D. Gukesh, the young Indian chess prodigy, recently opened up about his decision not to opt for an early draw in Game 8 of the World Chess Championship against the defending champion Ding Liren on Wednesday, December 4. Although the game ultimately ended in a draw after 51 moves, Gukesh had the option to settle for a stalemate earlier on, specifically after the 41st move, when a three-fold repetition could have been agreed upon. However, the Indian grandmaster chose to continue the game, believing that he still had opportunities to fight for a win.
During the post-game press conference, Gukesh explained his reasoning, revealing that at that moment, he didn’t feel he was in a particularly precarious position. He felt confident that there were still chances for him to create problems for Liren, and he believed his position was not as dire as it might have seemed. "I would have taken the draw if I thought I was worse, but I did not. I had to be very precise, and I missed one of his resources," Gukesh admitted. Reflecting on the situation, he acknowledged that his decision to keep playing was based on a misjudgment of the position. "The position where I didn’t repeat, I didn’t think I was in much danger. I always thought that, with his weak king and my strong pawn on b3, I should play. I thought maybe I might even have some chances. But okay, yeah, it was just a misjudgment of the position."
Despite this misjudgment, Gukesh remained optimistic about his performance and credited his decision to continue the game as a reflection of his determination. He also spoke highly of his team, particularly his second, Grandmaster Grzegorz Gajewski, for their support in preparation for the championship. Gukesh praised the efforts of his entire team, acknowledging their contributions in helping him gain an advantage in the opening phases of the game. "My team, they’ve been doing a great job, not only ‘Gaju’ (Grzegorz Gajewski) but other team members as well. We managed to surprise him in the openings. I would like to thank my team, and hopefully, more interesting ideas will come," Gukesh said, reflecting on the work put in to prepare for this high-stakes match.
The draw in Game 8 was not an isolated event but part of a larger trend, as it marked the fifth consecutive draw between Gukesh and Ding Liren in the ongoing World Chess Championship. With the score now tied 4-4, the competition remains incredibly tight, with both players pushing their limits and showing impressive resilience. As the championship continues, the chess world is eagerly awaiting Game 9, scheduled for December 5, which will determine who will take the lead in this intense battle for the coveted title. Gukesh’s boldness in continuing the game despite the draw offer signals his readiness to take risks, and his strategic thinking remains a key factor as the match progresses.
