[Event "FIDE World Championship 2023"] [Site "Astana"] [Date "2023.04.18"] [Round "7"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C07"] [WhiteElo "2795"] [BlackElo "2788"] [Annotator "Europe-Echecs"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2023.04.09"] [EventType "match"] [EventCountry "KAZ"] [SourceTitle "europe-echecs.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceQuality "1"] {[%evp 0,74,18,31,50,44,44,-3,25,26,26,2,2,2,29,41,50,33,25,26,26,18,15,16,19,4,23,20,8,8,8,0,51,51,45,-4,10,7,17,6,51,0,0,-11,82,21,37,48,36,44,43,-40,4,0,0,0,0,-8,29,29,29,24,24,36,18,7,56,70,130,125,177,177,177,177,379,379,379]} 1. e4 {Comme prévu... Et Ding Liren, après quelques instants de réflexion, une surprise :} e6 {Une défense Française ! Si changer de réponse à 1.e4, après avoir rencontré des difficultés avec 1...e5, semble une bonne idée, c'est aussi, pour Ding Liren et son équipe de secondants, reconnaître qu'ils n'ont rien de concret dans la giberne contre la partie Espagnole.} 2. d4 d5 {Jacques François Mouret (22 août 1780 - 9 mai 1837) fut l'un des meilleurs joueurs français du début du 19e siècle. Mouret est surtout connu pour avoir été un des opérateurs cachés dans Le Turc, l'automate joueur d'échecs qui sillonna l'Europe au début du 19e siècle. Ce que l'on sait moins, c'est que Mouret prônait une défense très peu usitée à l'époque : 1.e4 - e6. Il enseigna cette défense à un des amateurs assidus du café de La Régence, M. Chamouillet. En 1834, Chamouillet faisait partie du comité de Paris lors de la fameuse partie par correspondance Londres-Paris, et c'est lui qui convainquit l'équipe parisienne d'adopter la défense de Mouret. À la suite de la victoire des Français, on nomma « La partie du Pion du Roi un pas », « Partie Française ».} 3. Nd2 {La variante de Siegbert Tarrasch. Elle évite les complications de la variante Winawer. Étienne Bacrot était surpris par ce 3.Cd2 de Ian Nepomniachtchi au lieu des plus incisifs 3.Cc3 ou 3.e5.} c5 {La Tarrasch ouverte.} 4. Ngf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. N2f3 Be7 $5 ({Le grand coup est} 7... Bb4+ 8. Bd2 O-O 9. Bxb4 (9. c4 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Nf6 11. Be2 e5 12. Nc2 Nc6 13. O-O Bf5 {½- ½(32) Zhao,J (2616)-Wei,Y (2727) CHN-chT China 2017}) 9... Nxb4 10. c3 N4c6 11. Nb5 Nd7 12. Be2 Nf6 13. O-O a6 {½-½ (31) Dgebuadze,A (2521)-Eingorn,V (2558) Metz op 29th 2011}) 8. Bc4 Nc6 $5 {Une nouveauté jouée très vite, alors que Ian Nepomniachtchi a commencé à prendre du temps depuis le sixième coup. 1h42-1h53.} 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. O-O O-O 11. Qe2 {Par interversion des coups, nous retrouvons une dernière partie dans la base : Kruppa,Y (2455)-Dokhoian,Y (2530) URS-ch Uzhgorod 1987.} Bb7 {Après 17 minutes.} 12. Bd3 (12. Ne5 Qc7 13. Bd2 Bd6 14. f4 c5 15. Rae1 {0-1 (41) Kruppa,Y (2455)-Dokhoian,Y (2530) URS-ch U26 Uzhgorod 1987}) 12... Qc7 {Anish Giri : « Je crois que le fait que [Ding] ait avoué ses inquiétudes au début du match ne montre pas du tout une faiblesse. Tout le monde a ces inquiétudes, mais le fait que vous soyez confiant pour les partager est plus un signe de force. »} 13. Qe4 {De l'avis de la plupart des commentateurs, Ding Liren avait jusqu'ici obtenu une très bonne position. Cependant, le prochain coup du Chinois va compliquer les choses.} Nf6 $6 {Ian Nepomniachtchi semblait heureux de voir le coup de son adversaire.} ({L'alternative était évidemment} 13... g6 $1 {qui avait la préférence de la machine.} 14. Bh6 Rfd8) 14. Qh4 {Et ici nous avons commencé à nous inquiéter pour le Chinois. Ce type de positions, avec des possibilités d'attaque directe sur le Roi, correspond exactement au style de Ian Nepomniachtchi. Étienne Bacrot, joueur de Française, reconnaissait que c'est le problème quand on a pas l'habitude de jouer une ouverture.} c5 15. Bf4 $1 {Le coup que Ding Liren n'a sans doute pas envisagé assez sérieusement en jouant son Cavalier en f6 au lieu de 13...g6.} (15. Bg5 $6 {avec l'idée d'échanger le Cavalier puis de mater en h7 est inférieur.} h6 16. Bxh6 (16. Bf4 $6 Qc6 17. Be5 Nd7 18. Qg3 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Qc7 {et les Noirs sont très bien.}) 16... gxh6 17. Qxh6 c4 18. Qg5+ Kh8 19. Qh6+ Kg8 20. Qg5+ $11 {avec une partie nulle par répétition de la position.