Chess fans, get ready to 💥! Defending champion Ding Liren of China just made a powerful statement in the opening game of the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore. Facing off against India's rising star, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju, Ding seized victory with the black pieces on Monday.
Gukesh surprised everyone by opening with his e-pawn, but Ding was unshaken, responding with the classic French Defense. 🎯 The mind games began early! While Gukesh took several breaks, Ding stayed glued to the board, plotting his every move with laser focus.
Ding's queenside counterplay started to shine as he turned the tides against Gukesh's aggressive kingside attack. Unfortunately for Gukesh, a couple of missteps in the middle game proved costly. Ding's precision was on point, giving him multiple positional advantages that left Gukesh with no way back. 🚫
After an intense four-hour battle, Ding secured the first decisive win in an opening game of a World Championship match since Vishy Anand faced Veselin Topalov back in 2010! 🏆 This victory also marks Ding's first classical chess win since January 27, when he bested Max Warmerdam at the Tata Steel Masters.
"This was his first World Championship, and he might have been nervous, so I played something unusual, which I hadn't played for a long time," Ding shared after the match.
"Obviously, it was not a great game by me. It all depended on alertness. I think it was just a tactical oversight. It can happen," Gukesh reflected in the post-match press conference.
The showdown continues tomorrow, with Ding wielding the white pieces. Stay tuned for more epic chess action! ♟️🔥
Reference(s):
Ding Liren defeats Gukesh Dommaraju in World Chess Championship opener
cgtn.com
