The Drama and Suffering of the World Chess Championship

Scene: The 2024 World Chess Championship in Singapore

In the cavernous playing hall of the 2024 World Chess Championship, the atmosphere was one of both drama and tension, reminiscent of a public execution or a visit to a human zoo.

For the first time in over 130 years, neither of the players engaged in this historic match was a white man. The contestants were 32-year-old Ding Liren, the defending Chinese champion, and 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju, an Indian prodigy seeking to become the youngest world champion ever.

Game 11: A Critical Turning Point

The pivotal Game 11 began with unusual silence. Then, Ding made an extended pause, deep in thought, sparking uncertainty among the observers. His hesitation stretched on for 10 minutes, then 20 minutes, and then more. When he finally made his fifth move, he had exhausted half of his allotted time.

Gukesh, on the other hand, remained poised and composed, his demeanor a stark contrast to Ding's increasingly twitchy and erratic movements.

Time and Tension

As the game progressed, time became a crucial factor. Ding's long delays had given Gukesh a significant advantage. The engine monitoring the game showed no clear advantage, but the consensus was that if Ding could eliminate most of the pieces from the board, he would gain an edge.

However, Gukesh made several unconventional moves with his remaining knight, and Ding's time began to dwindle. Distracted and disturbed, Ding overlooked a rare queen sacrifice, ultimately leading to his resignation.

Post-Game Reflections

The aftermath of Game 11 was marked by a sense of shock and awe. Ding's blunder was an unexpected twist that significantly impacted the match. Maurice Ashley, the game moderator, described it as a "sudden and violent ending."

Ashley and FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich later downplayed any connection between chess and war or politics, despite the game's frequent use of war analogies and its historical links to international politics.

The New Champion and a Questionable Sacrifice

Despite the controversy surrounding Game 11, Gukesh ultimately emerged victorious, securing the championship title in a dramatic 14-game match. However, during the final press conference, Gukesh's comment about not remembering much from his childhood raised questions about the sacrifices he had made on his path to success.