FIDE World Chess Championship 2024: Gukesh and Ding Liren Clash in Decisive Game 14

The FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 has reached its climax as challenger Gukesh Dommaraju and reigning champion Ding Liren prepare to face off in the final classical game of the tournament. Game 14, scheduled for December 12, will be played at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, with the score currently tied at 6.5-6.5 after a tense draw in Game 13.

In Game 13, Gukesh, playing with the white pieces, created significant pressure but was unable to capitalize on his advantage. Ding Liren’s solid defense and remarkable endgame skills ensured the game ended in a draw, keeping the championship wide open. The draw has set the stage for a dramatic conclusion in Game 14, where Ding will have the white pieces and Gukesh will play with black.

If Game 14 ends in a draw, the championship will proceed to rapid tiebreaks starting on December 13. The tiebreak format includes a series of faster time controls, starting with a four-game playoff where each player has 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move. If no winner is determined, the games will become progressively faster, culminating in single games with a three-minute time control and a two-second increment per move until a champion is crowned.

The match has been closely watched globally, with fans in India able to catch the live streaming on FIDE and Chess.com’s Twitch and X (formerly Twitter) handles. The outcome of Game 14 will decide whether Ding Liren retains his title or if Gukesh becomes the youngest player ever to claim the World Chess Championship.

The final game promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the hard-fought match, with both players eager to secure a victory and avoid the pressure of rapid tiebreaks. The chess community is on the edge of their seats as these two grandmasters prepare for their final classical showdown.