[Event "FIDE World Championship 2023"] [Site "Astana"] [Date "2023.04.16"] [Round "6"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2788"] [BlackElo "2795"] [Annotator "Europe-Echecs"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2023.04.09"] [EventType "match"] [EventCountry "KAZ"] [SourceTitle "europe-echecs.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 Nf6 (1... d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 {est le système Rapport-Jobava des GMI Richard Rapport et Baadur Jobava.}) 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 {Le « système » de Londres, une ouverture caractérisée par les coups blancs d4, Ff4 et Cf3 dont l'ordre des coups peut varier.} c5 4. e3 {Anish Giri a expliqué que le système de Londres n'est pas plus populaire parce qu'il offre beaucoup d'options aux Noirs, et qu'il est difficile de toutes les connaître.} Nc6 5. Nbd2 {Le joueur britannique James Mason a été le premier partisan connu du système de Londres, joué lors d'un tournoi international au Central Hall de Westminster en 1922.} cxd4 6. exd4 Bf5 {Les abonnés au Pack Intégral auront à leur disposition le 18 avril 2023 une vidéo de Romuald De Labaca, dans sa série « Les ouvertures en vogue » : Répertoire facile contre le système de Londres.} 7. c3 e6 8. Bb5 ({Plus fréquent est} 8. Qb3 Bd6 9. Qxb7 Bxf4 10. Qxc6+ Kf8 11. Ne5 Rb8 12. Qc5+ Kg8 {etc.}) 8... Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 h6 $5 {Un nouveau coup, mais il ne reste plus que des blitz dans la base. « Ce coup n'est pas bon parce qu'il permet aux Blancs de jouer leur Cavalier en e5. » Vladislav Tkachiev} (11... Qc7 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Bxd7 Qxd7 15. Nb3 Rac8 16. Nd4 {1-0 (46) Kamsky,G (2664)-Yuan,Q (2373) Titled Tue INT 2023}) (11... Rfc8 12. a4 h6 13. a5 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Nd2 Bf5 16. Qa4 a6 17. Bf1 {1-0 (45) Kamsky,G (2672)-Ronka,E (2303) Titled Tuesday INT blitz 2020}) (11... a6 12. Bxc6 Qxc6 13. Ne5 Qc7 14. a4 a5 15. g4 Bg6 16. h4 Nd7 17. h5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 {1-0 (51) Kamsky,G (2664)-Matlakov,M (2662) Titled Tue INT blitz 2023}) 12. Ne5 {Pour avoir pris du temps au huitième coup pour 8.Fb5, nous avions cru que Ding Liren était déjà hors préparation. Toutefois, le Chinois joue désormais assez rapidement.} Ne7 {Après 10 minutes.} 13. a4 {A tempo.} a6 $5 {[%csl Yb6] Affaiblit la case b6, ce qui va avoir son importance, et donc la case c5.} 14. Bf1 Nd7 $6 {Un coup joué très vite qui a fait sursauter bon nombre de commentateurs.} (14... a5 $1 {était stratégiquement indispensable.}) 15. Nxd7 $1 Qxd7 16. a5 $1 {[%CAl Yd2b3,Yb3c5,Rb7b6] Voilà ce que les Noirs devaient empêcher. Le plan des Blancs est maintenant de placer un Cavalier indélogeable sur la case c5, via b3. — Anish Giri pense que les deux derniers coups de Nepomniachtchi étaient des erreurs positionnelles et que Ding est clairement mieux après 15.Cxd7 et 16.a5. « C'est une position horrible pour les Noirs ! »} Qc7 17. Qf3 $1 {[%csl Gc3][%CAl Yb2b4,Yf3g3,Yg3c7] « J'adore ce coup ! 1. Les Blancs défendent le pion c3 et vont pouvoir pousser b4 et 2. Les Blancs peuvent maintenant envisager Dg3 pour échanger les Dames avec une très bonne finale. » Vladislav Tkachiev} Rfc8 {1h27-1h24 — Anish Giri est très optimiste pour le joueur chinois : « C'est encore tôt, mais je vais le dire quand-même ; je pense que les fans de Ding peuvent se préparer pour les célébrations... »} 18. Ra3 {[%csl Gc3][%CAl Yb2b4,Ye1a1,Yd2b3,Yb3c5]} Bg6 {[%csl Gc4,Ge4][%CAl Ye7f5,Yf5d6,Yd6e4,Yd6c4] Avec l'idée de placer le Cavalier en d6 via la case f5.