D Gukesh vs Ding Liren (Photo Credit: @FIDE_chess on X)

NEW DELHI: The World Chess Championship match between the defending champion Ding Liren of China and the youngest-ever challenger, D Gukesh of India, witnessed another intense battle in the seventh game on Tuesday.
Despite Gukesh’s promising position and significant advantage, the game ended in a draw after a marathon five hours and 22 minutes of play.
D Gukesh Vs Ding Liren, Game 7: As it Happened
The stalemate left both players tied at 3.5 points each, with four more points required to clinch the championship. The game saw a total of 72 moves before the players agreed to a draw.

Gukesh, playing with the white pieces, gained a substantial advantage in the opening and middle game stages.
He employed a surprise move on the seventh turn, catching Ding off guard and securing a preferable position. Gukesh exerted pressure through the centre and obtained a dangerous passed pawn, further bolstered by the advantage of the bishop pair.
However, despite his promising position, Gukesh missed an opportunity to capitalize on his advantage, allowing Ding to claw his way back into the game.
Ding’s tenacity and resourceful play enabled him to defend resiliently, even when left with limited time on the clock.
The game reached a critical juncture on the 40th move, where Ding lost a pawn, but Gukesh’s subsequent moves were not optimal, allowing Liren to gradually equalize the position. As the pawns were traded off, Gukesh was left with a lone bishop, leading to the eventual draw.
The seventh game highlighted the intense battle between the two players, with Gukesh displaying his opening prowess and Ding showcasing his defensive resilience.
Despite the draw, the match remains finely poised, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion in the remaining games.