}) 15... Qb6 (15... Qd8 $5 16. Rad1 Bxf3 17. gxf3 c4 18. Be4 Nxe4 19. Rxd8 Bxh4 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 21. fxe4 $11) 16. Ne5 {Ian Nepomniachtchi est dans son élément et répond a tempo. De son côté, la moindre imprécision de Ding Liren lui coûtera la partie ! La menace blanche est simplement de jouer 17.Cd7! et 1-0.} Rad8 $1 {Seul coup pour rester dans la partie, après 16 minutes. 1h18-0h43. Avec quatre pièces blanches à l'attaque, Ding Liren n'a pas le droit à l'erreur.} 17. Rae1 $5 {Inattendu, après 13 minutes. Même si Ian Nepomniachtchi ajoute une cinquième pièce à l'attaque, avec l'idée Te3-Tg3, le Russe avait d'autres options sans doute plus forçantes.} g6 ({Sesse.net préférait la ligne tactique} 17... Ba6 18. c4 Rxd3 $1 19. Nxd3 Nd5 20. Bg5 Bxg5 21. Qxg5 Bxc4 22. Rd1) 18. Bg5 $6 {Une imprécision ! Fabiano Caruana : « Cette partie devient très intéressante et à double tranchant. Les Noirs pourraient rester sous pression, ou si l'initiative des Blancs s'évaporait, ils pourraient prendre le dessus à long terme. »} (18. Bh6 $5) (18. Ng4 $5) (18. Qh3 $5) 18... Rd4 $1 {A tempo !} 19. Qh3 Qc7 {Le temps entre en jeu : 1h01-0h25.} (19... Nd5 $5 {était aussi possible.}) 20. b3 {Pour empêcher que les Noirs ne jouent ...c4. Après 16 minutes.} (20. c3 Rd5 21. f4 {et il semble que} c4 $1 {soit important, mais vraiment difficile à trouver. La position est remarquablement complexe. Fabiano Caruana}) 20... Nh5 {En 1 minute. Selon les machines Ding Liren a résolu ses problèmes. Ou pour le dire autrement : les Noirs ne se feront plus mater ! Anish Giri : « Après 20.b3!? Ch5! à moins qu'il n'y ait un suivi solide [des Blancs], je commence à penser que les Noirs vont prendre le relais. »} 21. f4 $5 Bd6 $5 {Daniel King : « Position très tendue. Les deux camps tentent d'attaquer, les deux camps ont des options pour sacrifier. Tout peut arriver dans la prochaine demi-heure. »} ({Le coup des machines} 21... Bxg5 $5 {menait à des positions extrêmement compliquées et tactiques avec des « seuls coups » un peu partout ! Par exemple :} 22. fxg5 Nf4 23. Qh6 c4 24. Ng4 f5 25. Nf6+ Rxf6 26. gxf6 cxd3 27. Rxf4 Rxf4 28. f7+ Qxf7 29. Qxf4 dxc2 30. Qc4 Be4 31. Qc8+ Kg7 32. Rxe4 fxe4 33. Qxc2) 22. c3 Nxf4 $1 {Malgré tout, nous entrons dans une ligne avec des « seuls coups » à trouver, sans oublier une pression à la pendule pour les deux joueurs : 0h25-0h21} 23. Bxf4 $6 ({Le plus précis était} 23. Rxf4 $1 Bxe5 24. Bxg6 $1 hxg6 25. cxd4 cxd4 26. Bf6 $5 Bxf6 27. Rxf6 Kg7 28. Qh4 Rh8 $1 29. Qf4 Qxf4 30. Rxf4) 23... Rxf4 24. Rxf4 Bxe5 25. Rh4 Rd8 {Les trois derniers coups ont été joués a tempo par les deux belligérants.} 26. Be4 {Logiquement, les Blancs veulent échanger le dangereux Fou ennemi.} Bxe4 (26... Bc8 $5) (26... Ba6 $5) 27. Rhxe4 Rd5 28. Rh4 $5 {Avec 16 minutes à la pendule.} (28. Rf1 $5) 28... Qd6 $1 {Ding Liren contre-attaque avec 12 minutes à la pendule.} 29. Qe3 $1 h5 $1 30. g3 $1 {Les deux joueurs enchaînent les meilleurs coups. C'est jusqu'ici la meilleure partie du championnat du monde !} Bf6 31. Rc4 h4 $5 {Ding Liren joue pour le gain !} (31... Bg5 32. Qf3 Kg7) 32. gxh4 $1 {Ding Liren est surpris par ce coup et laisse filer pratiquement tout son temps !} Rd2 $6 {Avec 45 secondes ! Ding a craqué !} (32... Be5 33. Qe2 Bf4 34. Re4 Rd2 35. Qf3 Bxh2+ $15) 33. Re2 Rd3 $4 (33... Rd1+ 34. Kg2 Rd5 {tenait encore.}) 34. Qxc5 Rd1+ 35. Kg2 Qd3 36. Rf2 Kg7 37. Rcf4 Qxc3 {Et les Noirs abandonnent avec 3 secondes à la pendule.} 1-0 [Event "Nepo - Ding, WCC 2023: Game 7 - Nepo v L"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.04.18"] [Round "?"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C07"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/rowrulz"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] {[%evp 0,73,43,43,36,30,24,10,12,31,31,24,13,20,39,39,48,34,34,21,21,21,13,21,16,-4,6,20,17,8,13,13,7,27,27,18,7,7,19,19,17,11,13,1,21,33,33,41,19,29,29,-84,29,26,0,0,0,-34,48,41,47,28,28,28,18,0,74,74,129,128,192,188,188,188,368,372] The most dramatic game of the match so far. Ding's time management finally bites. Ding springs another surprise in the opening but Nepo reacts well and we get a big fight on the board. Black's position looked very uncomfortable from a human perspective with lots of tactics and sacrifices in the air but Ding played extremely well and managed to outplay Nepo emerging with a slightly better position at move 31. But Ding froze and used nearly all of his remaining 8 minutes on moves 31 and 32 and furthermore unnecessarily sharpened play at the most inopportune moment before quickly collapsing. A hugely dramatic collapse and a mini-tragedy for Ding. Nepo leads 4-3 at the half way stage.