} 19. Nb3 ({Sesse.net préférait empêcher le Cavalier de se rendre en f5 par} 19. g4) 19... Nc6 20. Qg3 Qe7 $6 {Encore une imprécision jouée très vite, en 37 secondes.} 21. h4 $5 {Une idée très profonde que nous n'avons pas compris avant la réponse de Ian Nepomniachtchi.} (21. Nc5 $6 {ne fonctionnait pas à cause de} Nxa5 $1 22. Rxa5 (22. Nxe6 Rc6 $1 {[%csl Re1,Re6]} 23. Rxa5 Rxe6) 22... b6) (21. Raa1 $5 {était la suggestion de la machine.}) 21... Re8 $6 {Après ce coup, imprécis, 22.Cc5! est très fort.} 22. Nc5 $1 {Avec un clair avantage blanc !} e5 $5 {Cette poussée est la suite logique des coups 20...De7 et 21...Te8. — Daniil Dubov : « 22...e5 est soit un très bon coup, soit les Blancs gagnent. »} ({La profondeur de 21.h4!? - qui finalement servait à faire fonctionner Cc5 - se voit dans la ligne suivante :} 22... Nxa5 $2 23. Rxa5 b6 24. h5 $1 Bxh5 25. Nxe6 $1 {[%csl Rg7][%CAl Ye6g7,Yg3g7]} fxe6 26. Rxd5 $1 {[%csl Ge1,Ye7,Rh5][%CAl Re6d5,Yd5h5]} Bf7 27. Rd6 $18) 23. Rb3 $6 (23. b4 $1 {était plus fort selon les machines et bien plus logique avec le plan blanc mis en place depuis plusieurs coups.}) 23... Nxa5 $1 {Le coup du Chinois donne l'occasion au Russe de se débarrasser du pion qui fixait son aile-Dame, mais surtout, au lieu de continuer à exercer une pression positionnelle, sans risque, la position devient un peu plus tactique.} 24. Rxe5 Qf6 25. Ra3 {14 minutes pour un coup pratiquement forcé c'est beaucoup, voire trop.} Nc4 {A tempo. Stockfish 15.1 donne +1.18, alors que Sesse.net est plus généreux avec +1.94.} 26. Bxc4 dxc4 {0h37-1h04} 27. h5 $6 (27. Nxb7 $1 {La justification du plan initié par 23.Tb3?! avec le gain d'un pion, était meilleur.} Rxe5 28. Qxe5 Qb6 29. Nd6 Qxb2 30. Nxc4 $16) 27... Bc2 $6 {Ian Nepomniachtchi joue trop vite. Dans une position assez difficile, où chaque coup peut faire basculer la partie, le Russe continue sur le même rythme. — Peu après, Anish Giri confirmait notre point de vue : « C'est un cas classique de mauvaise gestion du temps, et ce n'est pas nouveau. C'est le revers de la médaille de la force de Ian ; dans une mauvaise position ça devient une faiblesse. »} ({La meilleure défense consistait à jouer} 27... Rxe5 $1 28. dxe5 Qd8 $1 {Ce coup n'était pas facile à voir.} 29. Qf3 Qd2 $1 30. hxg6 Qe1+ 31. Kh2 Qxe5+ 32. g3 Qxc5 33. Qxf7+ Kh8 34. Ra4 Rc8 $11) 28. Nxb7 Qb6 29. Nd6 $1 {Le seul bon coup pour conserver l'avantage. Sesse.net passe à +2.20, mais Ding Liren doit encore trouver la suite.} Rxe5 30. Qxe5 ({L'alternative était} 30. dxe5 Qxb2 31. Ra5 Bd3 32. Kh2 Qb6 33. Rd5 $16) 30... Qxb2 {C'est le moment de vérité pour Ding Liren qui doit trouver un 32e coup peu évident.} 31. Ra5 $1 {Apparemment le Chinois a le coup gagnant en tête. Vu le temps pris par Ian Nepomniachtchi pour jouer, les Noirs viennent seulement de se rendre compte des difficultés.} (31. Nxc4 $6 Qc1+ 32. Kh2 Bd3 33. Qe3 $1 $14) 31... Kh7 $5 (31... Bd3 32. Ne8 $1 {Le coup que Ding Liren devait avoir en tête pour gagner.} Qb1+ 33. Kh2 Qb8 34. Qxb8 Rxb8 35. Nc7 $16) 32. Rc5 $6 {Pressé par le temps, moins de 20 minutes, Ding Liren rate la meilleure suite avec ce coup joué en seulement 44 secondes.} ({Le plus précis était} 32. Qe1 $1 Bd3 33. Nxc4 Qb3 34. Ne5 Re8 35. Qc1 $18) 32... Qc1+ $6 ({Plus fort était} 32... Qxc3 $1 33. Nxf7 Bd3 34. Rc7 {avec de bonne chances de s'en sortir.}) 33. Kh2 f6 34. Qg3 $1 {Ding Liren est désormais gagnant !} a5 {La dernière carte de Ian Nepomniachtchi, mais le pion est encore loin de sa case de promotion, alors que l'attaque directe sur le Roi noir semble bien plus rapide.} 35. Nxc4 a4 {La seule chance de survie de Ian Nepomniachtchi réside dans une grosse faute de son adversaire.