Game 8 of the 2024 World Chess Championship was another exciting affair, with Ding going close to winning, and Gukesh finding the save. The first critical moment came on move 22, when Gukesh, as black, played 22 ... b5. At the press conference after the game, he thought he was almost winning in the position, and Ding seemed to be in a lot of trouble. Ding quickly decided to give up the a pawn a few moves later, but confessed that had been based in a miscalculation! However he did get a lot of piece play for the pawn, and after he found 28.Qe1! he was back in the game. So much so, that a few moves later he won an exchange for a pawn, and had all the winning chances. In the rush to time control the position was repeated (to save time on the clock), but surprisingly it was Gukesh who varied. The decision by Ding to eliminate one of Gukesh's dangerous queenside pawns seemed sensible, but with accurate play the game ended in a draw.
The score after 8 games is now 4-4. Each draw puts pressure on Gukesh 'to do something', although if the match goes to tie-breaks, youth may be a factor. Certainly Ding is looking a lot more energetic than in recent months (at the board at least), and the fact he has avoided the fate that a lot of pundits predicted (including myself), may give him confidence going into the last 6 games.
FIDE World Championship Match 2024 Singapore SGP (8), 4.12.2024
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