Hey everyone, we’re back with another live blog. Game 6 of the FIDE World Chess Championship is happening today, (Sunday, December 1). Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh is set to face China’s Ding Liren with the match tied at 2.5-2.5. Gukesh is looking to break the deadlock and take the lead. Stay tuned to Outlook for all the live updates and moves.

The D Gukesh vs Ding Liren, FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 game 6 is set to start at 2:30 PM IST at the Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.

We’ll provide all the live updates right here. But for those who wish to watch it live, the D Gukesh vs Ding Liren FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 match will be streamed on FIDE’s social media handles (YouTube, Twitch), as well as chess.com’s YouTube and Twitch channels. It will not be telecast on any TV channel in India. But you can watch it live here.

Results so far

Game 1 - November 25, 2024 - Ding Liren beat Gukesh

Game 2 - November 26, 2024 - Draw

Game 3 - November 27, 2024 - Gukesh beat Ding Liren

Rest Day - November 28, 2024

Game 4 - November 29, 2024 - Draw

Game 5 - November 30, 2024 - Draw

Score line - 2.5-2.5

Former world champion Magnus Carlsen has expressed disappointment in the performance of India's D Gukesh at the ongoing World Chess Championship.

“Gukesh has generally not impressed me so far. Ding has probably done a little bit better than we had thought. Well, we didn’t expect much (before the start of the world chess championship). But Gukesh has probably been a little bit worse,” said Magnus Carlsen in a recap video on the Take Take Take app.

In game 5, Gukesh made a blunder in the mid-game, overlooking a rook exchange in his quest for a more aggressive opening, which allowed Ding to gain the upper hand. One wrong move there, and it could have been the end for Gukesh. But he held his nerve brilliantly, counter-attacked with precision, and calculated his way back into the game.

But, oh boy, he impressed. From a losing position, he managed to secure a draw. Now, the young challenger’s record stands at one loss, one win, and one draw.

The 2024 World Chess Championship match between D. Gukesh and Ding Liren will consist of 14 classical games. The first player to reach 7.5 points will be crowned World Champion. If the match ends in a tie after all 14 games, a tiebreak will be held the following day to determine the winner.

Each game will have a time control of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remaining moves, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move 41.

Asked what he feels about the match situation after five games, Gukesh says at the post-game PC of Game 5: "Still too early. Considering I was trailing after the first game, nice to be here. Lot more important games to come. We're not even halfway there." 

Ding Liren opens with 1.d4, and D. Gukesh responds with Knight to f3. This leads to a d4 opening, with Ding moving his queen's pawn first, marking the third distinct opening in as many games with white for Ding in this Championship.

The game quickly picks up pace with a series of moves. Ding develops his bishop to f4, while Gukesh brings out his knight to f6. The board opens up earlier than in previous matches, promising an exciting battle ahead.

For the third game in the series, Ding Liren is playing with the white pieces. Analyzing his last two games with the white pieces, with a first-move advantage, the Chinese player has tried different plans, but he hasn't succeeded in getting a clear plus. 

D Gukesh playing with the black pieces, has proven himself to be resilient and adaptive; this third game as white against Ding is going to be an interesting battle.

Whoa, talk about a fast start. Ding Liren and D Gukesh are racing through their opening moves like it’s a blitz game. Ding’s clock barely ticked four minutes, and Gukesh is just shy of six as they breeze into move 11.

The young Indian is stacking his pawns to claim the center like a boss, setting up an intriguing battle on the board. Buckle up; this one’s heating up fast.

Ding (White) vs Gukesh (Black)

1. d4 - Nf6

2. Bf4 - d5

3. e3 - e6

4. Nf3 - c5

5. c3 - c5

6. Bb5+ - Nc6

7. Bxc6+ - bxc6

8. Bxd6 - Qxd6

9. Qa4 - O-O

10. Qa3 - Ne4

11. Nfd2 - e5

12. Nxe4 - dxe4

13. Qxc5 - Qg6

14. Nd2 - Qxg2

15. O-O-O - Qxf2

16. dxe5 - Rb8

The game is speeding along. Many pieces have already been taken off the board. Ding Liren captured Black’s light-squared bishop with his knight, and both players have castled, Ding choosing a long castle, while Gukesh opted for the standard short castle on the queen side.

After sitting with his hands on his head for a moment, Gukesh seems to be deep in thought, reflecting on his position as the game progresses.

Gukesh strategically moves his bishop, ensuring his rooks stay safe, prompting Ding to respond quickly. Ding shifts his rook to d2 and pressures Gukesh's queen, forcing it back to f3. He then moves his other rook to e1, creating further tension on the board.

