Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren has once again defied the odds by pulling off his fourth comeback win in the past two years at the ongoing 2024 World Chess Championship. After trailing behind challenger D Gukesh, Ding was able to turn the tables and force a tie-break with two games remaining. Despite fears of a "massacre", Ding has proven to be a formidable opponent, with elite grandmasters praising his resilience and declaring this game to be his best in two years.
Gukesh and Ding Liren: A Clash of Chess Titans
Indian chess prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh and Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren have captivated the chess world with their remarkable performances at the ongoing 2024 World Chess Championship. Gukesh, a rising star, has stunned the field with his brilliance, while Ding Liren has showcased his exceptional resilience and fighting spirit.
Background:
Dommaraju Gukesh, born in 2006, is one of the most promising young chess talents in the world. He became the youngest player ever to cross the 2700 Elo rating in 2022. Ding Liren, on the other hand, is China's top-rated chess player and was crowned the Chess Olympiad champion in 2018.
Championship Battle:
In the 2024 World Chess Championship, Gukesh and Ding Liren faced off in the quarterfinals. Gukesh took an early lead, winning the first two games. However, Ding Liren fought back, scoring consecutive victories in the fourth and fifth games to tie the match.
In the sixth game, Gukesh appeared to be in control and close to securing a semifinal berth. However, Ding Liren once again displayed his resilience by capturing Gukesh's queen and turning the game around. The match eventually went to a tie-break, which Ding Liren ultimately won.
Ding Liren's Resurgence:
Ding Liren's victory marked his fourth comeback win in the past two years at the World Chess Championship. In 2022, he overcame a 2-0 deficit against Magnus Carlsen in the semifinals before eventually losing the championship match.
Ding Liren's remarkable achievements have earned him widespread praise from elite grandmasters. Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand described Ding Liren's victory as "a sensational comeback" and "one of the greatest tournaments he's ever played."
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