Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju has levelled the World Chess Championship final against reigning champion Ding Liren of China, winning a thrilling third game to tie the score at 1.5-1.5, Al Jazeera reports.
The 18-year-old grandmaster’s victory, secured on Wednesday after putting immense pressure on his opponent, sends the match into a crucial break on even terms.
Liren, visibly pressured, ran out of time on the clock, gifting Gukesh a crucial win and a significant boost to his confidence. The win follows a loss in the opening game on Monday, where Gukesh admitted to nerves getting the better of him in his first world championship appearance. The second game ended in a draw.
“It feels great,” Gukesh said after his victory. “The last two days I was happy with my play. My play today was even better, I feel good at the board and today I just managed to outplay my opponent, which is always nice.”
Gukesh’s performance has captivated India, a nation more traditionally known for its cricket prowess. His remarkable run to the final, held at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa, has garnered a massive following across all ages.
At just 18, Gukesh is the youngest player ever to challenge for the World Championship title. He aims to surpass Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest undisputed world champion. The 14-game match, which includes four rest days, continues, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner. If the score is tied at 7-7 after the 14 games, tie-breaks will determine the champion.
The fourth game is scheduled for Friday, following Thursday’s rest day.
