D Gukesh started game 9 of the FIDE World Championship 2024 with the Catalan Opening and reigning champ Ding Liren responded with textbook defence that saw the game culminate in a logical conclusion when neither player makes any mistakes -- a draw. This was the pair's sixth draw in a row
A high-precision game that didn't tilt much towards either player ended in move 45 with just the two Kings left on the board. It was the kind of match from which football commentators have lifted the phrase "this is a tactical chess match of a game" in that both Ding's and Gukesh's defenses held their ground superbly and neither left any openings for the other to barge through.
There were moments when they pinned a key piece down at either end, but it inevitably ended in an exchange and left them both with similar pieces and a similar position on the board. Ding seemed to be in a bit of time trouble after taking an age during the mid-game but some quick moves towards the end pushed the time control issue to Gukesh, who spent quite a lot of time with a couple of moves that saw him run behind Ding in terms of time. But both players kept their cool and made the first-time control well in time.
Both players would say later that it was just a "high quality match", before Gukesh said, "if both players play correctly, it will end in a draw" and that just about summed it up.
Game 10 will now happen after a rest day, and it will start at 2.30 PM IST (5 PM local) on December 7 and we will be right here to cover it. You can also relive game 9 right here: