World Chess Championship 2024: D Gukesh Beats Ding Liren in Round 3 for His Crucial First Win

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World Chess Championship 2024: In a crucial Round 3 of the world title match, D Gukesh secured his first victory of the match, levelling the score at 1.5-1.5 against China's Ding Liren.

The game, played on November 27, 2024, saw Gukesh win after Ding ran out of time following 37 intense moves, marking a pivotal moment in the series. Gukesh, playing with the white pieces, started the game with an aggressive opening that set the tone for the match.

His quick-fire moves and confidence on the board took Ding Liren by surprise, leaving him in a defensive position. The Indian Grandmaster's decision to go for early exchanges and tactical manoeuvres saw him gain a slight advantage early on, and by the middle of the game, Gukesh was in a commanding position.

As the game progressed, the tension mounted. Ding, though a seasoned player and former World Chess Championship challenger, struggled with time management. By move 31, he had less than two minutes left on his clock, while Gukesh still had over 30 minutes to make his next moves. Despite making some solid moves, including capturing a couple of Gukesh's pieces, Ding was unable to keep pace with the time pressure, leading to his eventual time loss.

The turning point came when Ding's time dwindled down in the final stages. As Gukesh pressed on, with well-calculated moves like Bh3 and the capture of several critical pieces, Liren found himself forced to play without full consideration, a situation that inevitably led to his downfall. The final move sequence saw Gukesh maintain a tight grip on the game, culminating in Ding's time expiration.

After the victory, an elated Gukesh expressed satisfaction with his performance, saying, "It feels great. My play today was even better, I feel good at the board, and I just managed to outplay my opponent, which is always nice."

This win marks a crucial moment in the World Championship series, as Gukesh now has the momentum heading into the rest day before Round 4 on November 29. The match is now tied, and the young Indian Grandmaster has put himself in a strong position to challenge for the title. With the scores level, the stage is set for a high-stakes continuation of this historic World Championship encounter.