[Event "FIDE World Championship 2023"] [Site "Astana"] [Date "2023.04.13"] [Round "4"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2788"] [BlackElo "2795"] [Annotator "Europe-Echecs"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2023.04.09"] [EventType "match"] [EventCountry "KAZ"] [SourceTitle "europe-echecs.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. c4 $5 Nf6 {Le 1.c4 de Ding Liren devait attendre l'habituel 1...e5 de Ian Nepomniachtchi.} 2. Nc3 e5 {Nous y revenons.} 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 {Vous aurez remarqué que la position ressemble à une variante Rossolimo de la Sicilienne avec les couleurs inversées. 1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Fb5 e6...} 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. bxc3 d6 (6... O-O 7. d3 d6 8. Be2 e4 (8... Ne8 9. O-O f5 10. c5 d5 11. c4 e4 {1-0 Ding,L (2805)-Karjakin,S (2752) Abidjan FIDE GP blitz 2019.}) 9. dxe4 Re8 10. Nd2 Ng4 11. h3 Qh4 12. g3 Qh6 13. Ba3 b6 14. f4 {½-½ Ding,L (2805)-Aronian,L (2752) Norway Chess Armageddon blitz 2019}) 7. e4 {Aucun doute, Ding Liren a réussi à évacuer la pression du match et joue maintenant ses premiers coups libéré. Malgré le perte d'un tempo : 4.e3 et 7.e4, Ding Liren opte pour une position relativement fermée. Cependant, avec les deux Fous il y a toujours des opportunités dynamiques.} O-O 8. Be2 (8. g3 $5 {est stratégiquement le plan le plus ambitieux, mais du fait des deux tempi Dc2 et e3-e4, c'est finalement totalement inoffensif.}) 8... Nh5 9. d4 {Ding Liren a jusqu'ici tout joué a tempo, alors que de son côté Ian Nepomniachtchi a commencé à prendre du temps dès 7...0-0 (5 minutes), 8...Ch5 (4 minutes).} Nf4 10. Bxf4 exf4 {Nous suivons une dernière partie de la base, jouée par un des secondants du Chinois, le Hongrois Richard Rapport (2621) - Zaragatski,I (2460) Bundesliga 2012.} 11. O-O {Aussitôt abandonnée avec ce nouveau coup.} (11. h4 Re8 12. Bd3 Bg4 13. Ng1 f5 14. Kf1 fxe4 15. Bxe4 h6 16. Nf3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 {1-0 (69) Rapport,R (2621)-Zaragatski,I (2460) Bundesliga 2012}) 11... Qf6 {« Une fois que Ian Nepomniachtchi est sorti de sa préparation, il montre sa mauvaise compréhension des échecs. » Vladislav Tkachiev — Anish Giri : « J'ai un très bon feeling pour Ding ici, surtout qu'il est toujours dans sa préparation. Il connaît cette position, qu'il sait être meilleure pour lui. Ian essaye de jouer rapidement pour prétendre être encore dans son fichier, mais je pense qu'il fait semblant. »} 12. Rfe1 Re8 {Avec une première réflexion de Ding Liren. 1h50-1h30.} ({Le coup réclamé à cor et à cri par les machines était} 12... g5 $5) 13. Bd3 $6 ({La plupart des commentateurs - et les machines - auraient empêché le Fou noir de venir en g4 avec} 13. h3) 13... Bg4 $1 {Et Ian Nepomniachtchi ne laisse pas passer l'occasion d'égaliser.} 14. Nd2 Na5 $6 {Les deux joueurs intriguent les commentateurs avec des coup rapides mais apparemment inexacts. Le coup de Ian invite les Blancs à jouer 15.h3 qui permettrait d'obtenir la position du 13e coup avec en plus un Cavalier noir en a5 mal placé. Ou alors 15.Da4 que Stockfish suggère.} (14... Rad8 15. h3 Bc8 {et les Noirs étaient très bien.}) 15. c5 $5 {Ding Liren se tourne vers une troisième voie, envisagée aussi par Anish Giri, le sacrifice d'un pion pour détourner le pion d6, pousser e5, et le centre en général.} (15. Qa4 $5 b6 16. f3 Be6 17. Nb3 Nxb3 18. axb3 {avec avantage blanc.}) (15. h3 Bh5 $1 16. Qa4 b6 17. Nb3) 15... dxc5 16. e5 Qh6 17. d5 Rad8 18. c4 b6 {Un moment important après la suite de coups plus ou moins forcés. Les Blancs ont des compensations pour le pion sacrifié : deux pions doublés chez les Noirs et un Cavalier éloigné, sans oublier le beau centre de pions blancs. Il faut maintenant pour Ding Liren trouver comment continuer.} 19. h3 (19. Qc3 $5 Bh5 20. Bc2) 19... Bh5 $1 {Le seul bon coup. 1h06-1h03.} (19... Bc8 $6 20. Nf3 {[%CAl Ya1d1]}) 20. Be4 {Ding Liren empêche les Noirs de jouer ...f3 et, d'une manière générale, tente de limiter les possibilités de Nepo. On sait que le Russe n'aime pas trop la passivité, et il pourrait donc être tenté de faire quelque chose.} Re7 {Après 17 minutes. 1h03-0h46. Le maître international et entraîneur britannique Tom Rendle : « J'ai toujours trouvé ces positions difficiles. Les Blancs sont mieux, mais les Noirs ont des moyens simple pour améliorer leurs pièces mal placées - il est donc facile de dériver et la tendance peut changer. »} ({L'échange d'une pièce, théoriquement souhaitable avec du matériel en plus, serait ici une très mauvaise idée. Par exemple :} 20... Bg6 $6 21. Nf3 Bxe4 $6 22. Rxe4 {[%CAl Ya1e1] avec une domination totale.}) ({Personne ne tomberait dans le piège grossier} 20... Rxe5 $4 21. Bxh7+ Qxh7 22. Qxh7+ Kxh7 23. Rxe5 $18) 21. Qc3 {Nous partageons l'opinion d'Anish Giri : « J'ai de très bonnes vibrations pour Ding ici. Il a juste besoin de bien jouer. Le décor est planté ! »} Rde8 22. Bf3 {Après 16 minutes.