} 1. e4 e6 {The French - a surprise! Ding has played the French when he was younger but has a reputation as a loyal 1...e5 player (though he has dabbled post-covid with the Sicilian)} 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 {Nepo goes for the more solid Tarrasch. Nepo himself has used the French, for example during the 2020 Candidates} c5 4. Ngf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. N2f3 Be7 8. Bc4 Nc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. O-O O-O 11. Qe2 Bb7 12. Bd3 Qc7 13. Qe4 Nf6 $6 {Objectively fine but dubious practically as now white's position is much easier to play} (13... g6 {Keeping the knight in the centre} 14. Bh6 Rfd8 15. h4 $6 c5 {and black's counterplay is coming}) 14. Qh4 c5 15. Bf4 (15. Bg5 h6 (15... Rfe8 $5 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Qxh7+ Kf8 {is close to equal according to the engine}) 16. Bxh6 gxh6 17. Qxh6 {Threatening Ng5} c4 {Is one possible defence forcing a perpeptual now from white} 18. Qg5+ $10) 15... Qb6 (15... Qd8 16. Rad1 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Qd5) 16. Ne5 {No hesitation from Nepo, plays the most direct and best move. Black's position is very precarious, certainly from a practical point of view.} (16. Bxh7+ $6 Nxh7 17. Qxe7 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Rfe8 19. Qc7 Qxb2 20. Qxc5 {I} Rac8 {Is very fine for black, white is temporarily a pawn up but his structure is a mess}) 16... Rad8 $1 {Ding spent 16 minutes on this, the best move, going down to 45 minutes to make 24 moves which in such a complex position is not very comfortable. Now White has lots of options here apart from the most direct Ng4 or Bxh7+.} 17. Rae1 {A logical strengthening move not allowing the position to simplify prematurely and trying to keep some pressure on the clock.} (17. Ng4 {the most direct} Rxd3 $1 (17... h5 {Ding mentioned in the press conference this was how he was going to meet Ng4 and was non-plussed about the 17...Rxd3 possibility} 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Qxh5 g6 20. Qg4 {This is also an interesting idea, black gives up a pawn to release some pressure and gain some slight counterplay - here black has a few interesting possibilities}) 18. cxd3 Nd5 19. Qg3 (19. Bg5 $2 f6 20. Be3 f5 $19) 19... h5 20. Ne3 h4 21. Qg4 Nxf4 22. Qxf4 h3) (17. Bxh7+ Nxh7 18. Qxe7 f6 19. Rad1 $1 {white has to be careful to keep the balance} (19. Nd3 e5 20. Be3 Qc6 21. f3 Rd5 $1 $19 {white's queen is in mortal danger}) 19... Rde8 (19... fxe5 $2 20. Bxe5 Nf6 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Bc7 $16) 20. Qd7 Rd8) (17. Rad1) (17. Rfe1) (17. Bg5 Rd4 18. Qh3) 17... g6 (17... Ba6 $1 {Eliminating one of white's most potent attacking pieces - however it only makes sense in conjunction with the exchange sacrifice after 18.c4 and the not-so-easy followup} 18. c4 (18. Bxa6 Qxa6 19. Bh6 {Begins an interesting sequence which should end in a draw} gxh6 20. Qxh6 Qb7 $1 21. Re3 Ne4 22. Rh3 Ng5 23. Rg3 f6 24. Ng6 $1 {only move to secure a draw}) (18. Re3 $2 Bxd3 19. cxd3 $2 Nd5 $19) 18... Rxd3 $1 (18... Rd4 {Is also playable but looks very dangerous} 19. Re3 Rfd8 20. Rg3 g6 {is 0.00 according to engine!, eg,} 21. Rxg6+ hxg6 22. Bxg6 fxg6 23. Qh6 Bf8 24. Qxg6+ Bg7 25. Qf7+ Kh8 26. Bh6 Rg8 27. Ng6+ Kh7 28. Nf8+ $10) 19. Nxd3 {Now there are some tactics to navigate} Nd5 $1 {[%csl Rh4,Rf4]} (19... Bxc4 $6 20. Bd6 $1 $16) 20. Bg5 Bxg5 21. Qxg5 Bxc4 22. Rd1 Bxa2 {With a roughly level game}) 18. Bg5 (18. Ng4 {has to be checked} Nd5) (18. Re3 $2 Nd5) (18. Qh3 $5) 18... Rd4 19. Qh3 Qc7 {Is a useful move defending e7 and putting some pressure on e5} (19... Nd5 $5 20. Nd7 {Now black has a nice counter} (20. Bxe7 Nxe7 {[%csl Rf6,Rh6] And whilst black has released some pressure with an exchange of pieces - The dark squares around the black king are still of concern}) 20... Nf4 $1 21. Bxf4 Rxd7 $10 {and the worst is over for black}) 20. b3 (20. c3 Rd5 21. f4 {and here there is a very difficult pawn sacrifice} c4 $1 22. Nxc4 {and here black has a few interesting options - to be honest the position is hard to understand, it is almost purely tactics - a sample line goes} h5 23. Ne5 Qc5+ 24. Kh1 Ng4 $1) (20. Bh6 {Needs to be checked but here Black should sac the exchange} c4 $1 (20... Rfd8 $2 21. Nxf7 $1) 21. Bxf8 Bxf8 22. Nxc4 Rxc4 23. Bxc4 Qxc4 $17) 20... Nh5 21. f4 $5 (21. Bh6 Nf4 22. Bxf4 (22. Qg3 $2 Bh4 $1 (22... Nxd3 23. Nxg6 {The commentators were having fun with this line} Qxg3 24. Nxe7+ Kh8 25. fxg3 Nxe1 26. Bxf8 Nxc2) 23. Qxh4 Ne2+ 24. Rxe2 Rxh4 25. Bxf8 Kxf8 $17) 22... Rxf4 23. Qg3 g5 $1 $13 {Only move with an unclear position. Black's kingside looks precarious but black has the bishop pair and good long term chances} (23... Rd4 24. Nxg6 $1 $18)) 21... Bd6 (21... Bxg5 {Was the computers top choice but it is understandable Ding didn't want to weaken his dark squares} 22. fxg5 Nf4 23. Qh6 {With another crazy position on the board} c4 $3 {Freeing up the c5 square for the queen which gives more bite to the ...Bxg2 idea} (23... Bxg2 24. Rxf4 Rxf4 25. Kxg2 {is better for white (but still complicated)}) 24. bxc4 $2 (24. Ng4 f5 {only move} 25. Nf6+ Rxf6 26. gxf6 cxd3 27. Rxf4 Rxf4 28. f7+ $1 Qxf7 29. Qxf4 dxc2 {here it is a question whether white can make a draw due to the exposed position of the black king}) 24... Qc5 $1) 22. c3 Nxf4 $1 (22... Rd5 $6 23. Be4 Rd2 24. Bxb7 Qxb7 25. f5 $1 $40) 23. Bxf4 $6 (23. Rxf4 $1 Bxe5 24. Bxg6 $1 hxg6 25. cxd4 cxd4 $1 {and black is holding, the most direct try for white is Rxe5} (25... Bxf4 $2 26. Bf6 $18) 26. Rxe5 (26. Bf6 Bxf6 27. Rxf6 Kg7) 26... Qxe5 27. Bf6 Qe1+ 28. Rf1 Qe3+ $10) 23... Rxf4 24. Rxf4 Bxe5 {With the bishop pair and a pawn black has enough for the exchange} 25. Rh4 Rd8 26. Be4 Bxe4 (26... Ba6 $5 {Was the top engine move} 27. Rxh7 Bg7 {This seems like a very unclear way to go when short on time - black is a whole exchange down but white's pieces are very loosely placed and the black king is safe. The engine prefers black}) 27. Rhxe4 {Giri explained that after exchanging one of his 'bishop pair' black was taking some risk as if white can coordinate then he is an exchange for a pawn up with winning chances} Rd5 {Keeping the bishop actively posted in the centre} (27... Bg7 $6 {Removing the pressure against h2 means white can start to centralise and coordinate} 28. Qe3 $14) 28. Rh4 (28. c4 Bd4+) 28... Qd6 $1 29. Qe3 (29. Rxh7 $4 Rd1 30. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 31. Kf2 Qd2+ 32. Kf1 Bxc3 $19) 29... h5 30. g3 {Defending h2 and freeing up the h4 rook} Bf6 31. Rc4 {It is clear now that the tide has turned and only black can be better. However Ding got down to under 6 minutes and was visibly uncomfortable and indecisive.} h4 {Commital - there were certainly ways to try and build the position and certainly ways to stay more solid in the build up to the time control. Interestingly in the press conference Ding justified the decision by suggesting he felt he had to do something now whilst he had the initiative as if he waited white could end up better. This seems like strange logic as Nepo's view is that black can only be better and doesn't have to do much. It is ironic that Ding's collapse comes at Ding's highest point in the entire match} (31... Bg5 $15) (31... a5 $15) (31... Kg7 $15) 32. gxh4 {Here Ding literally froze and was unable to make a move. Finally he played ...Rd2 with just 45 seconds remaining to make another 8 moves! This is essentially the critical moment of the game - it is hard to even physically make this many moves in 45 seconds but even harder to avoid a blunder in a sharp position. This is really} (32. Qf4) 32... Rd2 $6 (32... Be5) 33. Re2 (33. Qg3 {is suggested by the engine but looks much messier} Qd5 34. Rf1 Be5 35. Qf3 Bxh2+ 36. Kh1 Qxf3+ 37. Rxf3 {With a sharp endgame}) 33... Rd3 $4 (33... Rd5 {It was best to go back and stay solid even though this would be an admittance}) (33... Rd1+ 34. Kg2 {Ding mentioned he's missed this continuation for white before playing ...h4}) 34. Qxc5 $1 {I'm not even sure what Ding missed here, by now it's clear he'd had a complete meltdown} Rd1+ (34... Qxc5+ 35. Rxc5 Bxc3 {Was the last chance - white must be winning here but it still needs to be converted}) (34... Bd4+ {Nepo mentioned this in the press conference, but it doesn't work !