} 36. Ne3 Bb1 37. Rc7 Rg8 {Retour en défense du Roi forcé.} 38. Nd5 {De toute évidence Ding Liren a tout vu jusqu'à la fin.} Kh8 39. Ra7 a3 40. Ne7 {Le contrôle du temps est atteint et Ding Liren, avec maintenant une heure à la pendule, a tout son temps pour convertir son énorme avantage en point entier.} Rf8 {Irina Krush : « Beaucoup des problèmes de Ian Nepomniachtchi étaient de sa faute. Comme son jeu dans l'ouverture. »} 41. d5 {Après 20 minutes.} a2 $6 {Ian Nepomniachtchi accélère la fin, mais il n'y avait plus de défense.} 42. Qc7 $1 {Le plus précis.} Kh7 {Attention, il n'y a qu'un coup blanc pour gagner ici.} 43. Ng6 $1 {Et c'est celui-là.} Rg8 44. Qf7 {Ian Nepomniachtchi et Ding Liren se rendent coup pour coup. Dans un système de Londres, souvent qualifié de « variante de vieux » ou de « système ennuyeux », Ding Liren l'emporte sur Ian Nepomniachtchi dans la sixième partie et égalise à 3,0 points partout. Repos lundi 17.} 1-0 [Event "WCh 2023"] [Site "Astana KAZ"] [Date "2023.04.16"] [Round "6.1"] [White "Ding Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [Annotator "Crowther,Mark"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2023.04.09"] {[%evp 0,87,19,31,14,30,28,23,27,29,79,39,23,30,16,16,16,0,-9,-2,-2,-1,-5,-12,3,6,5,1,4,-10,-9,12,10,-12,10,-14,10,-23,-3,-11,5,-6,22,-3,5,14,47,30,75,57,61,78,34,94,93,47,81,92,92,66,66,47,72,70,135,63,91,101,105,102,102,102,102,78,101,136,130,104,104,142,142,142,142,117,117,416,1335,1335,1465,1568]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 cxd4 ({Relevant:} 5... Nh5 6. dxc5 Nxf4 7. exf4 g6 8. Nb3 Bg7 9. c3 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 e6 12. h4 h5 13. Be2 Rc8 14. g3 O-O 15. O-O Na5 16. Rfb1 Nc4 17. a4 b6 18. Rd1 Nxb2 19. Rd2 Qf6 20. Rxb2 Qxc3 21. Qxc3 Bxc3 22. Rab1 Bxb2 23. Rxb2 bxc5 24. Bb5 c4 25. Nd4 Rc7 26. Ba6 c3 27. Rc2 Rb8 28. Bb5 Rb6 29. a5 Rb8 30. Kf1 Rc5 31. Bd3 Rb4 32. Ne2 d4 33. a6 Rb1+ 34. Nc1 Ra5 35. Kg2 {Aronian,L (2745)-So,W (2760) Chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) 6. exd4 Bf5 7. c3 {7.Bb5 is the more modern choice but perhaps it was deliberate to choose a slightly less critical line.} e6 8. Bb5 Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 h6 {[#]} (11... a6) 12. Ne5 $146 ({Predecessor:} 12. a4 Rfc8 13. a5 Qc7 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Ne4 16. Nb3 Qxe5 17. f3 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Qxc3 19. Nd4 Bg6 20. Bf1 Qb4 21. Qa4 Qd6 22. Qa3 Qxa3 23. Rxa3 Rc5 24. a6 bxa6 25. Rxa6 Rc7 26. Nb5 Rb7 27. Rea1 Rab8 28. Nxa7 Kh7 29. Nc6 Rc8 30. Ne5 Rb1 31. Rxb1 Bxb1 32. Nxf7 Rc1 33. Ra1 d4 34. Kf2 Rc2+ 35. Kg3 Rb2 36. Rxb1 {1-0 (36) Kamsky,G (2677)-Marcus,H (2662) Chess.com INT 2020}) 12... Ne7 13. a4 a6 14. Bf1 Nd7 $6 {This seems to be the first serious inaccuracy.} (14... Qc7) (14... Qb6) 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. a5 {White is trying to cement a knight on c5.} Qc7 17. Qf3 Rfc8 18. Ra3 {With the idea of supporting c3 and playing b4 in some lines.} (18. Ra2) 18... Bg6 19. Nb3 Nc6 20. Qg3 {White doesn't object to an endgame but perhaps this isn't so very bad for black.} Qe7 (20... Qxg3 21. hxg3 Rc7 {is a good endgame for white but it's not very clear it's winning.}) 21. h4 Re8 (21... Qc7 {funnily enough the engines now like returning to c7 as the best for black now that white has weakened his kingside.}) 22. Nc5 {Allowing black to e5 but white judges it's good for him.} e5 (22... Rac8 23. b4 Red8) 23. Rb3 {The next few moves sees best play from both players.} (23. b4 {was the alternative and the engines like this a lot.}) 23... Nxa5 24. Rxe5 Qf6 25. Ra3 Nc4 26. Bxc4 dxc4 27. h5 (27. Nxb7) 27... Bc2 {Black only took a couple of minutes for this.