After the players took an unofficial rest day in Game 10 we were given
another roller coaster ride by the players. Such was the complexity of
this game by move 16 it had already lasted longer than Game 10
Gukesh plays a well prepared opening that Ding had before and Ding spent
an hour on move 4 (!) trying to figure out a way to wreck Gukesh’s prep.
Eventually playing same move he played in the same position a few years ago.
But it was time well spent because Gukesh had nothing after 11 moves and
in trying to find something...anything...to keep the pot boiling Gukesh spent
an hour on move 11. Ding could have equalised and even obtained good chances
on move 16 Instead he either misjudged the position or got over ambitious.
Move 4 returned to haunt Ding. He blundered in a difficult position. 1-0.
Three games to go Gukesh leads 6-5. Team Ding need to unleash a weapon
with White. Three times Ding trailed Nepo in the last match and the tied it
so this match is not yet over but the odds are now fully in Gukesh’s favour.
Ding Liren - D. Gukesh Game 11, World Chess Championship 2024
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 c5 4. e3 Nf6 {After 40 minutes thought in a position he has before.} 5. a3 {An instant reply from Gukesh} 5... Bg4 {Ding now an hour behind on the clock.} 6. exd4 cxd4 7. h3 {Another instant move by Gukesh, he is still in his prep.} 7... Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Qc7 {Gukesh is slowing down. Surely not the end of his prep. Everything has been fairly normal.} 9. d3 a5 {That is a good move. Getting c5 for the b8 Knight.} 10. b5 Nbd7 {And now Gukesh goes into a huddle for one hour!} 11. g3 Nc5 {Played instantly by Ding who is now ahead on the clock.} 12. Bg2 {12 moves played and already this game has lasted longer than game 10.} 12... Nfd7 13. O-O Ne5 14. Qf4 {14...Ncxd3 15.Qxd4 Rd8 16.Qe4 and due to Black's undeveloped army White has the better chances.} 14... Rd8 {To hold the d4 pawn.} 15. Rd1 {To hold the d3 pawn.} 15... g6 {The simple 15...e6 Bishop out and 0-0 was (in hindsight) a better way to go.} 16. a4 {Freeing a3 for the Bishop or Knight and in some lines preventing Black from playing Na4 and Nc3.} 16... h5 {The idea behind g6. Bh6 is coming.} 17. b6 {Another good move from White. Opening Na3 and Nb4 ideas.} 17... Qd6 {A Queen holding both Knights, always a sweaty moment.} 18. Ba3 {Both players down to approximately 20 minutes for 21 moves.} 18... Bh6 19. Bxc5 {Taking the pressure off the d-pawn and giving the Queen the e4 square.} 19... Qxc5 {19...Bxf4 drops a Black piece.} 20. Qe4 Nc6 21. Na3 Rd7 {Extra cover for the b2 pawn. 21...Qxb7 22.Rab1 happens later.} 22. Nc2 {Threatening Rab1 Black has to take that b6 pawn before White gangs up on the a5 pawn which is bound to fall.} 22... Qxb6 23. Rab1 Qc7 24. Rb5 {The b-file and pressure on b7, White is looking very good.} 24... O-O 25. Na1 {This Knight is about to join in big time. Nb3 and from their it hits a5, d4 and Nc5.} 25... Rb8 {All hands to the pump to cover the b7 pawn.} 26. Nb3 e6 {To give the e7 square to the Rook.} 27. Nc5 {White has the winning chances here. Both players need to avoid a time trouble blunder.} 27... Re7 28. Rdb1 {Now Black had to try 28...Nb4 but with 7 minutes for 13 moves Ding played....} 28... Qc8 {A bad blunder that may lose the world championship.} 29. Qxc6 {Ding instantly resigned. He losses at least a piece in all variations.} 29... bxc6 30. Rxb8 Re8 31.Rxc8 Rxc8
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