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.
Blog Post 632