World Chess Championship 2024: Schedule, Results, Winner Name, Match Dates and Time

The World Chess Championship 2024, officially known as the World Chess Championship 2024 presented by Google, is currently taking place in Singapore from November 25 to December 13, 2024. 

This championship features a match between the reigning world champion, Ding Liren of China, and the challenger, Gukesh Dommaraju of India, who is notably the youngest challenger in history at just 18 years old.

D. Gukesh won the 2024 World Chess Championship, defeating Ding Liren in the final game held on December 12, 2024. Gukesh, at just 18 years old, became the youngest world chess champion in history.

The match concluded with a score of 7.5 to 6.5 after a closely contested series of games that included two wins for each player and several draws.

Gukesh's victory is particularly significant as he is the first Indian to hold the title since Viswanathan Anand's last championship win in 2012, marking a historic moment for Indian chess.

Lets Go! pic.twitter.com/x5TXQ86rVK

— Gukesh D (@DGukesh) November 20, 2024

World Chess Championship 2024: Match Format and Structure

Format: The championship is contested in a best-of-14 games format. A player needs to score 7.5 points to win the title. Points are awarded as follows:

• Win: 1 point
• Draw: 0.5 points each
• Loss: 0 points

If the match ends in a tie after all games, tiebreak games will be played to determine the winner.

Time Control: Each player has 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment starting from move 41.

For You| World Chess Championship 2025: Gukesh vs Ding Liren; Everything You Need to Know

World Chess Championship 2024: Schedule, Match Dates and Time

The World Chess Championship 2024 is currently underway, taking place at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore from November 25 to December 13, 2024. Here’s a detailed schedule of the match dates and times:

Source: FIDE World Championship 2024

If necessary, tie-break matches will be held on December 13, starting at the same time (2:30 PM IST). 

The championship format includes a total of 14 classical games, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the champion.

This event is significant as it features two Asian players competing for the title for the first time in history and has a total prize fund of $2.5 million.

World Chess Championship 2024: Match Results

In the World Chess Championship 2024, the first game between Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju concluded with Ding Liren claiming victory. Here are the match results:

🌟 The FIDE World Championship Match 2024 is here, and it’s the epic showdown of the year! 🌟

🔥 Witness the battle between two of the finest chess minds: India’s rising star, Gukesh, and China’s legendary Grandmaster, Ding Liren. Who will claim the crown? 🤔

🏆 It’s a game of… pic.twitter.com/rgq7i1y3ur

— World Chess (@theworldchess) November 22, 2024

Match Results for November 25, 2024

Game 1:

• Result: Ding Liren (Black) defeated Gukesh Dommaraju (White)
• Moves: The game lasted 42 moves, with Gukesh resigning after reaching a lost position.
• Score: Ding Liren leads the match 1-0.

Game Highlights

• Ding employed the French Defence, a surprising choice as it is not typically his favourite opening.
• Gukesh initially had a strong position but faltered in the middle game, leading to significant inaccuracies.
• Ding capitalised on Gukesh's mistakes, particularly after Gukesh's tactical oversight on move 22.
• The match ended with Gukesh having less than a minute to make his final moves, ultimately resigning when he was down three pawns.
• This victory marks a significant moment for Ding Liren, as it is his first win in a World Championship match in over 300 days. 
• The next game is scheduled for November 26, where Gukesh will aim to level the score.

Match Results for November 26, 2024

Game 2:

• Status: Draw
• Moves: 23
• Current Score: Ding Liren leads 1.5-0.5

Game Highlights

• Ding Liren, playing with the white pieces, is looking to defend his lead against Gukesh, who is aiming to equalise the match after his loss in the first game.
• The game ended in a draw after just 23 moves, allowing Ding Liren to maintain a lead in the match with a score of 1.5 to 0.5.
• Ding Liren opened with 1.e4, a common opening that he had not used in the previous championship, indicating a strategic shift. Gukesh responded solidly, managing to neutralise Ding's early threats effectively.
• Gukesh displayed improved composure compared to Game 1, where he had succumbed to nerves. In this game, he handled Ding's opening surprises well and maintained a tight position throughout the encounter.
• The draw was agreed upon by both players through a repetition of moves, which occurred relatively early in the game. This decision was likely made by Ding to conserve energy for future games, especially considering the potential complexities of an endgame scenario.
• Gukesh expressed satisfaction with securing a draw while playing with black pieces, emphasizing that it was important for him to regain his confidence after the loss in Game 1. Ding acknowledged that he was prepared for a tougher fight in the upcoming games.