} ({L'alternative informatique était} 22. Bc2 Qg5 23. Ba4 c6 24. dxc6 Qg6 25. Ne4 Nxc6 26. Nf6+ gxf6 27. Bxc6 Rf8 28. exf6 Re6 29. Rxe6 fxe6) 22... Nb7 {A tempo ! 0h40 et 0h40.} 23. Re2 {« Les échecs sont un jeu terrible. Si vous n'avez pas le centre, votre adversaire a une position plus libre. Par contre, si vous avez le centre, alors vous avez vraiment quelque chose pour laquelle vous inquiéter ! » Siegbert Tarrasch (1862-1934)} (23. Bxh5 $5 Qxh5 24. Nf3 {était jugé comme plus précis par plusieurs commentateurs.}) 23... f6 {Voilà un coup pas facile à jouer.} 24. e6 {Forcé, même si cela donne des cases au Cavalier pour revenir en jeu.} Nd6 $5 {Offre l'opportunité à l'adversaire d'échanger les Fous en h5, pour empêcher le Fou des Noirs de contrôler la diagonale h7-b1, et aussi pour se débarrasser de son mauvais Fou.} 25. Rae1 (25. Bxh5 $5 Qxh5 26. Ree1 $14) 25... Nf5 $6 {Une imprécision jouée en seulement 45 secondes !} 26. Bxh5 {Retrouve le bon chemin.} Qxh5 27. Re4 Qh6 {Avec 31 minutes chacun.} 28. Qf3 Nd4 $2 {Une faute tactique qui offre un gain à Ding Liren et l'égalisation !} (28... g5 {Bon ou mauvais, les Noirs n'avaient pas le choix, ils fallait défendre le pion de plus.} 29. g4 Nd6 30. R4e2) 29. Rxd4 $1 {En 1 minute et 27 secondes !} cxd4 30. Nb3 {[%csl Gb3,Re7][%CAl Yb3d4,Yd4c6,Yd4f5,Yf5e7,Yc6e7] La manœuvre 31.Cxd4 et 32.Cc6 ou 32.Cf5 avec menace sur la Tour en e7 est décisive.} g5 $6 {Il n'y avait de toutes façons aucune défense viable.} 31. Nxd4 {A tempo.} Qg6 {Empêche le Cavalier d'atteindre la case f5.} 32. g4 $1 {Simple et fort.} (32. Nc6 $6 {donnerait inutilement quelques chances au Russe.} Rg7) 32... fxg3 33. fxg3 h5 34. Nf5 Rh7 {Ian Nepomniachtchi a sauvé sa Tour, mais d'autres menaces blanches pointent à l'horizon.} 35. Qe4 {Avec l'idée de gagner la Dame par 36.Ce7+!} Kh8 36. e7 Qf7 37. d6 $1 {« Et à la fin de l'envoi, je touche ! »} cxd6 38. Nxd6 Qg8 39. Nxe8 Qxe8 40. Qe6 Kg7 {Le contrôle du 40e coup est atteint et Ding Liren a tout son temps pour achever cette partie avec les coups les plus précis.} 41. Rf1 $1 {Force la réponse suivante.} Rh6 42. Rd1 $1 {Et la Tour noire ne peut plus attaquer le pion e7.} f5 43. Qe5+ Kf7 44. Qxf5+ Rf6 45. Qh7+ Ke6 46. Qg7 $5 {Les Noirs n'ont plus de coups.} ({Alors que pour les Blancs tout gagne.} 46. Re1+ Kd7 47. Qe4) 46... Rg6 47. Qf8 {Ian Nepomniachtchi, sous pression dès le sortir de l'ouverture, s'est trompé au 28e coup et Ding Liren, « le phœnix des hôtes de ces bois » n'a pas laissé passer l'occasion de revenir à 2 points partout !} (47. Qf8 Rg8 48. Qxg8+ Qxg8 49. Rd8) 1-0 [Event "FIDE World Chess Championship 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.04.13"] [Round "4"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2788"] [BlackElo "2795"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "7200+30"] {[%evp 0,93,29,-16,-16,-16,-16,-13,-13,-13,-20,-15,5,1,1,-1,0,1,14,13,38,43,46,46,36,36,40,23,39,45,68,2,4,4,4,-5,4,-29,0,0,0,8,7,8,11,0,0,0,38,29,35,23,37,31,33,23,23,19,23,20,52,50,52,52,56,49,62,59,70,67,64,107,100,133,314,314,308,326,365,542,562,605,616,626,632,658,658,628,640,640,647,652,695,677,677,677]} 1. c4 {After the unsuccessful result in an attempt to take the game to more exotic terrain in the second game, Ding chooses the English Open, one of his favorites.} Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 {This is the move considered most accurate by theory.} (5... O-O {is also possible, but now White has the option to play} 6. Nd5) 6. bxc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move. It seems exotic to capture with the pawn. After all what is the queen on c2 for $2 But the idea is now to play with e3-e4 and try to assert the strength of the center with the pair of bishops.} (6. Qxc3 Qe7 {Black plans to play d7-d5 quickly. There's a lot of theory here.}) 6... d6 {[%CAl Gc8g4,Gc8d7]} (6... e4 $1 {[%mdl 160] is a critical move, preventing White from stabilizing the center.} 7. Ng5 Qe7 8. f3 exf3 9. Nxf3 {This position was discussed a few days ago in a very high-level game. White got the upper hand after} O-O 10. d4 d5 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nf6 13. Bd3 Ng4+ 14. Ke2 {in Yakubboev-Sevian, Spring Chess Classic 2023.}) 7. e4 O-O 8. Be2 (8. g3 {[%CAl Gf1g2] is the most played move. It avoids the plan that will be executed in the game, but it takes a little longer to finish the development. Black has several possible ideas, and the game remains balanced.}) 8... Nh5 {A normal reaction, activating the knight. The Ne7-g6 plan is also interesting and has been tried in two recent games.} (8... Ne7 {[%csl Gc6][%CAl Gd6d5,Ge7g6]} 9. O-O Ng6 10. d4 b6 11. Re1 {[%csl Rc4,Rd4,Re4] Tabatabaei-Giri, Chessable Play In Match (rapid) 2023.}) (8... h6 9. O-O Ne7 10. d4 Ng6 11. c5 Re8 12. cxd6 cxd6 {[%csl Rc3,Rd4,Re4] Tabatabaei-Caruana, PRO League (rapid) 2023.