Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Champion In History • lichess.org

The transfer of the crown
Photo: Eric Rosen

For the second time in the game, Ding tried 1. Nf3, signaling his intention to avoid the major opening theory. After Gukesh’s principled 1…d5 response, Ding plays in the style of the hypermodernists, eschewing pawn central control in favor of piece central control, by playing fianchetto. While Gukesh continues to play classically with 2…c5 and 3…Nc6, Ding finally places a pawn in the center with 4. d4, and White finds himself playing the Reversed Grünfeld — the Grünfeld Defense but from the White side.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#7

A story of…
Photo: Eric Rosen

… two storms
Photo: Eric Rosen

It seems clear that Gukesh was not at all surprised by Ding’s choice as he continued to play quickly, responding to the Reversed Grünfeld with a concrete idea: clarifying the central tension of 5…cxd4. After Ding’s 6. Nxd4, Gukesh once again shocked the world with an opening surprise and almost new: 6…Nge7!?. While a strange looking move, Gukesh’s idea was clear: to get rid of a pair of knights by playing 1…Nxd4 2. Qxd4 and then 2…Nc6 to get a the queen’s tempo.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#12

6…Nge7, where did I see that before?
Photo: Eng Chin An

Ding allowed Gukesh’s plan and pawned the middle, which was Stockfish’s recommended move. Gukesh followed his plan and, continuing to play quickly, went to 9 … d4, gained space and again showed that he was in deep preparation.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#18

Deep preparation
Photo: Eng Chin An

Ding logically responded with 10. e3, challenging Gukesh’s hold on the center. After the central tension is resolved and Black’s bishop returns to d4, it becomes clear that White has a slight advantage because his light-squared bishop has a wide range. On the other hand, Black’s bishop is blocked by his own pawns, one of the important positional themes of the game.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#23

Is every game French?
Photo: Eng Chin An

Ding then continued to develop his dark-squared bishop while also gaining tempo on Black’s dark-squared bishop. That tempo doesn’t matter because Black can afford to lose tempo because White is a bit underdeveloped. As Gukesh’s bishop reached d4 once again, Gukesh’s central control looked powerful and ensured that he could not get worse.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#30

The last principle
Photo: Eng Chin An

With 16…e5 and Black’s light-squared bishop already having the potential to develop, Ding must act quickly if he wants to gain any sort of advantage. 17. qd2! and 18. nd5! two good moves that helped Ding pursue his goals, but Gukesh was alert and played a momentum-shifting and well-timed 18…b5! pawn break.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#36

Time to bail?
Image: Eng Chin An

A long, almost forced computer line might have given White a nominal advantage with chances to play, but at that point, Ding might have felt there was no game left, so he started a sequence of mass liquidation that began. with 19. cxb5. Following 22…Rb8, the position looks very fair and the game seems headed for a draw.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#44

Maybe there is another toy?
Photo: Eric Rosen

However, as is always the case in such positions, there are many ways for both sides to weaken – and if not outright wrong, there are many ways for one side to make the draw more difficult. achieve. Unfortunately for Ding, Gukesh’s quick movement meant he had to contend with a powerful b4 pawn, which managed to freeze White’s pawn majority.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#50

There is definitely more to play.
Photo: Eng Chin An

After Ding’s 26. a4, it is clear that Ding wants to defend 3 vs. 2 rook (+bishop) endgame as he did in yesterday’s round — except that with the addition of bishops, the position becomes more difficult to defend. Practically speaking, such a decision is not a sin because if one maintains the material uniformity of a move like 26. Rd3 of the machine, things can easily get out of hand, especially if there is a time disturbance. Going with a 3 vs. 2, as long as the worse side defense approach is up to par, would be a better and more pragmatic option. That being said, Ding really didn’t want to have to make this decision after he was so good a few steps ago.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#51

Ding did not wait to defend that position.
Photo: Eng Chin An

A few more “pretend” moves are played before the inevitable 3 vs. 2 rook + bishop endgame is on the board – there are other possibilities, of course, but the way both sides are playing, it’s obvious they’re both headed their way. that position. At move 32 and with 22 minutes remaining for 8 moves, it’s time to see if Ding can hold the position.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#63

Gukesh squeezed and squeezed.
Photo: Eng Chin An

… And held a position that he did not have. If one were to replay the game with the analysis engine turned on, one would be under the false impression that Ding always had a hand draw and perfunctory moves were played. That’s definitely not the case, however, and we’re once again directing the reader to our event stream to follow all the twists and turns of this final game. After all, Ding’s mistake arose out of stress, although his fellow elite chess players, like our guest commentator Ivan Cheparinov, criticized his mistake.

https://lichess.org/study/embed/LtsCRK9D/YaARFAYu#109

Gukesh couldn’t contain his excitement!
Photo: Eng Chin An

First he walked.
Photo: Eng Chin An

Then he shook hands.
Photo: Eng Chin An

Then he let it in.
Photo: Eng Chin An

And he cried.
Photo: Eng Chin An

And finally he was happy!
Photo: Eng Chin An

https://lichess.org/study/LF4x850G/HCFmWifD#0

Ding remained as gracious as ever in defeat.
Photo: Eng Chin An

Gukesh’s childhood dream of becoming a world champion has come true!
Photo: Eng Chin An

Some memorable quotes:

GM The Liren:

I think I played probably my best tournament of the year. I could have done better but considering the luck I had yesterday, it was a fair result to lose in the end. No regrets.

I will continue to play.

GM Gukesh D:

First I want to say a few words about my opponent. We all know who Ding is and, you know, he is one of the best players in history for many years. To see him struggle, to see how much pressure he had to deal with and the kind of fight he gave in this match. It shows what a true champion he is. In this match, they are always champions until now. Obviously the last two years he was not in good shape, but he came here. He obviously struggled in games, maybe he wasn’t the best physically. But he fought in all the games. He fought like a true champion, and I really feel sorry for Ding and his team. They put on a great show. I would like to thank my opponent first. It wouldn’t have been the same without my opponent.

I’m just living my dream!

I have to prepare my speech first. With the kind of emotions I feel right now I can talk nonsense!

I just looked at Vishy Sir and Magnus and thought it would be great to be there one day.

I wouldn’t change a single thing about my career.

I can’t thank them (my parents) enough.

We predict that Gukesh will win this match.