These moves have given Ding a slight advantage, with AI analysis suggesting a 23.9% chance of victory for him, compared to 18.1% for Gukesh. The evaluation bar also slightly favors Ding, showing a 0.1-point edge for White.

Ding (White) vs Gukesh (Black)

1. d4 - Nf6

2. Bf4 - d5

3. e3 - e6

4. Nf3 - c5

5. c3 - c5

6. Bb5+ - Nc6

7. Bxc6+ - bxc6

8. Bxd6 - Qxd6

9. Qa4 - O-O

10. Qa3 - Ne4

11. Nfd2 - e5

12. Nxe4 - dxe4

13. Qxc5 - Qg6

14. Nd2 - Qxg2

15. O-O-O - Qxf2

16. dxe5 - Rb8

17. Nc4 - Be6

18. Rd2 - Qf3

19. Re1 - Bxc4

20. Qxc4 - Qf5

Ding Liren is lounging comfortably in the relaxation area, casually resting in a cozy chair, while Gukesh seems deep in thought, alternating between resting his head in his hands and crossing his arms with his eyes shut in deep contemplation.

It's been 10 minutes since Ding left the board, as the Indian challenger ponders his next move.

Gukesh is sitting with his hands on his head.

Vishwanathan Anand shares his thoughts on the ongoing match, highlighting Gukesh's potential but also noting that he needs to be more precise. However, Anand appreciates how the young Indian player is pushing the limits of his game.

As for Ding Liren, the reigning champion, Anand commends his solid performance, emphasizing that the Chinese Grandmaster is maintaining a strong and steady approach in the championship.

Vishy Anand speaks on how the World Chess Championship has played out so far after Game 5 ended in a draw yesterday: "Contrasting approaches. Ding is very, very solid with white. It's not like his ideas are lacking venom. But not taking a lot of risk yet.

"Gukesh pushing a bit more. But every once in a while he stumbles. Yesterday, practically a mircale he got away. Gukesh putting more pressure, but need to be more exact."

All the minor pieces have been exchanged, leading to a rook endgame, with the queens still on the board.

Ding Liren has been in deep thought for over half an hour now as he prepares for move 21.

After a 40-minute wait, Ding Liren moves his queen forward to capture Gukesh's pawn on c6. Gukesh takes just 10 seconds to respond, seizing Ding’s e-pawn with his own queen. Now, Ding is deep in thought again.

The evaluation bar shifts slightly, now favoring Ding with a 0.3 advantage. AI predictions show a growing disparity, giving him a 32.9% chance of victory, compared to 12.8% for Gukesh.

Gukesh pushes his pawn to g5, earning a nod of approval from Vishy Anand, who calls it "nice," acknowledging the thoughtful nature of the move. But Ding Liren isn’t backing down.

He quickly shifts his queen to d5, showing a clear intention to hunt down Gukesh’s queen and wrest control of the game. Ding's determined approach emphasizes his tactical prowess, with both players on edge as the battle intensifies.

Ding (White) vs Gukesh (Black)

1. d4 - Nf6

2. Bf4 - d5

3. e3 - e6

4. Nf3 - c5

5. c3 - c5

6. Bb5+ - Nc6

7. Bxc6+ - bxc6

8. Bxd6 - Qxd6

9. Qa4 - O-O

10. Qa3 - Ne4

11. Nfd2 - e5

12. Nxe4 - dxe4

13. Qxc5 - Qg6

14. Nd2 - Qxg2

15. O-O-O - Qxf2

16. dxe5 - Rb8

17. Nc4 - Be6

18. Rd2 - Qf3

19. Re1 - Bxc4

20. Qxc4 - Qf5

21. Qxc6 - Qxe5

22. Qd5 - Qe7

23. Qd6 - Qg5

24. Qd5 - Qe7

25. Qd6 - Qg5

26. Qd5 - Qh4

27. Red1 - g6

28. Qe5 - Rbe8

He’s moved his rook to e8, aiming to drive Ding’s queen away. However, there’s little change in the engine’s evaluation or the AI’s assessment.

Gukesh has asserted his psychological dominance by rejecting the draw, but will Ding be able to capitalize on it?

In the last three moves, Ding continues to push for a queen exchange, but Gukesh remains firm, keeping his queen out of danger.

With less than 30 minutes remaining, Gukesh appears to be feeling the pressure. Both hands on his head, he’s deep in thought, struggling to find a way forward in this position.