}) 9. d4 Nf4 {[%CAl Rf4e2] A rare move that changes the character of the position. This type of change is very difficult to evaluate, but my computer is not very happy with this move, despite the high probability that it's still Nepomniachtchi's preparation. Ding, in turn, said at the press conference that he was out of preparation after this, which is curious since in the only game it was tried, his coach was playing White.} (9... Qf6 {is the popular move in correspondence games, which means it must be the best.}) 10. Bxf4 exf4 {[%csl Rc4,Rd4,Re4][%mdl 48] White has lost the advantage of the bishop pair, but now has an imposing pawn center.} 11. O-O $5 $146 (11. h4 $6 {This mysterious move was played some time ago by Ding's second, GM Rapport. He was young and impetuous back then. He knows that Ding's style is more classic. Anyway, he got an interesting position after} Re8 12. Bd3 Bg4 13. Ng1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} f5 14. Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} fxe4 15. Bxe4 {Rapport-Zaragatski, Germany 2012.}) 11... Qf6 12. Rfe1 Re8 {A critical moment.} 13. Bd3 $6 {[%CAl Rd3h7] [%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move doesn't seem to me to be the most accurate. White has a few alternatives.} (13. h3 {seems to me to be the most natural. White avoids the bishop development to g4.} Bd7 (13... Qg6 14. Kh2 {[%csl Re4] and the pawn on e4 cannot be captured.} Rxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} (14... Qxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 15. Bd3 {[%CAl Rd3h7]}) 15. Bd3 {[%csl Rc2,Rd3,Re1,Ge4,Gg6,Gh7][%CAl Rd3h7,Re1e4,Rc2e4] winning material.} (15. Nh4 {also wins.})) 14. Bd3) (13. c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] it is an immediate version of the sacrifice that will be played later.} dxc5 14. e5 $1 {[%mdl 128]} Qh6 {[%CAl Gd4d5,Gc3c4,Ge5e6]} 15. Rad1 $36 {[%csl Rd4,Re5] With a complex position. White has compensation in the form of his moving center pawns.}) 13... Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14. Nd2 Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural plan in these structures and is normally played in the Nimzo-Indian Defense. The idea is to play b6 and then c5. Here, however, it's not the most accurate.} (14... f3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too optimistic, as it only creates weaknesses after} 15. g3 $14 (15. h3 Bxh3 16. Nxf3 {is also very good for White.})) (14... Rad8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best plan, anticipating any central advance by White.} 15. h3 Bc8 {If the knight tries to go back to f3, then after} 16. Nf3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is ready to start a kingside counterplay. Kh8-Rg8 can be played if needed.}) 15. c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A brave decision, this is a long-term pawn sacrifice in order to get mobility for the central pawns. It's even more commendable if we consider that White has other safer (and maybe even better) possibilities.} (15. f3 Bd7 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. axb3 {This is a natural sequence, but it seems that White's beautiful pawn structure does not offer a special advantage after} a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] preventing the advance of the b-pawn.}) (15. h3 {White can start with this move.} Bh5 {This is the right square, since after} (15... Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16. Nf3 $1 {[%csl Rc2,Rc4,Rd3,Rd4,Re1,Re4,Rf3] [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight returns to the game, and White prepares e4-e5.})) (15. Qa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Perhaps this is the most surgical move.} b6 16. f3 Bh5 (16... Be6 {This move isn't as bad as it looks, as 17.d5 is not dangerous.} 17. Nb3 (17. d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Qxc3) (17. e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 17... Nxb3 18. axb3 {with some advantage for White.}) 17. Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxb3 18. axb3 {The queen can now try to invade the queenside. White's position looks better, but the game is complicated, for example:} c5 19. Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} cxd4 20. Rxa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rad8 21. Qd5 Qh4 22. Rc1 dxc3 23. Bf1 {and the c3-pawn will fall with better structure for White.}) 15... dxc5 {[%tqu "En","","","","e4e5","",10]} 16. e5 $1 {[%csl Rc2,Rd3,Rd4,Re5][%CAl Ge5e6,Gc3c4,Gd4d5,Rd3h7,Rc2h7,Gd2e4,Re4f6][%mdl 2256]} Qh6 {[%tqu "En","","","","d4d5","The center pawn pair certainly commands respect, but Black is solid.",10]} 17. d5 $5 {[%csl Rd5,Re5][%CAl Ge5e6] The center pawn pair certainly commands respect, but Black is solid.