Ding won the first game as Black from a French Defence. A good omen because
Alekhine won game one as Black with a French Defence against Capablanca in 1927.
In this game Ding has the White pieces. Does he press v a shell-shocked Gukesh
or does he play it calmly and let Gukesh do the pressing in an effort to tie the match.
First more news from around the Chess World.
Alekhine beats Capablanca to win the world title.
Oh No. I knew I should never have mentioned Alekhine v Capablanca 1927.
Russ move this World News to the 1927 page. I think RHP was on the net back then.
Ding Liren - D. Gukesh Game Two, World Chess Championship 2024.
1. e4 e5 {2.f4 a King's Gambit, go for it Ding...2.f4 please...} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 {4. b4 an Evans Gambit go for it Ding...2.b4 please...} 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 {Oh No. How can the kids dance to this jazz,} 5... a6 6. a4 d6 7. O-O h6 {Good. Gukesh has g5 and 0-0-0 ideas. Game on!} 8. Be3 {I never know if this is a good move or bad move. The open file for a weak pawn on e3.} 8... Be6 {I never know if this is a good move or bad move. The open file for a weak pawn on e6.} 9. a5 {Another a-pawn rush from Ding just like the last game. This is a pawn sac.} 9... Bxc4 {Black could have walked into White's prep with 9...Bb5 winning the a-pawn. Probably best to ignore it.} 10. dxc4 {You can see what is coming. The d-file is going to get opened and Queens off.} 10... O-O 11. Bxc5 dxc5 12. b3 Qxd1 13. Rfxd1 {Queens off. White plan. Ne1, f3, Nd3 and hit the c5 pawn.} 13... Rad8 {Threat 14...Rxd1+ 15.Rxd1 Nxa5 but White can play 14.Ne1 and after all that play 16.Nd3,} 14. Rdc1 {I can honestly say I would chop my arm off before playing move. (it is probably good.)} 14... Nd4 {Offering the e5 pawn. I'll show what can happen should White take it.} 15. Ne1 {The Ne1, f3 to Nd3 plan is not quite on now, if the Knight goes to d3 then Black plays Nxc2.} 15... Rd6 16. Kf1 g6 17. Rd1 {White acknowledging he has got nothing from the opening.} 17... Rfd8 {I'm liking Black, one or two wee tricks are appearing.} 18. f3 Kg7 19. Kf2 h5 {I was wanting to keep h5 free for a possible Nh5 -f4 idea.} 20. Ne2 Nc6 21. Nc3 Nd4 22. Ne2 {Maybe now 22....h4 and Nh5 but it all looks drawish.} 22... Nc6 23. Nc3 Nd4 {Gukesh will be happy with this result after the last game.}
The possible variation I mention if White played 15.Nxe5
FEN
3r1rk1/1pp2pp1/p4n1p/P1p1p3/2PnP3/1PN2N2/2P2PPP/R1R3K1 w - - 0 15
[FEN "3r1rk1/1pp2pp1/p4n1p/P1p1p3/2PnP3/1PN2N2/2P2PPP/R1R3K1 w - - 0 15"] 15. Nxe5 Nxe4 {Black can play this harpooning the Knights on e4 and e5 with a Rook.} 16. Nxe4 Rfe8 {The Harpoon - Both pieces are the same value so it is not a Pin or a Skewer, It's a Harpoon.} 17. Nxf7 {The Desperado Knight sells itself for a pawn.} 17... Kxf7 18. Nc3 Ne2+ 19. Nxe2 Rxe2 20. Rd1 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rxc2 22. Kf1 Ke6 {I'm so glad it never went this way. I hate Rook endings. Looks OK for Black, probably drawn.}
