French defence

World Chess Championship: Playing with white pieces in a classical game for the last time in this match, India's D Gukesh came up with an attacking approach but reigning champion Ding Liren of China defended superbly, coming up with precise moves in a nerve-jingling time scramble, to draw the 13th and penultimate game of the World Chess Championship 2024 match here on Wednesday.

The two players are tied 6.5-6.5 going into the final game on Thursday with Ding playing with white pieces. In case the final game ends in a draw, both players will clash in a tie-breaker of shorter games that would decide the eventual winner. If Ding wins, he will continue as the 17th Classical World Champion, but if Gukesh wins, he will be the 18th Champion and the youngest ever.

Ding lived by sword once again, spending a lot of time making his calculation in the opening, as Gukesh applied the pressure, playing with positive intent to slowly create an opportunity. The 18-year-old Indian challenger had taken the upper hand in the middle game but Ding came up with precise answers to every question his opponent posted, defending resolutely to steer himself to safety.