Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh held his ground once again against reigning champion Ding Liren of China.
As their 10th game in the World Chess Championship ended in a relatively uneventful draw on Saturday. The encounter, played from a London System setup, was one of Gukesh’s most straightforward games with the black pieces. Ding Liren played conservatively, avoiding risks, and seemed content to settle for a draw.
This marked the seventh consecutive draw between the two, and the eighth overall in the championship. With both players tied at 5 points apiece, they remain 2.5 points short of the tally required to claim the title.
The game concluded after 36 moves, leaving only four more classical games in the $2.5 million championship. Should the score remain tied after 14 rounds, the title will be decided through rapid or blitz games under faster time controls.
The tournament began with Ding Liren clinching the first game, followed by Gukesh equalizing with a victory in the third. The subsequent matches have showcased intense battles but have largely ended in deadlock.