Ding (White) vs Gukesh (Black)

1. d4 - Nf6

2. Bf4 - d5

3. e3 - e6

4. Nf3 - c5

5. c3 - c5

6. Bb5+ - Nc6

7. Bxc6+ - bxc6

8. Bxd6 - Qxd6

9. Qa4 - O-O

10. Qa3 - Ne4

11. Nfd2 - e5

12. Nxe4 - dxe4

13. Qxc5 - Qg6

14. Nd2 - Qxg2

15. O-O-O - Qxf2

16. dxe5 - Rb8

17. Nc4 - Be6

18. Rd2 - Qf3

19. Re1 - Bxc4

20. Qxc4 - Qf5

21. Qxc6 - Qxe5

22. Qd5 - Qe7

23. Qd6 - Qg5

24. Qd5 - Qe7

25. Qd6 - Qg5

26. Qd5 - Qh4

27. Red1 - g6

28. Qe5 - Rbe8

29. Qg3 - Qh5

30. Qf3 - Qa5

31. a3 - Qb5

32. Rd4

Ding shifts his rook to d2, increasing the pressure on Gukesh's queen. Though a repetition offer is possible, it would take a very cautious Ding to accept it. He’s currently in a much stronger position.

For the first time in the match, Gukesh offers a queen trade. Will Ding decide to accept it?

Ding (White) vs Gukesh (Black)

1. d4 - Nf6

2. Bf4 - d5

3. e3 - e6

4. Nf3 - c5

5. c3 - c5

6. Bb5+ - Nc6

7. Bxc6+ - bxc6

8. Bxd6 - Qxd6

9. Qa4 - O-O

10. Qa3 - Ne4

11. Nfd2 - e5

12. Nxe4 - dxe4

13. Qxc5 - Qg6

14. Nd2 - Qxg2

15. O-O-O - Qxf2

16. dxe5 - Rb8

17. Nc4 - Be6

18. Rd2 - Qf3

19. Re1 - Bxc4

20. Qxc4 - Qf5

21. Qxc6 - Qxe5

22. Qd5 - Qe7

23. Qd6 - Qg5

24. Qd5 - Qe7

25. Qd6 - Qg5

26. Qd5 - Qh4

27. Red1 - g6

28. Qe5 - Rbe8

29. Qg3 - Qh5

30. Qf3 - Qa5

31. Rd4 - Qe2

32. R1d2 - Qf3

After the queens are exchanged, Ding recaptures with his pawn, while Gukesh pushes his pawn to f5, connecting his pawn structure in front of his king.

Ding (White) vs Gukesh (Black)

1. d4 - Nf6

2. Bf4 - d5

3. e3 - e6

4. Nf3 - c5

5. c3 - c5

6. Bb5+ - Nc6

7. Bxc6+ - bxc6

8. Bxd6 - Qxd6

9. Qa4 - O-O

10. Qa3 - Ne4

11. Nfd2 - e5

12. Nxe4 - dxe4

13. Qxc5 - Qg6

14. Nd2 - Qxg2

15. O-O-O - Qxf2

16. dxe5 - Rb8

17. Nc4 - Be6

18. Rd2 - Qf3

19. Re1 - Bxc4

20. Qxc4 - Qf5

21. Qxc6 - Qxe5

22. Qd5 - Qe7

23. Qd6 - Qg5

24. Qd5 - Qe7

25. Qd6 - Qg5

26. Qd5 - Qh4

27. Red1 - g6

28. Qe5 - Rbe8

29. Qg3 - Qh5

30. Qf3 - Qa5

31. Rd4 - Qe2

32. R1d2 - Qf3

33. R1d2 Qf3

34. Kc2 - Qxf4

35. exf4 - f5

36. h4 - e3

37. Re2 - Re7

38. Kd3 - Rfe8

39. h5 - gxh5

40. Rd5 - h4

With 40 moves completed, both players now receive an additional 30 minutes on their clocks, along with a 30-second increment per move starting from the 41st move. This extra time could prove crucial as the game enters a more strategic phase, where every decision carries significant weight.

As expected, Game 6 of the World Chess Championship 2024 ends in a draw. After rejecting the first three-fold repetition, Gukesh ultimately agrees to a draw through the same repetition. What an intriguing match!

Ding Liren: "Sometimes I play White pieces like Black. This time I tried to push for an advantage in the opening. Last time, also in Game 6, I won beautiful game in the London System, so this time I wanted to repeat that success."

Indian challenger D Gukesh held defending champion Ding Liren of China to a draw with black pieces in an intense sixth game of the World Chess Championship to remain level on points in Singapore on Sunday. Read the full match report HERE