} 35. cxd4 (35. Qxd4 Rxd4 {leads to an interesting endgame where black's chances are not worse}) 35... Rd1+ 36. Kg2 Qf4 37. Qe5 $1 {Only winning move, and only move which doesn't lose} Qg4+ 38. Kf2 Qg1+ 39. Kf3 Rf1+ 40. Ke4 $18 {the white king escapes}) 35. Kg2 Qd3 36. Rf2 Kg7 37. Rcf4 {Black resigned. A disaster for ding who had seemingly survived a difficult situation and had reached the best situation he has had in the entire match so far. Another tough blow to come back from but he has already done so twice so let's see!} 1-0 [Event "FIDE World Chess Championship 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.04.18"] [Round "7"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "*"] [ECO "C07"] [WhiteElo "2795"] [BlackElo "2788"] [Annotator "pigle"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "7200+30"] {[%evp 0,74,19,38,30,51,38,22,46,45,24,-3,9,6,39,38,41,29,20,28,27,27,17,16,25,19,36,10,16,6,22,32,16,43,53,-7,40,10,17,17,70,-1,0,6,82,23,23,11,11,11,5,-84,38,38,23,45,0,-4,43,37,46,37,48,26,15,31,74,66,162,132,190,184,184,179,352,355,370]} 1. e4 e6 {Yesterday it was the London System and today it's the French Defense, which was missing for a long time in world championship matches. Did Ding Liren finally show the best opening repertoire for chess players of all levels $2} 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 {Nepomniachtchi decides not to test his opponent in the most critical lines, instead aiming for a small and safe advantage.} c5 {Definitely Black's best move in this position.} 4. Ngf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 (5... Nc6 {is more popular, but Ding's move has been tried by many strong players.}) 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. N2f3 Be7 (7... Bb4+ {is also frequently played.}) 8. Bc4 Nc6 {This is a new move in this position, although there will be a move transposition later on. In any case, the position becomes unfamiliar very soon, something of a trend in this match. Although Black now gets three \"pawn islands,\" he gets the b-file and good piece development in return. The usually bad French bishop now can be developed on b7.} (8... O-O 9. O-O Bf6 10. c3 Nc6 {later ended in a draw in Kramnik-Illescas Cordoba, Dos Hermanas 1996.}) 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. O-O O-O 11. Qe2 Bb7 12. Bd3 $146 {This sensible move, preparing the typical queen and bishop battery, is a novelty.} (12. Ne5 Qc7 13. Bd2 Bd6 14. f4 c5 {This was played in Kruppa-Dokhoian, Uzhgorod 1987. At the press conference, Ding said he didn't know this game.}) 12... Qc7 13. Qe4 {This is the idea. Black has to either allow the queen to h4 or give the h6-square to the bishop.} Nf6 (13... g6 {is the option.} 14. Bh6 Rfe8 {with a complicated game.}) 14. Qh4 c5 15. Bf4 Qb6 16. Ne5 Rad8 17. Rae1 {It's not clear whether this is the right square for the rook.} (17. Rad1 {Without some hours of analysis it's impossible to determine whether the rook is better placed here. Black's options are, just like in the game, 17...g6 or 17...Ba6.} g6 (17... Ba6 18. c4 {In this case Black cannot sacrifice the exchange on d3.} Rd4 {with a complex game.}) 18. Qh3) (17. Ng4 {Asked about his intentions against this move, Ding said he would reply with 17...h5. Not a bad move, but the exchange sacrifice on d3 is better.} Rxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (17... h5 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Qxh5 g6 20. Qg4 Rd4 {Black has decent compensation for the pawn.}) 18. cxd3 Nd5 19. Qg3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20. Ne3 h4 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Qe3 Qb7 23. f3 h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with excellent compensation for the exchange.}) 17... g6 (17... Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a very good move, exchanging White's dangerous bishop. The main point is that after} 18. c4 (18. Bxa6 {is not dangerous for Black, as without this bishop there's no attack.