Eng Chin An
WCC 2024 Round 10: A French-Like London
An interesting moment marked what was otherwise a very solid game from both GM Ding Liren and GM Gukesh D, which ended in a draw on move 36.
Lichess is providing a live stream for every day of the world championship. Make sure to tune in to our Twitch or YouTube channels for live stream coverage with our hosts GM Felix Blohberger and IM Laura Unuk, joined by a rotating panel of guests. Round 11 starts at 09:00 UTC on Sunday, December 8.
Today's round was covered by our hosts GM Felix Blohberger and IM Laura Unuk.
The annotations by GM Yannick Gozzoli can be found at the bottom of the article.
Schedule
Stream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q4B4FP_RW0
Match Score
Recap
GM Ding Liren came to today's game with some creative opening preparation in the London System, but after GM Gukesh D found an accurate plan, Ding did not go for one of the more imbalanced options and the game soon headed toward a draw.
Clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwDj75AV928
More clips at the bottom of the article.
A Potentially Interesting Game Fizzles Out
The handshake with Yin Tong Kon and GM Maurice Ashley in the background
Photo: Maria Emelianova / Chess.com
Ding seems to have a soft spot for the London System, which he has essayed in two world championships and for the second time in the 2024 World Chess Championship. Gukesh responded classically to Ding's London with Nf6 and d5, whereafter a very typical position was on the board.
The London is a world championship level opening!
Photo: Maria Emelianova / Chess.com
The first interesting point of the game came on move 5 as Ding played 5. Be2, a rare move that can be considered part of modern day engine opening preparation, where innocuous moves are tested out as surprise weapons and backed up with deep, tricky engine analysis.
Ding came to the game with some interesting preparation
Photo: Eng Chin An
Gukesh responded with the normal but not so testing 5...Bd6, and after Ding clarified the tension with 6. dxc5, a French-like position was reached as Black's light-squared bishop was hemmed in by the e6 pawn.
Gukesh had to decide which setup to go for
Photo: Eng Chin An
Gukesh then chose to play a critical plan with 9...dxc4 and 10...Nh5, asking the London bishop some important questions. Gukesh revealed in the press conference that he was concerned about 11. Ne4, which necessitated a lot of deep calculation. Instead, Ding chose the more solid 11. Bg5, noting in the press conference that he thought he had more to play for after 11...Be7, a move he did not give due consideration.
Gukesh's 10...Nh5 was a very good practical decision
Photo: Maria Emelianova / Chess.com
With 12...Nf6, Gukesh neutralized White's initiative, and the resulting endgame offered little hope for White. Indeed, even though Ding had an imbalance to play against, Gukesh's king could quickly come to f6 and there were no other weaknesses for White to even attempt to exploit.
Ding could have played for more today
Photo: Eng Chin An
The game went on for a while, but it was clear that there was not enough for White to win as Black remained solid. When the bishop endgame arose, it was time to call it a day.
A quick draw today
Photo: Maria Emelianova / Chess.com
Annotations by GM Yannick Gozzoli
Press Conference
Ding was in high spirits at today's press conference
Photo: Eng Chin An
Some memorable quotes:
GM Ding Liren:
It's not a big surprise [the score] since we are not so much different in strength. Some of the games are better for him and some of them are better or even winning for me, so it's a fair result so far.
GM Gukesh D:
It's nothing new for a chess player to be surprised in the opening.
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