Game 13 of the 2024 World Chess Championship turned out to be tougher than many predicted. With decisive results in the previous 2 games, I for one expected that both players would try not to take too many risks so close to the end of the match, Instead another sharp game was served up, and again Ding found himself scrambling to defend a worse position.
Gukesh tried another line against the French, and this time emerged with a small opening advantage. It was Ding's turn to play the position defensively, which Gukesh tried to exploit. However, at crucial moments both players found '2nd best' moves, which changed the evaluation of the position. Probably the most consequential choice was around move 30, where Ding;s best move was to give up the Queen for 2 rooks and hold the draw, Instead he kept the queen, which gave Gukesh a chance to increase his control of the central files. But he failed to choose the best line, and despite some small tactical threats, a fairly equal ending was reached soon after move 40. But equal does no mean drawn, and Gukesh pushed for another 20 odd moves before a draw was agreed to.
The last round is tonight (not tomorrow as I suggested the other day). Having got all my predictions for the match wrong so far, I simply suggest juts tuning in to watch it from 8pm Canberra time.
FIDE World Championship Match 2024 Singapore SGP (13), 11.12.2024
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