}) 18... Rxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. Nxd3 Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move. The immediate capture on c4 meets a pretty refutation.} (19... Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20. Bd6 $3 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A wonderful move that seems taken from Dvoretsky's exercises card. I'd say this is a level four exercise (five was the maximum and it usually meant the exercise was impossible to solve, at least for me).} Qxd6 (20... Bxd3 21. Bxe7 Bxf1 22. Bxf8 Kxf8 23. Rxf1 Qxb2 24. Qc4 {with an easy win for White.}) 21. Qxc4 {Black's compensation is not enough for the exchange.}) 20. Bg5 Bxg5 21. Qxg5 Bxc4 22. Rd1 {Black has a good position and many possibilities now.}) 18. Bg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This doesn't look very impressive due to Black's next move.} (18. Ng4 {is very tempting, but enough only for equality.} Nd5 19. Bg5 (19. Be5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} f6 (19... Bxh4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 20. Nh6#) 20. Qh6 fxe5 (20... Rf7 {Black can also play for a win with this move.}) 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kh8 {There's no more than perpetual check.}) 19... f6 20. Qh6 fxg5 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kh8 {with a draw.}) (18. Bh6 {is possible:} Rfe8 19. Qh3 {White retains some initiative.}) (18. Qh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is probably the most cunning move, preventing Rd4, eyeing the pawn on e6, and retaining all options open.}) 18... Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forced and good. The f-pawn naturally cannot move due to the problems with the king on the diagonal, so the queen has to move.} 19. Qh3 (19. Qh6 {The queen is not as dangerous here as it looks. A possible variation, if the reader doesn't mind its obvious computer nature, is:} Ng4 {This now starts a fantastic line with many forced moves for both sides.} 20. Nxg4 Rxg4 21. Bxe7 Rxg2+ 22. Kh1 {The windmill is not decisive this time.} Rxf2+ 23. Be4 Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 Bxe4+ 25. Kg1 c4+ (25... Rd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 26. Rf2 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Otherwise Black is mated on the dark squares.} 27. Bxd8 Qxd8 {And again the machine laughs at us, showing the 0.00 evaluation.}) 19... Qc7 {The queen returns to protect the bishop on e7, freeing the knight. It also prepares the c5-c4 advance.} (19... Nd5 {leads to equality, thanks to a nice tactical detail.} 20. Nd7 (20. Bxe7 Nxe7 {is roughly equal.}) 20... Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is it.} 21. Bxf4 Rxd7) 20. b3 {Nepomniachtchi avoids c5-c4. The position is extremely complex and there are many possibilities for both sides on each move.} (20. Bh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake. After} c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. Bxf8 Kxf8 22. Bxc4 (22. Be2 Qxe5) 22... Rxc4 23. Nxc4 Qxc4 {The three pieces are much stronger than two rooks.}) (20. c3 {is very natural.} Rd5 21. f4 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important move according to the machine. Black has to sacrifice a pawn to get counterplay.} 22. Nxc4 (22. Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Rd2) 22... Rfd8 23. Ne5 Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 {With adequate compensation for the pawn, since Black's pieces are very active and f7-f6 is a threat.}) 20... Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. f4 {A double-edged move typical of Nepomniachtchi's dynamic style.} (21. Bxe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] plays into Black's hands.} Qxe7 {The knight is going to f4 and Black's position is preferable.}) (21. Bh6 Re8 {The position remains complicated. I'm a big fan of pretty drawing lines, so here I offer one:} (21... Rh4 {is also possible, with a tense position after} 22. Qe3) 22. Bc4 (22. Nxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This typical sacrifice has a tactical refutation.} Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning immediately.