} (27... Rxe5 {I'm not sure a human would see these lines but this is best.} 28. dxe5 Qd8 29. hxg6 (29. Qf3 Bc2) 29... Qd1+ 30. Kh2 Qh5+) 28. Nxb7 Qb6 29. Nd6 Rxe5 30. Qxe5 {Ding used quite a bit of his remaining time getting this decision right.} Qxb2 31. Ra5 $1 Kh7 $1 {Found reasonably quickly by Nepomniachtchi.} (31... Qxc3 $2 32. Ne8) 32. Rc5 (32. Qe1 $1 {Is much the best move here according to the engines.}) 32... Qc1+ {This loses but the saving line is really impossible to work out.} (32... Qxc3 {Nepomniachtchi could save himself but had to find this long and frankly impossible to find line given by Dubov (and there are other scarey lines too).} 33. Nxf7 Bd3 34. Rc7 (34. Kh2) 34... Qc1+ 35. Kh2 Re8 36. Qg3 Re1 37. Qg4 Rh1+ 38. Kg3 Qc3 39. Ne5 Bg6+ 40. Qf3 Qxf3+ 41. Kxf3 Bxh5+ 42. g4 Be8 {and the game should be drawn.}) 33. Kh2 f6 34. Qg3 a5 {This looks scarey but white is winning for sure now.} 35. Nxc4 a4 36. Ne3 {Cutting off the Queen from the g5 square.} Bb1 37. Rc7 Rg8 38. Nd5 {Threatening all sorts of nastiness.} Kh8 {Forced.} (38... a3 39. Qxg7+ Rxg7 40. Nxf6+ Kh8 41. Rc8+ Rg8 42. Rxg8#) 39. Ra7 a3 40. Ne7 Rf8 {Time control. Ding is winning and now has the time to work things out.} 41. d5 $3 {Covering the e6 square.} (41. Rb7 {is also a win but Ding's solution is so much clearer and more satisfying.}) (41. Qc7 Kh7 42. Nf5 Rg8 43. Nxg7 Kh8 {is equal.}) 41... a2 42. Qc7 $1 {Forcing a quick finish.} Kh7 43. Ng6 Rg8 44. Qf7 {It's forced mate in 8.} (44. Qf7 Qg5 45. Qxg8+ Kxg8 46. Ra8+ Kf7 47. Rf8# {and suddenly we see why d5 was such a good move.}) 1-0 [Event "FIDE World Chess Championship 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.04.16"] [Round "6"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2788"] [BlackElo "2795"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "7200+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 {The long-awaited moment has arrived when the London System makes its first appearance in a world championship match. If I have criticized London players, here I demonstrate my complete regret for doing so. This is not a very common weapon in Ding's repertoire, but he has used it before, and Nepomniachtchi said he expected it at some point.} c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 cxd4 (5... Bg4 {was played against Ding in 2021.} 6. Bb5 e6 7. O-O cxd4 8. exd4 Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. c3 O-O 11. Re1 {With the same position as in the game, with the difference that the bishop is on g4 and not on f5. It's hard to say whom this favors, but the game's character doesn't change much. Ding-Hovhannisyan, Online Olymp 2021.}) 6. exd4 Bf5 (6... Bg4 {was played by Nepomniachtchi in 2022.} 7. c3 e6 8. Qb3 Qc8 {Aravindh-Nepomniachtchi, Wch Rapid Almaty 2022.}) 7. c3 e6 8. Bb5 {Not the most popular choice.} (8. Qb3 {is the main line.}) 8... Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 {There are not many games in this position, and most of them are by GM Gata Kamsky, a great expert in the London System. The position looks calm and even monotonous; it is difficult to predict the fireworks that we will see later. White's plan is to try to exert some pressure on the queenside, advancing the a-pawn and trying to get the knight to c5. Black's position is very solid, but there is no clear game plan.} h6 {A useful move, giving the bishop a square and the king some air. However, due to White's next move, this move may not be the most accurate.