8. Gukesh immediately recognized the mistake and seized the opportunity, capturing Ding’s queen with 29 Qxc6. This sudden blunder shattered Ding’s position, and within seconds, he offered a handshake and resigned from the game. The decision was swift and left Ding visibly shaken, as he quickly exited the playing hall.
This result marked a turning point in the match, as it gave Gukesh a one-point lead for the first time in the entire World Championship series. The crowds, especially those in the fan zone, erupted in celebration, with many of Gukesh’s supporters in attendance. His performance in Game 11 has placed him on the brink of breaking Kasparov’s long-standing record of being the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion. Kasparov was 22 when he claimed the title in 1985, dethroning Anatoly Karpov in their rematch.
Gukesh’s remarkable rise to prominence in the tournament has been met with widespread admiration. Despite Ding’s long-standing reputation and his earlier victory in the previous World Championship against Ian Nepomniachtchi, Gukesh’s determination and preparation have put him in a strong position to capture the world title. This victory in Game 11, especially after such a tense and complex battle, could prove to be the crucial step in his historic journey.
The match is still far from over, and Ding will undoubtedly be determined to fight back in the remaining three games. He has experience in such situations, having faced a similar deficit in last year’s World Championship, where he came back to tie the match before winning in a tiebreaker phase. His previous resilience in high-pressure moments will be key as he faces the task of leveling the score in the final games.
The World Chess Championship, with its high-stakes drama and intense focus on precision, continues to captivate audiences. With Gukesh now ahead, the pressure is on Ding to prove his resolve and push the match into tiebreaks if necessary. Should the score reach 7-7 after 14 games, the title will be decided by rapid and blitz games, where both players will need to showcase their ability to perform under even more intense time constraints.
As the championship enters its final stretch, the chess world eagerly awaits what promises to be an electrifying conclusion. For Gukesh, the dream of becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion is tantalizingly close, but Ding Liren will fight until the very end, determined to add another title to his name.
