Gukesh and Ding Liren will have all to play for in the 2024 World Chess Championship when they meet on Thursday (December 12) in the last and 14th game of the competition after the 13th match ended in a draw. With just one left, the two players are level on 6.5 points each.

The equation for the last game is simple, as it is a winner-takes-all match. For those unversed, a player has to get to 7.5 points to be crowned champion, and anyone who can claim a win tomorrow will get to that mark in what is set to be a nail-biting final.

Looking to be crowned world champions for a second year in a row, Ding has the advantage as he will play game 14 with white pieces. Meanwhile, Gukesh has the chance to create history and become the youngest world champion in history.

The 14th game will a high-pressure clash with everything to play for both players and a draw is a likely result. If the final game also ends in a stalemate, this will leave the scores level at 7-7. In this scenario, the two players will play a tie-break on Friday (December 13), which will start with a rapid tie-break

While the normal matches give each player two hours each to make their first 40 moves and 30 minutes for the rest of the match, in a rapid tiebreak, both players will play some intense games with four matches of 15 minutes (10-second increment) each. The point system will remain similar, as the winner gets one point, and a draw means both players earn 0.5 each.

The first player to achieve 2.5 points will be declared world champion.

In case this ends in a 2-2 draw, Ding and Gukesh will play each other in a mini rapid match. In this they will play two games of 10 minutes (5-second increment). Any player who can get 1.5 points (one win, one draw will win). If this also ends level, the two players will go head-to-head in a blitz match of two matches of three minutes (2-second increment) each.

In case the two players still fail to break the deadlock, they will play each other in a match with no time limit until a winner is found.

Ding Liren took the lead after winning the first match while the second match ended in a draw. Gukesh level scored in the third game before the two players played seven draws in a year. However, the streak was broken by the 18-year-old Indian star as he took a decisive lead by winning game 11 but the defending champion bounced back immediately to secure victory in game 12 before another draw in game 13.

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