} (11... a6 {[%CAl Gb5a4,Gb5e2,Gb5f1]} 12. Bxc6 ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 12. Bf1 h6 13. Ne5 Rfc8 14. a4 Qc7 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Nxd3 b5 17. b4 Ne7 18. Nc5 a5 19. axb5 axb4 20. cxb4 Rxa1 21. Qxa1 Qb6 22. Qa6 Rb8 23. Qxb6 Rxb6 24. Ra1 Rxb5 $11) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 12. Be2 Qc7 13. a4 h6 14. Bf1 Rfd8 15. Qb3 Rac8 16. h3 a5 17. Rac1 Nd7 18. Bb5 Qf4 19. Be2 Qc7 20. Bf1 Qb6 21. Qa3 Qc7 22. Qb3 $11 {[%eval 0,31]}) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 12. Ba4 b5 13. Bb3 Rfc8 14. a3 a5 15. Bc2 Bxc2 16. Qxc2 Qd8 17. Nb3 Ne4 18. Qe2 h6 19. h3 Rab8 20. Nfd2 Nd6 21. Nc5 b4 22. axb4 axb4 23. Ra6 bxc3 24. bxc3 Ra8 25. Raa1 Na5 26. g3 $11) 12... Qxc6 13. Ne5 Qc7 14. a4 a5 15. g4 Bg6 16. h4 {This was played in Kamsky-Matlakov, Titled Tuesday 2023. Here, instead of 16...Nd7, Black should advance the h-pawn with equal chances.} h6 (16... h5 $11 {[%CAl Gg4g5]})) 12. Ne5 {A new move.} (12. a4 {was played in Kamsky-Marcus, Titled Tuesday 2020.}) 12... Ne7 {Necessary to avoid the exchange on c6.} (12... a6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nb3 {with a positional advantage for White.}) 13. a4 a6 14. Bf1 Nd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (14... a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This prophylactic move, preventing White from fixing the structure on the queenside, has its value.} 15. Nb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another subtle move, bringing the knight to b5.} Nd7 {White's position is a bit more comfortable, but no big deal.}) 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the structure on the queenside fixed and Black with weaknesses on the dark squares, White has a small advantage.} Qc7 17. Qf3 Rfc8 18. Ra3 {A sophisticated move. The rook will come in handy on the third rank later in the game, but more conventional moves are available.} (18. Rec1 {with the idea of playing b4 and then Nb3-c5.}) (18. Nb3 Nc6 19. Qg3 {similar to the game, also with some advantage.}) 18... Bg6 {Black's problem is that there are no active moves available.} 19. Nb3 Nc6 20. Qg3 Qe7 (20... Qxg3 {Maybe it's better to exchange queens, even though White maintains his pressure in the endgame after} 21. hxg3 Rc7 22. Nc5) 21. h4 $1 $14 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A great move, gaining space on the kingside and showing the opponent that he is not in a hurry. Interestingly, in the previous game, it was Nepomniachtchi who executed an excellent pawn advance to h4.} (21. Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is premature and allows a tactical shot.} Nxa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22. Nxe6 $5 (22. Rxa5 b6 $11) 22... Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the worst is over for Black.} ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 22... Rc6 $1 23. Rxa5 Rxe6 24. Re5 Rxe5 25. Qxe5 Qxe5 26. dxe5 Rd8 27. Ra4 $14) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 22... fxe6 $4 23. Qxg6 Nc6 24. Rxe6 Qf7 25. Bd3 Qxg6 26. Rxg6 Kf7 27. Rg3 $18)) 21... Re8 $6 {[%csl Re6][%CAl Ge8e6,Ge6e5] Nepomniachtchi decides to prepare a plan with e6-e5. The computer shows that this makes things worse, but it's hard to play without an active plan.} ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 21... Qc7 $5 {[%CAl Rc7g3]} 22. Kh2 b5 23. Nc5 h5 24. b4 Bf5 25. Qxc7 Rxc7 26. Be2 g6 27. f3 Nb8 28. g4 hxg4 29. fxg4 Be4 30. Kg3 $14) 22. Nc5 e5 23. Rb3 $6 (23. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better, since Black has less counterplay than in the game. White defends the knight and threatens to capture on e5. After} e4 24. f3 $1 $16 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White will get an imposing pawn structure after the capture on e4.}) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 23. b4 $1 Bf5 24. dxe5 Rad8 25. Raa1 Bc8 26. Ra2 Kh8 27. Rae2 Qc7 28. Re3 Re7 29. Qf3 d4 30. Re4 Be6 31. Nxe6 fxe6 32. Qd3 Red7 33. g3 b5 34. axb6 Qxb6 35. Rf4 a5 36. b5 dxc3 37. Qxc3 Nd4 38. Ra1 $16) 23... Nxa5 24. Rxe5 $5 Qf6 25. Ra3 Nc4 26. Bxc4 dxc4 {This is a critical moment in the game.} 27. h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a mistake due to a clever tactical resource.} (27. Nxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} Qb6 28. Nd6 Rxe5 29. Qxe5 (29. dxe5 {is also better for White. Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} Qxb2 30. Ra5 Qb6 31. Rd5 Bf5 32. Kh2 Be6 33. Rd2 Qb1 34. f4 Rf8 35. Qf2 f5 36. Rb2 Qd3 37. Rb7 Kh8 38. Qg3 Qxg3+ 39. Kxg3 Ra8 40. Kf2 a5 41. Nb5 a4 42. Nc7 Bc8 43. Rb4 Ra7 44. Nb5 Ra6 45. Na3 Kh7 46. Ke3 Be6 47. g3 $16) 29... Qxb2 30. Nxc4 {with the advantage.}) 27... Bc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (27... Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. dxe5 Qd8 $3 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the point.} (28... Qc6 {is not good:} 29. hxg6 Qxc5 30. gxf7+ Kxf7 31. e6+ Kg8 (31... Kxe6 {Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 32. Qxg7 Rf8 33. Qxh6+ Kd7 34. Qh4 Re8 35. Ra1 Kc8 36. Rd1 Qb5 37. Rd2 a5 38. Qd4 Qc6 39. Kf1 b5 40. Qg4+ Qe6 41. Qxe6+ Rxe6 42. f4 $18) 32. Ra1 {[%CAl Ga1e1,Ge6e7,Ge7e8] Followed by 33.Re1 with a big advantage, thanks to the passed e-pawn.}) 29. Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right way to keep some pressure.} (29. hxg6 {leads to a draw by perpetual check after} Qd1+ 30. Kh2 Qh5+ $11) 29... Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30. hxg6 Qe1+ 31. Kh2 Qxe5+ 32. g3 Qxc5 33. Qxf7+ Kh8 34. Ra4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rc8 {White is still better, but Black is fighting.} (34... b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 35. Rxa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rf8 36. Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxf2+ 37. Qxf2 Rxf2+ 38. Kg1 Rf8 39. Rb6 $16 {with a winning rook endgame.}) (34... Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 35. Rxc4 $1 $18 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]})) (27... Bd3 {was suggested by Nepomniachtchi as an improvement in the press conference, but he clearly missed the following computer move:} 28. b4 $1 $16 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an overwhelming advantage for White.}) 28. Nxb7 Qb6 (28... Rxe5 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. dxe5 Rb8 31. Nd6 Rxb2 32. Rxa6 {The endgame is hopeless for Black.} Rb8 33. Ra7 $18) 29. Nd6 $1 {[%csl Re5,Rg3][%CAl Rg3d6,Re5e8] [%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxe5 (29... Qxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Qxd6 $18) 30. Qxe5 {This is clearly better than taking with the pawn.} (30. dxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Qxb2 31. Nxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (31. Ra5 {is better.}) 31... Qc1+ 32. Kh2 Rc8 33. Nd6 Qxa3 34. Nxc8 a5 {and Black is fine.}) 30... Qxb2 31. Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Ding rightly praised this move at the press conference.} (31. Nxc4 $2 {is much worse, since it's not clear whether White can win in the endgame after} Qc1+ 32. Kh2 Bd3 33. Qe3 Qd1 34. Ne5 Qxh5+ 35. Qh3 Qxh3+ 36. gxh3 $11 (36. Kxh3)) 31... Kh7 (31... Qxc3 {The point is that this natural capture loses after} 32. Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} f6 (32... Rxe8 33. Qxe8+ Kh7 34. Rd5 $18 {Followed by Rd8 with a mating attack.