} Rad8 (17... b6 {is quite natural. Black can try to speed up the plan of doubling on e-file after} 18. c4 {[%csl Ra7,Rb6,Rc2,Rc4,Rc5,Rc7,Rd2,Rd3,Rd5,Re1,Re5]} Re7 $5 {[%csl Re7,Re8][%CAl Ga8e8,Re8e5] [%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 18. c4 b6 19. h3 Bh5 {The right square, so the white knight cannot return to f3.} (19... Bc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 20. Nf3) 20. Be4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting plan: get the bishop to f3 in order to double rooks on the e-file.} Re7 {It's not easy to find a plan for Black, so Nepomniachtchi decides to double on the e-file, a good decision.} (20... Rxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 21. Bxh7+ Qxh7 22. Qxh7+ Kxh7 23. Rxe5 $16 {[%csl Re5][%CAl Re5h5,Ga1e1,Ge1e8,Re5e8][%mdl 3200]}) 21. Qc3 Rde8 22. Bf3 {[%csl Gc3,Ge1,Re7,Re8][%CAl Gc3e5,Ge1e5,Re7e5,Re8e5]} Nb7 23. Re2 {[%CAl Ga1e1]} f6 {This move is not forced, but it's interesting to bring the knight, although the pawn on e6 is unpleasant.} 24. e6 $1 {Forced.} (24. Rae1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} fxe5 25. Rxe5 Qf6 {[%csl Gc3,Ge1,Re7,Re8,Rf6][%CAl Rf6e5,Re7e5,Re8e5,Gc3e5,Ge1e5] wins material.}) 24... Nd6 25. Rae1 $11 Nf5 $6 {[%CAl Gf5d4]} (25... Bg6 $1 $11 {[%csl Re4][%CAl Gg6b1] [%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an interesting option, keeping the bishops. My impression is that White doesn't have a plan to break Black's position. To be honest, I'd rather be Black here, as I have a long-term plan (advance the pawns on the kingside despite the dangers). The computer evaluates the position as equal.}) 26. Bxh5 Qxh5 27. Re4 $1 {[%CAl Ge4d4,Re4f4]} Qh6 28. Qf3 Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] That move is the only serious mistake of the game, and from now on the final result is never in doubt.} (28... g5 {is necessary.} 29. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nd6 (29... Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30. Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} cxd4 31. Nb3 {is an even better version of the game.}) (29... Nh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30. Qd3 {and the knight is misplaced.}) (29... fxg3 $4 30. Qxf5 gxf2+ 31. Qxf2 Qxh3 32. R1e3 $18) 30. R4e2 $44 {White has enough compensation for the pawn, thanks to his formidable pawn on e6. But I don't really know what the plan would be to try to win in this position.}) 29. Rxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi clearly underestimated the strength of this fine exchange sacrifice.} (29. Qd3 {Ding mentioned that he was planning this move initially until he realized that 29.Rxd4 works.}) (29. Qxf4 $2 Qxf4 30. Rxf4 c6 $11 {[%CAl Gd2f3] with a good endgame for Black.}) 29... cxd4 30. Nb3 {The knight captures the d4-pawn, and the position becomes a strategic massacre.} g5 (30... c5 $4 {This doesn't work for tactical reasons.} 31. d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxe6 32. Rxe6 Rxe6 33. d7 {and the d-pawn decides the game.} Rd6 34. Qa8+ Kf7 35. Qe8#) 31. Nxd4 Qg6 {Trying to keep the knight from jumping to f5.} {[%tqu "En","","","","g2g4","(%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true) What a beautiful move to execute. Aesthetic and efficient. The knight secures its place on f5.",10]} 32. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What a beautiful move to execute. Aesthetic and efficient. The knight secures its place on f5.} fxg3 33. fxg3 h5 {[%tqu "En","","","","d4f5","White's position is so beautiful that it makes you want to take a picture of it.",10]} 34. Nf5 $1 $40 {[%CAl Rf5e7] White's position is so beautiful that it makes you want to take a picture of it.} Rh7 $4 {[%csl Gh7]} 35. Qe4 Kh8 {[%tqu "En","","","","e6e7","",10]} 36. e7 $1 Qf7 37. d6 {The pawns perform the final work.} cxd6 38. Nxd6 Qg8 (38... Qxe7 39. Nxe8 {wins a piece.}) 39. Nxe8 Qxe8 40. Qe6 Kg7 41. Rf1 Rh6 42. Rd1 {[%CAl Rd1d8]} f5 43. Qe5+ Kf7 44. Qxf5+ Rf6 45. Qh7+ Ke6 46. Qg7 Rg6 47. Qf8 $1 {A magnificent victory for Ding, who showed the best version of his chess. The match is tied, and at this moment it's impossible to make a prediction about who will be the next world champion.} (47. Qf8 Qxe7 (47... Rg8 48. Rd8) 48. Re1+) 1-0 [Event "FIDE World Championship 2023"] [Site "Astana, Kazakhstan"] [Date "2023.04.14"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2788"] [BlackElo "2795"] [Annotator "Navara,David"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] {[%evp 0,93,27,-6,4,-22,-22,-22,-22,-18,-19,-10,-1,7,-5,-20,-10,-5,40,38,47,42,52,51,40,32,20,42,30,30,76,38,14,2,5,-39,-9,-8,6,6,-3,6,0,-1,-1,-1,4,-15,24,21,44,24,19,27,22,19,28,8,64,31,42,64,63,82,82,82,82,60,76,118,101,118,144,155,282,282,290,305,309,233,281,575,605,609,639,651,651,651,651,651,651,685,685,685,685,685]} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. bxc3 {This line leads to a strategically complex position. It does not bring White advantage, but a moment of surprise is on his side.