Nerves to play crucial role in Gukesh, Liren’s close finish

India’s D Gukesh (right) and China’s Ding Liren during the 12th round of the FIDE World Chess C’ship in Singapore on Monday. Pic/PTI

A handy lead has slipped through his grip but Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh will rely on his steely resolve to bounce back when he takes on enigmatic defending champion Ding Liren in the 13th game of the World Chess Championship that has been quite a roller-coaster ride for the players.

The 18-year-old Gukesh, who is the youngest challenger to the title, and the 32-year-old defending champion from China have been locked in an intriguing battle in which both have held leads for not too long. They will resume on Wednesday after a day of rest.

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The scores are currently tied at 6-6 with the first to reach 7.5 assured of the coveted crown. After squandering away a full point lead with just three games to go, the 12th round loss was heartbreaking for the young Indian and many experts believe that he will go for an aggressive approach in his last game with white pieces under Classical time control.

It won't be off the mark to say that nerves are likely to play a crucial role in the final stretch. The scores were tied 5-5 after game 10 but the last two decisive games thereafter have breathed new life into an otherwise well-contested match in which both players have had their chances.

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