DAMAGE CONTROL BY GUKESH FOR DRAW

After wobble in middle period, Indian GM maintains calm to save Game 5 with white pieces against Liren

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

THE press conference remains an important tool not only to gauge what the players feel. It remains the only place to know what the players are happy to talk about.

By this measure alone, the five-game old World Championship tussle between D Gukesh and Ding Liren is already fascinating. While Gukesh keeps his cards close to his chest, the world champion is more open and willing to be honest.

One admission from the Chinese 32-year-old even brought out a subtle change of expression from the Indian. When it was put to the former that he did have an advantage in the fifth game of the Championship, he was frank in admitting, 'I didn't realise I had some advantage, something to improve in the next round'.

That was the theme on Saturday, when Gukesh, with white pieces, made the opening move. All the definitive action, leading up to Saturday evening, had come when he had White so anticipation was bubbling a good few hours ahead of the game.