}) 33. Qd5+ Kh7 34. Nxf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxf6 35. Qb7+ $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh8 36. Qxa8+ $18) 32. Rc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (32. Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is an absurdly difficult move, indicated by the computer. White has a clear advantage as the pawn on c4 will fall.} Bd3 33. Nxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (33. Nxf7 {is also possible.}) 33... Bxc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 34. Qe4+ f5 35. Qxa8 Qc1+ 36. Kh2 Qf4+ 37. g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and there's no perpetual check.} Qxf2+ 38. Qg2 $18) 32... Qc1+ $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (32... Qxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] gives Black good saving chances if he manages to find some fantastic ideas on the way.} 33. Nxf7 (33. Ne8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Rxe8 34. Qxe8 Qa1+ 35. Kh2 Qxd4 {White is not in time to checkmate.}) (33. Rc7 Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Rxf7 Qg5 35. f4 Qxe5 36. dxe5 {This is an interesting endgame, but Black manages to save it by playing with precision.}) 33... Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Rc7 Qc1+ 35. Kh2 Re8 $3 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic resource $1} 36. Qg3 (36. Qxe8 Qf4+ {leads to perpetual check.}) 36... Re1 37. Qg4 Rh1+ 38. Kg3 Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39. Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bg6+ 40. Qf3 Qxf3+ 41. Kxf3 Bxh5+ 42. g4 Be8 43. Rxc4 {After all these unbelievable moves from the computer, we reach an endgame with good drawing chances for Black.}) 33. Kh2 f6 34. Qg3 {From now on, there's no possible salvation for Nepomniachtchi.} a5 (34... Bd3 35. Nxc4 Bxc4 36. Rxc4 {The exchange of the bishop for the knight doesn't bring relief.}) 35. Nxc4 a4 36. Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate. Ding plays for mate.} (36. Rc7 Qg5 37. Qxg5 hxg5 38. Na3 {The endgame should be winning due to the passed pawns, but the move played in the game is better.}) 36... Bb1 (36... a3 37. Rc7 Rg8 38. Nd5 Kh8 39. Ra7 {Black is not in time to support the advance of the a-pawn.} Bb3 40. Ne7) 37. Rc7 Rg8 38. Nd5 Kh8 39. Ra7 a3 40. Ne7 Rf8 41. d5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Ding finds a wonderful mating pattern and finishes the game in style.} (41. Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also pretty and efficient. The game might continue:} a2 42. Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} a1=Q (42... Rxb8 43. Qxb8+ Kh7 44. Qg8#) 43. Rxf8+ Kh7 44. Qg6+ Bxg6 45. hxg6# {A checkmate with a pawn is always attractive.}) (41. Qc7 {It's important to show this move, so the reader understands the point of Ding's move.} Kh7 (41... a2 42. Ng6+ Bxg6 43. Qxg7#) 42. Ng6 Rg8 {In this position, the pawn is important on d5 so that a beautiful mate is possible. We will see this in a minute.}) 41... a2 42. Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh7 43. Ng6 $1 Rg8 44. Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now it's clear why the pawn is needed on d5. It takes the e6-square from the king. Such a pretty finish for another great game in the match. I'm already out of words to praise this duel. I started following world championship matches in the early '90s, and so far this has been the best.} (44. Qf7 Qg5 (44... Bxg6 45. hxg6+ Kh8 46. Qxg8+ Kxg8 47. Ra8#) 45. Qxg8+ $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxg8 46. Ra8+ Kf7 (46... