Ding Liren and D Gukesh Teeter on Brink of Historic Tie as World Chess championship Hangs in Balance

Mumbai, April 27 - The World Chess Championship (WCC) is at a precipice, with two games remaining in the duel between Chinese world champion Ding Liren and Indian challenger D Gukesh. As the match hangs in the balance, fans are left wondering whether losing five games will be too much for Gukesh to overcome.

With the score currently 6-5 in Ding's favour, a sixth loss could prove catastrophic for the Indian player, as would any further losses. In fact, only two players have managed to win WCC matches despite losing five career games - Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen. Carlsen, however, achieved this feat after carefully conserving his energy over 56 games.

Gukesh has already drawn numerous comparisons with previous world champions due to his remarkable comeback in the game against Ding Liren. However, unlike those players before him who have managed to regain the title following a few losses, Gukesh will be facing a more challenging task this time around.

According to historical data and past trends in WCC matches, if the score remains tied after 14 games (either through draws or one win for each player), rapid tiebreaks are scheduled. The players who manage their nerves better in these critical situations are likely to have an advantage over their opponents.

Looking back at previous WCC matches can provide some insight into the possibilities of success. In 2006, Vladimir Kramnik defeated Sergey Topalov after a draw-studded game. Two years later, Viswanathan Anand outwitted Topalov from ahead in the endgame after an aggressive opening. And most recently, Ding Liren succeeded in retaining his crown with great finesse.

However, if history teaches us anything, then our current knowledge would advise that both players who trailed G9 (Game 9) later went on to win - Kramnik against Kasparov and Topalov against Anand in 2006. And similarly, those behind an unbridgeable gap at the end of seven decisive games (as seen during their respective matches with Leko – Kramnik against Leko and Gelfand against Anand) managed to pull off victory.

On Wednesday, Ding Liren will be playing white while Gukesh has got to draw first blood on Thursday.