World Championship: Ding Liren bounces back in Game 12 again
Ding Liren struck back in Game 12 of FIDE World Championship Match for the second consecutive year. Last time, he did it against Ian Nepomniachtchi and went on to win the match, become the World Champion. This time, he did it to level the score. He revealed a few things he did to make a comeback. He slept early, got himself energized, spent a bit of time in the player's lounge to ensure he has enough energy for the critical moment. The reigning and defending champion, also changed his appearance, something with his hair. He admitted to getting caught by surprise in the opening, found some ideas to pose problems for his opponent. Richard Rapport sent him a file named strike back, and Ding Liren made it happen. His mom reminded him what he did last time and instilled confidence in him that he can do it again. Tomorrow is the last rest day. Game 13 starts on Wednesday, 11th December at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Eng Chin An
"It might be the best game I have played in recent times"
"It's by chance. Yes, yesterday was a difficult game to deal with since I was much better at one point. I just spent too little time during critical moment and spoiled a very good position. But after I just continued the normal routine - have dinner and sleep earlier, be refreshed for this important game." - Ding Liren on how does he manage to bounce back repeatedly after suffering a tough loss at the World Championship Matches.
"Obviously it's not pleasant to lose this game but yesterday I could have also gone either way. So I guess it's fine. At least the score is still tied. There are two more games remaining. So yeah let's see." - D Gukesh on suffering a loss after gaining a lead yesterday.
"Last night, I guess I slept well. I slept earlier. It gave me a lot of energy. Also, today I took a cup of coffee before the game which helped me feel much more energetic. Also, I spent some time in the player's lounge, to take some snacks, to rest a little bit, to maintain the energy level during the critical moment. Here (after 22...Bg5) I did my last important long think. If I play 23.h4 I might spoil this very good position... I just put pressure on my opponent throughout the whole game, did not slip like last game." - Ding Liren on how he composed himself after his loss yesterday and strike back today.
It's a very important twelfth game. It might be the best game I played in recent times. - Ding Liren
Ding Liren - Gukesh: 1-0
D Gukesh played 1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 d4 well either he wanted to play mind games against the world champion who went 2...d4 in the previous game or he was confident enough that he can handle imbalanced position unlike his opponent yesterday. It turned out to be not a good idea. One should not forget what Ding Liren used to be, before he won the world title.
"I thought I was quite comfortable out of the opening. Then I guess after 17.Qd2 I was really not sure what to do. 17...Nc5 18.d4 Nd3 19.d5 I thought was tricky for me. So I was thinking what else to do to stop d4, it's not that easy. 17...Bg6 was a mistake because I missed 18.d4 exd4 19.Bf4. After 18...e4 19.Ng1 it's already a bit difficult." - D Gukesh. He added, "I was prepared for a few moves. I didn't really exactly remember all the details but yeah I was aware of this position."
"After 23.Nf4 I realized that my position is much much better. Before this, after 15.Nb5 I am very optimistic about my chances.
I am very happy to play 15.Nb5 Bf5 16.Rad1 Nd7 this idea came as a surprise to me because he wants to play either Nc5 or Bf6. Here I don't know where to put the queen - d2 or c3. Maybe here I don't know 17.Qc3 Bf6 18.d4 exd4 19.Nfxd4 Bg6 seems White is better. After 15...Bf5, my rooks are well-placed in the center. They control two open lines after Qc3, d4 break. One of his rooks is passive on b8, queen not so ideally placed on d8.
...this move 13...Rb8 came as a surprise for me. I was expecting 13...Qd7 I am going to play 14.Qb3 Rad8 if he can put his queen on c8, I think his position is very solid. Maybe I can take here 15.Qxb7 Rb8 16.Qa6 Rxb2 my calculation stops here. I don't know if White is better or not.
Here is another critical moment. Maybe he can play 14...Nd4 15.Bxd4 exd4 to change the structure. I have maybe 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.Rxe4 c5 maybe slightly easier to play for White... Maybe I should play 14.Nb5 already to stop Nd4." - Ding Liren.
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Every game starts at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. There is a rest day after every three games.