} d6 (6... e4 7. Ng5 Qe7 (7... d5 $5 8. f3 $5 (8. Rb1 $5) 8... h6 9. cxd5 hxg5 10. dxc6 exf3 11. gxf3 g4 {leads to big complications}) 8. f3 exf3 9. Nxf3 O-O 10. Be2 $36 {leaves White with many central pawns. Black can activate his pieces, but there is a real danger that White might manage to advance his pawns in such a way that they will control important central squares without creating too many weaknesses.}) (6... O-O 7. e4 d6 {transposes to the game.}) 7. e4 O-O 8. Be2 (8. g3 {is the most common move here, but it also has drawbacks. Black can prepare the b7-b5 advance through} a6 9. a4 Nd7 10. Nh4 (10. Bg2 $6 Nc5 $36 {allows Black to play f7-f5 quickly.}) 10... Nc5 11. d3 Na5 $5 12. Be3 Bd7 {with enough counterplay, for example} 13. Bg2 $6 (13. Be2 Bh3 $5 (13... Qe8 14. Bd1 b5) 14. Bf1 Bd7) 13... b5 $1 14. Bxc5 dxc5 15. axb5 axb5 16. cxb5 Bxb5 $36 {is more pleasant for Black, as the d3-pawn is weak.}) 8... Nh5 {Black chooses a concrete continuation.} (8... h6 {is mostly a useful move in such positions, but here White can also consider} 9. h3 $5 {, when g2-g4-g5 is an option in certain lines. It should not bring White anything special, but allowing such options with Black without a thorough preparation can be very dangerous at times.}) (8... b6 $5 {is a reasonable waiting move.} 9. d3 {is a relevant option, as} (9. O-O h6 10. d3 Nh7 11. d4 Qf6 {or} (11... Bg4 {leads to a position with mutual chances})) 9... h6 10. h3 Nh7 11. g4 $5 {followed by g2-g4 is a dangerous idea. That said, it is also dangerous for White after} Ne7 $1 12. g5 h5 13. h4 Bg4 14. Nh2 Bxe2 15. Qxe2 g6 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Qd7 {, as his king will be somewhat exposed even on the kingside. A correspondence game Bos - Jiménez Ariza ended in a draw after 15.Qxe2.}) 9. d4 Nf4 $6 {This move is natural but probably inaccurate, as it gives White free hands in the center.} (9... Qf6 {is perhaps the critical option} 10. d5 (10. g3 $5 {is a tricky option. Upon a closer examination it seems that Black can take the pawn, but personally I would be afraid of the opponent's preparation.} exd4 (10... Bg4 11. Nh4 Bxe2 12. Qxe2 g6 13. d5 Nb8 14. Bh6 Re8 15. c5 $5 dxc5 16. Rb1 $36) 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 Qxd4 13. Bb2 Qc5 14. e5 $1 {This looks very dangerous for Black, but} g6 {holds everything together:} 15. Qd2 (15. Bxh5 $6 gxh5 {is surprisingly good for Black, as there are two kings on the board:} 16. O-O-O (16. O-O dxe5 17. Qe2 f6 $17) 16... Be6 $5 $15) 15... Qc6 $1 (15... dxe5 16. Bxh5 Qc6 $1 17. O-O-O Qxc4+ {is just a transposition}) 16. O-O-O dxe5 17. Bxh5 Qxc4+ 18. Bc3 (18. Kb1 $6 Bf5+ 19. Ka1 gxh5 20. Bxe5 f6 $15) 18... gxh5 19. Qg5+ Kh8 20. Qf6+ Kg8 21. Qg5+ (21. Rd3 Qc6 $1 (21... Qxd3 $4 22. Bxe5 $1 Qc4+ 23. Kb2 Qb5+ 24. Ka1 Qxe5+ 25. Qxe5 $16 {is bad because of Black's weak king.}) 22. Qg5+ Kh8 23. Qxe5+ f6 24. Qd5 $15 {might give White enough compensation for the pawns, but it is already Black who can search for more than equality.})) (10. O-O $6 Nf4 11. Bxf4 Qxf4 {is comfortable for Black who has exchanged White's strongest minor pieces.}) 10... Na5 (10... Nb8 11. g3 Na6 12. Be3) 11. g3 {This seems to be the critical continuation. White has deteriorated his pawn structure, but Black's knight on h5 might be vulnerable.} b6 (11... Bg4 12. Nh4 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Nf4 14. Qf3 Kh8 {might objectively be good for Black, but in certain lines his position hangs on a thread, e.g.} 15. O-O Nxc4 (15... Qd8 {is more circumspect.}) 16. Qg4 h5 17. Qd1 c6 18. Kh1 $5 (18. Nf5 Qg6 19. Nh4 Qf6) 18... g6 $1 19. Nf3 Nh3 20. Kg2 g5 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Nd2 Nxd2 23. Qxh5+ Kg7 24. Bxd2 Rh8 25. Qg4 d5 26. Rae1 Rh6 $13) 12. c5 $5 Bg4 $5 (12... dxc5 13. c4 {Giving up a pawn, White opens the long diagonal for his bishop.} Re8 (13... Bg4 14. Nh4 Bxe2 15. Qxe2 g6 16. O-O) 14. Bb2 Bg4 15. Nh4 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 $36 {White might push f2-f4 in the future.}) 13. Nh4 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Nf4 $1 {Other options are worse.} 15. Qf3 $1 bxc5 16. O-O g6 (16... Ng6 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. Nf5 Nc4 19. Bh6 $14) (16... Nh3+ $6 {only helps White's position:} 17. Kg2 Nf4+ $1 18. Kh1 $14) 17. Qg4 $1 h5 18. Qd1 c4 {This position might be equal, but Black first needs to get there.}) (9... Re8 {is another relevant option. Personally I find the combination of the moves Nh5 and Re8 a bit inconsistent, but it is not bad at all.} 10. Bg5 $5 Nf6 $1 (10... f6 11. Be3 Nf4 12. Bxf4 exf4 13. Bd3 $14) 11. d5 Nb8 (11... Ne7 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Bd3 Ng6 {is also an option, but I prefer White after} 14. Nd2 Kh8 15. g3 Bh3 16. Bf1 $14 {, as Black's kingside is weakened and the knight on g6 is restricted.}) 12. c5 $5 dxc5 13. O-O h6 14. Bh4 $44 {White has positional compensation. Black would like to transfer one or another knight to d6, but it is not so easy.