18-year-old chess star, D. Gukesh, just pulled off a massive win in Game 11 of the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore. He beat defending champion Ding Liren and now leads the match with 6 points to Ding’s 5.
There are only three games left in this exciting 14-game series, and Gukesh is on fire! If he keeps it up, he could become the youngest World Champion ever!
Why This Win is a Big Deal
To set the scene, the competition has been tough. Out of the 11 games played so far, 8 ended in draws, with only two wins for Gukesh and one for Ding. Game 11 was a turning point. Both players entered the day with five points each, knowing that any mistake at this stage could cost them the championship. Gukesh’s victory gives him a significant advantage, putting him just 1.5 points away from the coveted 7.5 needed to claim the title.
Turning Point Analysis
Just so you know about the game opening, Gukesh’s strategic choice of the Reti Opening paid off brilliantly. It was a bold move that caught Ding off guard, forcing him into deep thought early on. Ding, the more experienced player, burned precious time, spending 38 minutes on his fourth move and another 22 on his second.
With only 7 minutes and 14 seconds left on the clock, Ding made a critical move by playing Qc8, which turned out to be a blunder. The better move would have been to play Nb4, supported by the a-pawn, it would have saved his knight as well as blocked Gukesh’s powerful double rooks.
However, Qc8 blunder allowed Gukesh to play a brilliant move Qxc6 capturing c6 knight with his queen!
At this point, Ding cannot capture the queen with the b-pawn because Rxb8 is incomming which captures back the queen by simply creating a pin to the king! and Ding ends up losing the knight anyway.
The Post-game Press Conference
In the post-game press conference, Gukesh admitted to losing his cool at one point but credited his mental conditioning coach, Paddy Upton, for helping him stay grounded. “During the game, I achieved exactly what I wanted out of the opening but then went crazy for a while. I thought I was losing but realized I still had chances. Suddenly, I won the game,” Gukesh said, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster.
What’s Next?
With three games left, Gukesh is getting extremely close to making history. However, he knows the fight isn’t over yet. Ding, ranked World No. 2 in rapid chess, could still force a tiebreak. But for now, Gukesh leads, and the momentum is in his favor. As he takes the lead, India eagerly waits to see if he can bring home the big prize.
Inspired by Gukesh’s journey? At New England Chess School, we help kids learn, grow, and play with confidence. Join us and let your child take the first step toward becoming a champion!