Match Results for November 27, 2024

Game 3:

• Result: Gukesh won the game after 37 moves, marking his first victory in the championship.
• Moves: 37 moves were played in the game.
• Score: 1.5-1.5

Game Highlights

• Gukesh, playing with the white pieces, opened aggressively. The game started with 1. d4 Nf6, leading to a complex position that has seen both players manoeuvring for advantage.
• Gukesh won the game, tying the match score at 1.5 points each after three games. This was a significant comeback for him after losing the first game and drawing the second.
• Gukesh opened with 1.d4, leading to a Queen's Gambit Declined setup. He played aggressively from the start, putting pressure on Ding and forcing him into deep thought early in the game.
• Gukesh's strategic play allowed him to capitalise on Ding's mistakes. The game concluded in 37 moves, with Gukesh managing to secure a winning position that led Ding to resign.
• This win marked Ding Liren's first loss in the championship, highlighting Gukesh's ability to bounce back after a tough start. The match is structured so that the first player to reach 7.5 points across 14 games will be crowned champion.
• With the series now tied, both players will continue to compete in subsequent games, adding further excitement to this historic championship featuring two Asian players for the first time in 138 years.

Match Results for November 29, 2024

Game 4:

• Result: Gukesh Dommaraju (White) defeated Ding Liren (Black)
• Moves: 29
• Score: Gukesh leads the match 6.5 - 5.5

Game Highlights

• Gukesh employed the Reti Opening, which caught Ding Liren off guard early in the game.
• The match featured intense time pressure, with Gukesh managing his time effectively while Ding struggled, leading to critical mistakes.
• A pivotal moment occurred when Ding made a blunder on move 28 with 28...Qc8, allowing Gukesh to respond with 29.Qxc6, leading to a forced resignation from Ding shortly after.
• This victory was crucial for Gukesh, marking a significant lead in the championship as he aims for his first title.

Match Results for November 30, 2024

Game 5:

• Result: Draw (0.5-0.5)
• Moves: 40
• Match Score: 2.5 - 2.5

Game Highlights

• Opening: French Defence (Exchange Variation)
• The game began with Gukesh playing 1.e4, and Ding responding with the French Defence, which he had previously employed successfully in earlier games.
  Gukesh opted for the Exchange Variation early on, which is generally considered less ambitious and more drawish.
• The queens were exchanged by move 9, leading to a simplified position.
• Despite being in a difficult position at one point, Gukesh managed to defend effectively and ultimately secure a draw through a threefold repetition of moves.
• Ding Liren expressed frustration over missing opportunities to capitalise on his advantage during the game.

Match Results for December 1, 2024

Game 6:

• Result: Draw
• Number of Moves: 46
• Score: The match score is now tied at 3-3.

Game Highlights

• The game ended in a draw by threefold repetition after 46 moves, showcasing both players' strategic depth.
• Gukesh initially had the option to agree to a draw earlier but chose to continue playing despite being in a less favorable position.
• Ding Liren took an early advantage on the clock, spending only seven minutes for his first 20 moves, while Gukesh used nearly 53 minutes.
• The game featured a complex middlegame where Ding's preparation put pressure on Gukesh, but both players navigated through critical moments.
• Ultimately, Gukesh's decision to reject an early draw was notable and demonstrated his fighting spirit, although it could have led to a disadvantageous position.

Match Results for December 3, 2024

Game 7:

• Result: Draw
• Number of Moves: 46
• Current Score: Gukesh 3.5 - 3.5 Ding Liren

Game Highlights

• The match was a tense battle lasting over five hours, showcasing both players' skills under pressure.
• Gukesh initially had a promising position but faced challenges as the game progressed.
• Ding Liren managed to salvage a draw despite being in a difficult position, demonstrating resilience and tactical awareness.
• The game ended in a draw after a series of exchanges that led to a balanced endgame, with both players agreeing to the result after 46 moves.
• This draw maintained the competitive balance in the match, with both players tied at 3.5 points each as they moved into the later stages of the championship

Match Results for December 4, 2024

Game 8:

• Result: Draw
• Number of Moves: 51
• Current Score: Gukesh 4 - 4 Ding Liren

Game Highlights

• The game featured an English Opening, with Ding Liren starting with 1.c4 and Gukesh responding with 1...e5.
• Both players demonstrated solid preparation, with Gukesh maintaining a slight time advantage early on.
• The match saw strategic maneuvering, with both players carefully considering their moves, leading to a balanced position.
• The draw was agreed upon after a series of exchanges that left both sides without significant advantages, showcasing the high level of play from both competitors.