} Bg4 $1 {followed by an exchange on f3 or e2 looks good for Black.}) 10. Bxf4 exf4 11. O-O Qf6 (11... g5 {looks natural, but White maintains an edge after} 12. h3 Kh8 13. Nh2 $5 Qf6 14. Rfe1 $14) (11... Kh8 12. h3 $14) 12. Rfe1 Re8 (12... g5 13. h3 Kh8 14. Nh2 $14 {transposes to a position from the previous note.}) 13. Bd3 $6 (13. Rad1 {is a recommendation of my electronic fish. To maintain an edge, White needs to find some very deep ideas there.} Qg6 (13... Bg4 14. Qb2 Rab8 15. h3 Bh5 16. Nd2 Qg5 17. Bxh5 Qxh5 18. Nf3 $14) 14. Qc1 $1 {A hard move to find and appreciate.} Qh6 (14... Bh3 $2 15. Bf1 $1 $16 Rxe4 $2 16. Rxe4 Qxe4 17. Ng5 $18) (14... Rxe4 {looks odd at the first sight, good after a closer look and slightly better for White after a computer analysis:} 15. Qb1 $3 {White is threatening 16.Nh4 or 16.Bd3 Bh3 17.g3 with back rank motifs. The queen also eyes the b7-pawn.} (15. Bd3 $6 Bh3 $1 {is good for Black.}) 15... Re7 16. Bd3 Qf6 17. Bxh7+ Kf8 {White has regained a pawn with initiative and now has two promising options:} 18. Be4 (18. Rxe7 Nxe7 19. Be4 $14) 18... g5 19. h3 $14 {Black still needs to complete the development, which is easier said than done. The bishop cannot leave the b7-pawn undefended, but} Rb8 {loses to} 20. Bxc6 {.}) 15. h3 $5 (15. Qb1 g5 $1 16. h3 Rb8 (16... g4 $2 17. hxg4 Bxg4 18. Qxb7 $16) 17. Nh2 $1 $14) 15... Rxe4 16. Bd3 Rxe1+ 17. Rxe1 Kf8 18. h4 $5 f6 $2 {This move protects the g5-square, but also seriously limits Blacks queen, which can be exploited through energetic play:} (18... Ne7 $14) 19. c5 $1 Bg4 20. Qb2 $1 Rb8 (20... Bxf3 21. Qxb7 $18) 21. Be4 $1 Re8 22. Bxc6 bxc6 23. Rxe8+ Kxe8 24. Qb8+ Kd7 25. cxd6 cxd6 26. Qxa7+ (26. Qb7+ {is also close to winning}) 26... Ke6 27. d5+ $1 Kxd5 {This position is visibly bad for Black with an exposed king and a passive queen. White can indeed win in many ways. There is a lovely line starting with} 28. Nd4 (28. Qf7+ {is a simpler win, as} Be6 {loses outright to} 29. c4+ $1) 28... Qg6 29. Qa8 $1 Bd7 30. Qg8+ {and ending with Black's king on c1 and White being a piece up 7 moves later, but we have already gone way too far from the game.}) (13. c5 $5 dxc5 14. e5 {was an interesting positional sacrifice. A similar one occurred several moves later in the game. Here White has not played d4-d5 yet, but the evalutation remains the same after} Qh6 (14... Qe7) 15. Rad1 $1 Bg4 16. Qb3 {. Originally I believed White to be slightly better here, but now I believe that it is sharp but equal, with any result possible.} b6 (16... Rab8 $5) 17. Qa4 $5 {is an interesting idea, when Black's knight or rook on e8 might become tactically weak. But Black can counter it with} a6 18. e6 b5 $1 (18... Rxe6 19. d5 Rxe2 $1 20. Rxe2 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Qg5+ 22. Kh1 Ne5 23. Qe4 $1 Re8 24. d6 $1 cxd6 25. Rxd6 h6 26. Rd5 $1 f6 {is also very unclear.}) 19. exf7+ Kxf7 $13 {.}) 13... Bg4 14. Nd2 Na5 $6 (14... Rad8 {was a good move, bringing the last piece into play. After} 15. Rab1 {Black can choose between} Bc8 {and} (15... b6 {. His position is compact, the e4-e5 advance is not dangerous. White lacks control of the dark squares and while his pieces effectively protect the pawns c4 and e4, they are not very active. Not that Black's pieces would be too active, but somehow I find it easier to improve Black's position than White's. (Say, g7-g5 might be a good idea, although one which should be implemented very carefully. White should probably push c4-c5, but it could also backfire.) I might well be biased.})) 15. c5 $1 {The Chinese grandmaster sacrifices a pawn for positional compensation.} (15. h3 $5 Bh5 16. Qa4 b6 17. Nb3 {looks good, but there is} Qg5 $1 18. Bf1 $1 Bf3 19. h4 Qg6 20. Kh2 Qg4 21. gxf3 Qxf3 $1 {, when Black creates sufficient counterplay:} 22. Bg2 (22. Re2 Qg4 23. Nd2 $1 f3 $1 24. Re3 Qxh4+ 25. Kg1 Qg4+) 22... Qxf2 $44) (15. Qa4 $1 b6 16. f3 Be6 17. Nb3 Nxb3 18. axb3 {was a less radical approach which promises White a slight edge. The play might continue} Qd8 19. c5 $1 dxc5 20. Bb5 Re7 21. Red1 $14 {or} (21. dxc5 bxc5 22. Red1 $14 {, when White's activity is more important than a temporary material deficit.})) 15... dxc5 (15... Qg5 16. cxd6 cxd6 17. Rab1 $14 {leaves White with an edge for free. The backward c3-pawn cannot be attacked that easily.}) 16. e5 Qh6 17. d5 Rad8 (17... b6 18. c4 Re7 {is similar to the game. After} 19. Qc3 Rae8 20. Bc2 $1 {White can play Bc2-a4.}) 18. c4 $14 {White is a pawn down, but controls the center. Black's knight is temporarily passive. On the contrary, White's knight can easily be activated, which was not possible several moves ago.} b6 19. h3 Bh5 {If being given the chance, Black would like to play f4-f3 or undermine White's pawns playing 20...c6 21.d6 f6.} 20. Be4 $1 {White increases control over the f3-square, thus neutralizing Blacks counterplay.} (20. Qc3 $1 {was another good move. Then} c6 $5 21. Be4 {might transpose into the next note.