}) 22... Rh4 23. Qxe6 fxe6 24. Bxe6+ Kh8 25. Nf7+ Kg8 {with perpetual check.}) 21... Bd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This move is based on some very accurate calculation.} (21... Bxg5 {is interesting and leads to a draw after a nice forcing variation.} 22. fxg5 Nf4 23. Qh6 (23. Rxf4 Rxf4 {White's dark-square compensation is not enough for the exchange, although even so it looks a bit scary after} 24. Qe3 Rd4 25. c3 Rdd8 26. Ng4) 23... c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maybe this difficult move was missed.} (23... Nxg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24. Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) (23... Bxg2 24. Rxf4 Rxf4 25. Kxg2 {is better for White.}) 24. Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has to be fast.} (24. bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning attack.}) 24... f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense.} 25. Nf6+ Rxf6 26. gxf6 cxd3 27. Rxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxf4 28. f7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxf7 (28... Kxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29. Qxh7+) 29. Qxf4 dxc2 {The bishop will come to e4 and the c2-pawn gives enough compensation for the exchange. The game will likely end in a draw.}) 22. c3 Nxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the justification of the previous move.} 23. Bxf4 (23. Rxf4 {is safer. It's not clear to me whether Nepomniachtchi was still trying to win, but most probably he missed White's next move, 24.Bxg6, in his analysis.} Bxe5 24. Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult resource is forced.} hxg6 (24... fxg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25. Qxe6+) 25. cxd4 cxd4 {with chances for both sides. Again I offer the reader a nice drawing variation:} (25... Bxf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26. Bf6) 26. Rxe5 Qxe5 27. Bf6 Qe1+ 28. Rf1 Qe3+ {Black is saved by the queen exchange.} 29. Qxe3 dxe3 30. Re1 Rc8 31. Rxe3 Rc1+ 32. Kf2 Rc2+ 33. Re2 (33. Ke1 Bxg2) 33... Rxe2+ 34. Kxe2 Bxg2 {with a drawn endgame.}) 23... Rxf4 24. Rxf4 Bxe5 {Black has excellent compensation for the exchange: a pawn, active bishops, and mobile pawns on the kingside.} 25. Rh4 Rd8 (25... h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is tactically refuted by} 26. Bxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 26. Be4 {The best strategy when your opponent has the bishop pair is trying to exchange one of them. The sum is greater than the parts.} Bxe4 {It's interesting to retain this bishop even at the cost of the h-pawn.} (26... Bc8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 27. Rxh7 Bg7) (26... Ba6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 27. Rxh7 Bg7 {In both cases, the rook is out of place on h7 and Black's initiative might become dangerous. Maybe White should just give the exchange back by taking on g7 at some point, playing for equality.}) 27. Rhxe4 Rd5 28. Rh4 {Other moves are possible.} (28. R4e2) (28. Rf1) 28... Qd6 29. Qe3 (29. Rxh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is suicide as you can´t misplace such a piece just for the sake of capturing a pawn.} Rd1) 29... h5 {Black has a comfortable position, with adequate compensation for the exchange. His position is slightly better, but from now on the main character of the game will be the clock and not the pieces.} 30. g3 Bf6 31. Rc4 h4 {Ding burned a lot of time on this move. Maybe it would be wiser to play a simple move like 31...Kg7. But let's be honest: it's always easier to give advice once the game is over.} (31... Kg7) (31... Bg5) (31... Re5 32. Qf2 Rf5) 32. gxh4 (32. Qf4 {is also possible, fighting for equality.}) 32... Rd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A step in the wrong direction.} (32... Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black some unpleasant pressure.} 33. Qf2 (33. Qe2 Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] preparing Rd2.}) 33... Rd2 34. Re2 Rd3 {Preparing Rh3 or simply taking on c3. Black has the initiative. It's important to note that the c5-pawn is immune.} 35. Qxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (35. Rxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bxh2+) 35... Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36. Rxh2 Qg3+ 37. Rg2 Rd1#) 33. Re2 (33. Qg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 33... Rd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The rook had to go back to d5. In deep time trouble, Ding completely loses the thread of the game.} (33... Rd1+ 34. Kg2 Rd5) (33... Rd5 {The position is still balanced.}) 34. Qxc5 {There's no attack and the game is over after losing this important pawn with only a few seconds on the clock.} Rd1+ (34... Qxc5+ 35. Rxc5 Bxc3 36. Kg2 {The endgame is easily winning.}) 35. Kg2 Qd3 36. Rf2 {White's king is well protected.} Kg7 37. Rcf4 Qxc3 {Ding resigned. A heartbreaking loss and another decisive game in one of the bloodiest matches in chess history. The point might be argued that the level of defense has been poor and this is the main reason why there are so many decisive games. I agree with this argument, but that's exactly what I like to see as a spectator. Tense games where one of the players can crack under pressure. I'd rather watch this than a streak of perfect games all leading to a draw.} (37... Qxc3 38. Qxc3 Bxc3 39. Rxf7+ Kh6 40. Rxa7 Bd4 41. Rd7) * [Event "WCh 2023"] [Site "Astana KAZ"] [Date "2023.04.18"] [Round "7.1"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Ding Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C07"] [Annotator "Crowther,Mark"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2023.04.09"] {[%evp 0,74,28,25,31,22,24,26,30,20,39,11,6,1,30,26,36,19,19,15,15,18,18,17,12,14,14,0,0,16,26,20,36,76,75,12,24,-2,0,0,0,0,0,4,19,28,28,31,31,27,26,-80,-4,-4,0,0,0,0,36,36,21,20,20,20,20,0,70,70,127,130,192,192,188,185,349,399,392]} 1. e4 e6 $1 {Another surprise.} 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 {3.Nc3 is regarded as the major test of the French. 3.Nd2 is more controlled.} c5 4. Ngf3 (4. exd5 Qxd5 {has a very good theoretical reputation.}) 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. N2f3 {Nepomniachtchi has had this position a few times online.} Be7 8. Bc4 Nc6 {A novelty, black mostly castles here.} 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. O-O O-O {Both players seem to have been on their own here.} 11. Qe2 Bb7 {After a 17 minute thought.} (11... Qc7) (11... c5) 12. Bd3 Qc7 13. Qe4 Nf6 {Was preferred by the engines, there's not much in it.} (13... g6 14. Bh6 Rfd8) 14. Qh4 c5 $5 {Probably best but costing 21 minutes on the clock.} 15. Bf4 Qb6 {Another 5 minute thought.} (15... Qd8 {is seen by the engine as best but putting it on the open file is just not at all human.}) 16. Ne5 Rad8 {16 minutes thought and now just 43 minutes left for Ding to reach move 40.} 17. Rae1 g6 18. Bg5 $6 (18. Qh3 {is better.}) 18... Rd4 {Played very quickly.} 19. Qh3 Qc7 20. b3 (20. c3) 20... Nh5 21. f4 Bd6 {Nepomniachtchi praised this move but it's not even clear it's best.} (21... Bf6) 22. c3 Nxf4 23. Bxf4 Rxf4 24. Rxf4 Bxe5 {Black has full compensation for the exchange. 20 minutes left for 16 moves. Already this is quite serious for black.} 25. Rh4 Rd8 26. Be4 Bxe4 (26... Ba6) 27. Rhxe4 Rd5 (27... Bf4 $5) 28. Rh4 Qd6 29. Qe3 h5 $1 {Black is the one with the initiative but it's not so very much still objextively and with 11 minutes left black doesn't have much time.} 30. g3 Bf6 31. Rc4 h4 $6 {Not yet losing but based on a miscalculation that completely undoes Ding. In time trouble he more solid ways of playing. Most likely he'd already lost his composure here.} (31... Bd8 {is best probably.}) (31... Kg7) 32. gxh4 {It seems Ding didn't think this was possible.} Rd2 $2 {The question mark is mostly for the 5 minutes Ding took over this leaving himself 44 seconds for 8 moves. The chances of an accident are now so high that this can be regarded as nearly losing for black.} (32... Be5 {is the best move.}) 33. Re2 Rd3 $2 {Judging from Ding's comments he was playing for a win, he'd found Rd1+ didn't work but in fact it's OK in terms of holding the game.} (33... Rd1+ 34. Kg2 Rd5 35. Rf2 Qe7 {is still OK for black.}) (33... Rd5) 34. Qxc5 {It's already over. Black's position falls apart.} Rd1+ 35. Kg2 Qd3 36. Rf2 Kg7 37. Rcf4 Qxc3 {Played with 3 seconds remaining. Ding resigned before he lost on time. His position is in ruins.} 1-0
Embed code:
Game Url: