World Championship Game 2: Gukesh bounces back with a 23-move solid draw
The question on everyone's mind was, how will Gukesh fare in the second game after suffering a loss? He answered it quite well by playing a solid draw. At the post-game press conference he mentioned that, "We all knew that things can happen. Losing is just part of the game. So it was not a shock. We were prepared..." He is definitely strong mentally. That was evident both on the board and off it. He also added that, "Today was a good day and hopefully we will have many more good days coming." The teenager is definitely poised to bring some exciting games and a lot of determination in the next few games as he is facing the best version of the world champion, Ding Liren, which the world knew and wanted to see. Game 3 starts tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Eng Chin An
"A draw with black in a World Championship Match is always nice"
"Not so much happened in the game. My feeling went up and down. At some point, I thought I misplayed the opening preparation, I mean slightly worse in the middlegame. I am not sure if my assessment is correct or not. It might be incorrect. I think my position was passive and he had a very strong knight on d4. I realized that I analyze this kind of position with computers, white is slightly better in this pawn structure. I don't know if I am wrong or maybe there is just nothing more." - Ding Liren's thoughts on Game 2. "Well my basic idea is to play carefully and I am completely fine with a draw. I am happy with the final result. I may get something out of the opening because I remember we checked until 12.b3 and my second said, it's 0.2 according to the computer... Maybe I had some chances at some point, I don't know." - The world champion's words on if he is okay with a draw.
"A draw with black in a World Championship Match is always nice and it's too early. We still have a long match ahead." - D Gukesh on whether he is happy with today's result.
Ding Liren - Gukesh: 0.5-0.5
The Classical rated game before the World Championship Match, between Ding Liren and D Gukesh was at Sinquefield Cup in August this year. It witnessed a similar Italian Opening. The world champion decided to put his knight on c3 this time, instead of his pawn there.
"It's not a huge surprise. It's one of the topical lines recently. I was just trying to recollect what I had seen and I think I got a fairly comfortable position. White always has a very very slight edge but if Black is careful which I was, I don't think there is anything" - D Gukesh on his opponent's choice of opening.
"Rdc1 is an idea in this kind of pawn structure but in the game, I am not sure if it is a good move. I don't think it is a good move. I don't know how to develop as he has such a strong knight on d4. Then I move my rook back to d1, that means maybe I am not happy with 14.Rdc1" - The world champion on spending a lot of time behind 14.Rdc1 and its aftermath. Maurice Ashley mentioned that he was discussing a line with Vishy Anand 14.Ne1 Rxd1 15.Rxd1 Nxa5 16.Nd3 Nd7 17.Nd5 c6 18.Ne7+ Kh7 19.Nb2 and computer says White has slight edge. Gukesh mentioned that he stopped after 16...Nd7. He found the variation Maurice showed to be interesting. The game ended in a draw after nine more moves as neither side had an opportunity to make a progress in the double rook and double knight endgame.
"I think it will be a big fight because he is a point down and he has white pieces. So I am ready for a fight." - Ding Liren on what he expects in Game 3. His opponent Gukesh answered, "I will just try to play a good game because the only thing you can do to try and win is to play good games."
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Schedule
Every game starts at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. There is a rest day after every three games. Game 3 is on Wednesday 27th November 2024.