}) 20... Re7 (20... c6 $5 {was also an interesting option. But it is hard to decide on such a move, as the things can easily go very much wrong for Black.} 21. Qc3 (21. d6 f6 $1 {is the key idea, which equalizes after} 22. Nb3 $1 Nxb3 23. axb3 Bg6 $1 24. exf6 Rxd6 25. Bxg6 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Qxg6 27. Qa2 $5 $13) 21... Bg6 $1 22. Bf3 (22. Rad1 Bxe4 23. Nxe4 Nb7 24. f3 cxd5 25. cxd5 Qh5 26. Nf2 Qf5 27. Re4 f6 $1 $13 {also enables Black to attack White's pawn center.}) 22... Bh5 23. Rad1 Bxf3 24. Nxf3 Qg6 25. Qc1 $1 $14 {White is a pawn down, but his d-pawn is very strong. An important point is that} Qf5 {can be met with} 26. e6 $1 cxd5 27. Re5 Qg6 28. cxd5 fxe6 29. dxe6 Rxd1+ 30. Qxd1 Nc6 31. Re1 {, when White maintains initiative.} Rxe6 $2 {loses outright to} (31... Re7 $1 32. Qd5 Qe8 $1 $13) 32. Qd5 $18) (20... Rxe5 $2 21. Bxh7+ $1 Qxh7 22. Qxh7+ Kxh7 23. Rxe5 $16 {is bad for Black, as the rooks are able to attack Black's pawns, in particular c7.}) 21. Qc3 $1 Rde8 (21... f6 22. e6 Nb7 23. a4 a5 {leads to a type of position mentioned in the notes to 23...Bg6! and 25...Bg6!.}) 22. Bf3 $14 Nb7 23. Re2 (23. Bxh5 $1 Qxh5 24. Nf3 Qf5 25. Rad1 $14 {might have been a bit more accurate, but White's plan worked very well in the game.}) 23... f6 {Black allows White to create a passed pawn, but gets a nice d6-square for his knight in return. That said, this idea might work even better without the exchange of the bishops.} (23... Bg6 $1 24. Rae1 Kf8 25. Bg4 f6 $5 {looks highly counterintuitive in this version, but it might have relieved the pressure a bit. After} 26. e6 (26. exf6 Rxe2 27. Rxe2 Nd6 $36 {is surprisingly good for Black. His king is safer that it looks and his better bishop could matter in endgames.}) (26. d6 $5 cxd6 27. exf6 Rxe2 28. Rxe2 {promises White enough compensation, but not more. Black can activate his queen and knight in various ways.}) 26... Nd6 27. a4 a5 {the position resembles a fortress. White has a nice position, but it is hard to say how could he improve it.}) 24. e6 Nd6 25. Rae1 {White improves his pieces. The side with more active pieces usually need not worry when complications arise.} (25. Bxh5 Qxh5 26. Nf3 $6 (26. Qd3 $1 $36) 26... b5 $1 $36) 25... Nf5 $6 {This move allows White to exchange the bishops under favorable conditions. Ian Nepomniachtchi is a great dynamic player. Such players often find it difficult to sit and defend passively. And it seems that this position required precisely that.} (25... Bg6 $1 {would have prevented White from improving his position. Black is ready to counter a2-a4 with a7-a5 and to meet Ne4 with Bxe4. Playing on three ranks is not much fun. It is not clear how should White strenghten his position.}) 26. Bxh5 (26. Bg4 Bxg4 27. hxg4 Nd6 28. Ne4 $14 {was another option, but White's continuation was no worse.}) 26... Qxh5 27. Re4 Qh6 28. Qf3 {The decisive moment of the game has arisen.} (28. Kh2 $5 Nd6 29. R4e2 $14 {might have been more circumspect.}) 28... Nd4 $2 {Black is ready to give back an extra pawn, but this move also provokes an exchange sacrifice, which turns out to be very strong.} (28... g5 $1 29. g4 $5 {I assume that this was the idea behind 28.Qf3. Or was it just a great trap which worked perfectly in the game?} Nd6 30. R4e2 Rf8 $13 {Black's position is better than it looks at the first sight. White has managed to exchange his light-squared bishop, which could not be used for breaking down Black's fortress. With the bishops exchanged, the knight exchange on e4 becomes an option and even h3-h4 could be good after a thorough preparation. That said, it seems that Black can push f6-f5 very soon, with any result possible. As so often, a strong engine on a strong computer evaluates that as 0.00.}) 29. Rxd4 $1 {The pieces which remain on the board are more important than those which have been exchanged. Black's rooks remain passive, whereas White will enjoy a powerful centralized knight and mighty central pawns.} (29. Qxf4 $2 Qxf4 30. Rxf4 c6 $1 31. Nf3 Nxf3+ 32. Rxf3 cxd5 33. cxd5 Rd8 34. Rd3 Rd6 35. f4 Kf8 36. f5 Rc7 {would have been good for Black.}) 29... cxd4 30. Nb3 g5 $6 {This move only creates a further weakness on f5, but Black's position was already beyond saving.} (30... d3 31. Qxd3 {was also bad. White brings the knight to d4 and then increases the pressure. Black has no counterplay.}) (30... f5 {also leaves White in full control after} 31. Nxd4 g6 32. a4 $5 $18 {.}) (30... c5 $6 {loses to} 31. d6 $1 Rxe6 32. Rxe6 Rxe6 33. d7 Rd6 34. Qa8+ Kf7 35. Qe8#) 31. Nxd4 Qg6 32. g4 $1 {There were also other good moves like} (32. g3 {, but White's continuation is the most resolute one.}) 32... fxg3 (32... h5 33. Nf5 Rh7 34. Qe4 Kh8 35. Kg2 $18 {gives Black no counterplay, as he is unable to double his major pieces on the h-file. White's knight is incredibly strong!}) 33. fxg3 h5 34. Nf5 $18 {White has installed the knight on a great square.} Rh7 35. Qe4 {White is threatening 36.Ne7+.} Kh8 36. e7 $1 {The passed pawn is supported by all the pieces and can therefore safely advance one square closer to the promotion square.} Qf7 (36... Rf7 37. Qe6 $1 $18 {is another case of domination.}) 37. d6 {White could also maintain the tension, but this move wins quickly.} cxd6 38. Nxd6 Qg8 (38... Qxe7 39. Nxe8 Qxe4 40. Rxe4 $18 {As the Lichess users know, it is hard to play without a horsey.}) 39. Nxe8 Qxe8 40. Qe6 Kg7 41. Rf1 $1 {Ding again finds the most direct way to a win. First he deflects Black's rook.} (41. Rd1 Kg6 $1) 41... Rh6 42. Rd1 $1 {The game is over, as Black has no adequate defense against 43. Rd8.} f5 43. Qe5+ (43. Qxf5 Qxe7 44. Rd7 $18) 43... Kf7 44. Qxf5+ Rf6 (44... Kxe7 45. Re1+ $18) 45. Qh7+ Ke6 46. Qg7 Rg6 47. Qf8 {and Black resigned.} 1-0 [Event "WCh 2023"] [Site "Astana KAZ"] [Date "2023.04.13"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Ding Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A28"] [Annotator "Crowther,Mark"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2023.04.09"] {[%evp 0,93,19,-12,-14,-17,-28,-6,-15,-18,-23,-18,-16,-6,0,-19,-6,-6,25,37,49,40,38,39,41,41,40,33,46,46,76,21,7,-4,-10,-22,6,-34,6,6,6,6,7,7,-1,-1,5,0,24,21,37,24,19,28,38,19,28,6,64,38,61,64,82,82,82,76,76,84,92,108,114,118,113,105,290,233,304,316,307,567,605,620,620,651,651,651,651,685,685,685,677,783,831,680,675,675]} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. bxc3 {A topical line.} (6. Qxc3 {Is the more common and straightforward continuation.}) 6... d6 7. e4 O-O 8. Be2 Nh5 ({Relevant:} 8... Ne7 9. O-O Ng6 10. d4 b6 11. Re1 h6 12. Nd2 Nh7 13. Nf1 f5 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Qf6 17. Be3 Ng5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Qd5+ Qf7 20. Bxg5 hxg5 21. Ne3 Qxd5 22. cxd5 Rf4 23. Rad1 Ra4 24. Re2 Rf8 25. h3 g4 26. h4 Ng6 27. g3 Ne5 28. Kg2 Re8 29. Nf5 Kf7 30. Rd4 Ra3 31. Rf4 Kg6 32. h5+ Kh7 33. Rxg4 Nxg4 34. Rxe8 Rxa2 35. Kh3 Nxf2+ 36. Kh4 Ra4+ 37. Nd4 Ra1 38. Re7 {Tabatabaei,M (2675)-Giri,A (2768) chess.com INT 2023 ?-? (67)}) 9. d4 Nf4 {Ding said he knew up to here.} 10. Bxf4 exf4 {[#]} 11. O-O $146 ({Predecessor:} 11. h4 Re8 12. Bd3 Bg4 13. Ng1 f5 14. Kf1 fxe4 15. Bxe4 h6 16. Nf3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Kh8 18. Qd2 Ne7 19. Bc2 Ng8 20. Kg2 Qd7 21. Rab1 c6 22. Qxf4 Re2 23. Bd3 Rxa2 24. Rhe1 Nf6 25. Bf5 Qf7 26. Qxd6 Nh5 27. Bg4 Nf4+ 28. Kg1 Ne2+ 29. Kh1 h5 30. Qe6 Qxe6 31. Bxe6 b6 32. c5 Rd2 33. d5 Nxc3 34. Re5 g6 35. Ra1 Nxd5 36. cxb6 Nxb6 37. Rg5 Rd6 38. Rxg6 Re8 39. Bf7 Rxg6 40. Bxg6 Re6 {Rapport,R (2621)-Zaragatski,I (2460) Germany 2013 1-0 (69)}) 11... Qf6 12. Rfe1 Re8 13. Bd3 Bg4 14. Nd2 Na5 $5 {This is quite a double edged move.} (14... Rad8 {is a fairly straightforward alternative.}) 15. c5 $5 (15. h3 {is another move that could be tried.} Bh5 16. Nb3) 15... dxc5 16. e5 Qh6 17. d5 {has to be in the spirit of the position.} (17. Be4) 17... Rad8 18. c4 b6 19. h3 {Played after quite some thought.} (19. Qc3 {is the alternative.}) 19... Bh5 20. Be4 (20. Qc3 {can again be tried.}) 20... Re7 21. Qc3 Rde8 22. Bf3 Nb7 23. Re2 (23. Bxh5) 23... f6 (23... Bxf3 24. Nxf3 f6 25. e6 {is probably dynamically equal.}) 24. e6 Nd6 {Anand thought this not the best and was played after just one and a half minutes thought.} (24... Bg6 {"24...Bg6 holding on to his bishop would have been more resilient" - Anand.}) 25. Rae1 (25. Bxh5) 25... Nf5 26. Bxh5 Qxh5 27. Re4 (27. Kh2) 27... Qh6 28. Qf3 (28. Kh2) 28... Nd4 $4 {Played after 1 minute 48 seconds of thought, Nepomniachtchi had been playing fast over the last few moves and this just loses. Nepomniachtchi said he lost "focus" and never seriously considered the exchange sacrifice. This really can only be explained by nerves.} (28... Rd8 29. Rxf4) (28... g5 {Is the best move in the position. It's still very tense here but it isn't quite clear how white should handle this.}) 29. Rxd4 $1 {Ding immediately looked very excited. Ding slightly flubbed the move when making it revealing his feelings. Took just over 2 minutes to decide on this.} cxd4 30. Nb3 $1 {This is all over. Black can resign, there's not a single thing he can do here.} g5 31. Nxd4 {Heading for f5.} Qg6 32. g4 {insisting on Nf5.} fxg3 33. fxg3 h5 34. Nf5 {Black is reduced to complete passivity and white can choose his winning method.} Rh7 35. Qe4 Kh8 36. e7 {The most direct.} Qf7 37. d6 cxd6 38. Nxd6 Qg8 (38... Qxe7 39. Nxe8 Qxe4 40. Rxe4 {with only a pawn for knight is hopeless for black too.}) 39. Nxe8 Qxe8 40. Qe6 Kg7 41. Rf1 {Time control is reached but the players didn't delay things long. Both knew there could just be one result.} Rh6 42. Rd1 f5 43. Qe5+ (43. Qxf5 {is also killing.}) 43... Kf7 44. Qxf5+ Rf6 45. Qh7+ Ke6 46. Qg7 (46. Re1+ Kd7 47. Qe4 {and there are forced mates being found by the engines.}) 46... Rg6 47. Qf8 (47. Qf8 Rg8 48. Rd8 Rxf8 49. exf8=Q Qxf8 50. Rxf8) 1-0