Match Results for December 5, 2024

Game 9:

• Result: Draw
• Number of Moves: 30
• Current Score: Gukesh 5 - Ding Liren 5

Game Highlights

• The game featured a solid opening strategy from both players.
• Gukesh managed to neutralize Ding's early threats effectively.
• The draw was agreed upon through a repetition of moves, allowing both players to conserve energy for the remaining games in the series.

Match Results for December 7, 2024

Game 10:

• Result: Draw
• Number of Moves: 36
• Current Score: Gukesh 5 - Ding Liren 5

Game Highlights

• The game was played in the London System, which is known for its solid structure and flexibility.
• Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, managed to maintain a comfortable position throughout the game.
• Ding Liren appeared cautious and did not take significant risks, leading to an uneventful draw.
• This marked the seventh consecutive draw in the championship, showcasing both players' defensive strategies and high-level preparation.

Match Results for December 8, 2024

Game 11:

• Result: Gukesh wins
• Number of Moves: 58
• Score: Gukesh leads 6-5 in the match

Game Highlights

• Gukesh played with the white pieces, employing the Reti Opening, which proved to be an effective choice against Ding Liren.
• The game was marked by significant time pressure, with Gukesh needing to make 23 moves in just 21 minutes at one point, while Ding had already consumed over an hour for just five moves.
• Ding Liren, despite having more time at one stage, mismanaged his clock and ultimately blundered a piece during a critical moment of the game.
• This victory is crucial as it gives Gukesh a lead in the championship with only three games remaining, increasing the pressure on Ding Liren, the reigning world champion.

Match Results for December 9, 2024

Game 12:

• Result: Draw
• Number of Moves: 69
• Score: 6 - 6 Ding Liren

Game Highlights

• The game was highly competitive, showcasing both players' strategic depth.
• Gukesh, playing with the white pieces, aimed to secure a win to take the lead in the championship.
• The match ended in a draw after a lengthy battle in a theoretical endgame.
• Both players demonstrated resilience, with Gukesh pushing for an advantage but ultimately unable to break Ding's defenses.
• The draw meant that the championship remained tied at 6.5 points each, setting the stage for a decisive final game or potential tiebreaks.

Match Results for December 11, 2024

Game 13:

• Result: Draw
• Number of Moves: 68
• Score: 6.5-6.5

Game Highlights

• Gukesh attempted to push for a win but faced a resilient defense from Ding Liren.
• The game transitioned into a theoretical drawn endgame with two rooks and three pawns against two rooks, where Gukesh continued to press for an advantage until the position was fully drawn.
• Both players managed their time effectively, with Gukesh needing to make crucial moves under time pressure.
• This game marked the continuation of a highly competitive match, with both players having won two games each and the rest being draws.

Match Results for December 12, 2024

Game 14:

• Result: D. Gukesh
• Number of Moves: 68
• Score: Gukesh 7.5 - 6.5 Ding Liren

Game Highlights

• Gukesh capitalised on a critical error by Ding Liren to secure his victory in the final game, becoming the youngest world chess champion at just 18 years old.
• The match was closely contested throughout, with Gukesh and Ding both winning two games each in the preceding rounds, with the rest ending in draws.
• Starting with black pieces, Gukesh had to navigate carefully against Ding's aggressive style. The game was tense, reflecting the high stakes involved.
• Prior to this match, the score was tied at 6.5 points each after 13 games, leading to this decisive final game.
• Gukesh expressed overwhelming joy after his victory, marking a significant achievement in Indian chess history

Prize Fund

The total prize fund for this championship is $2.5 million, with each player earning $200,000 for each game won. In case of a tiebreak, the winner will receive $1.3 million, while the runner-up will get $1.2 million.

Also Read| Who is D Gukesh? Youngest Contender in the 2024 World Chess Championship

Who is Ding Liren? China’s World Champion Facing India's D. Gukesh in the Fight for the Title