In a preview of their upcoming World Chess Championship clash later this year, reigning champion Ding Liren and his teenage challenger from India, D Gukesh, played to a draw in the first round of the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis.
This was their first classical encounter since Gukesh secured his position as the Challenger for the World Championship title. It is also likely to be their final classical game before their World Championship showdown. Previously, Gukesh and Ding had faced each other twice in classical chess, both times at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, where Ding had won with the white pieces on both occasions.
