Game 8 of the World Chess Championship between D Gukesh and Ding Liren concluded in a draw on Wednesday, December 4, marking the fifth consecutive stalemate in their 14-game series. With the score tied at 4-4 and six rounds still to go, the two grandmasters remain evenly matched in the battle for the championship title.
The closely contested match lasted 51 moves, showcasing strategic depth from both players. Indian grandmaster D Gukesh, who played with the black pieces, declined an opportunity for an early draw after the 41st move, a decision that reflected his determination to press for a victory. Interestingly, this was the second time in the series that the 18-year-old opted to reject an early draw, a strategy that has added intrigue to the championship. However, on this occasion, Gukesh found himself in a less favorable position during the game. Despite his efforts, he eventually lacked the necessary pieces to pursue a win and ultimately shook hands with his Chinese opponent, Ding Liren.
This draw marks the sixth stalemate in the series. The 32-year-old Liren secured an early lead by winning the opening game, while Gukesh bounced back to claim victory in the third. Meanwhile, the second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and now the eighth games have all ended in draws.
Liren and Gukesh’s closely fought series highlights the razor-thin margins at the highest level of chess, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the remaining six games in this tightly contested championship.
