D Gukesh vs Ding Liren: What was the opening played in World Chess Championship 2024 Round 13?
India’s D Gukesh and China’s D Gukesh played out a French Defense opening pattern in the 13th round of the World Chess Championship final in Singapore on Wednesday.
Wielding the white pieces, Gukesh started with e4, to which Ding responded with e6, setting the stage for the French Defense.
Opening Moves
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. e5 Nfd7
5. Nce2 c5
6. c3 Nc6
As per Chess.com, the French Defence is one of the oldest openings in chess. The opening’s name comes from an 1834 correspondence game between the London Chess Club and the Paris Chess Club.
It is one of the most popular black responses to 1.e4. It has been a regularly used opening move since the 1800s and is one of the favorites of positional players.
However, the French Defense does come with two major concerns for black. First, the Bishop on c8 may get trapped behind black’s own pawn chain; f7, e6, d5; thus not contributing it’s full potential. Secondly, white can neutralize most of the black’s long-term plan by entering the Exchange variation.
Gukesh and Ding headed into the game level on points, after having traded wins in the last two rounds.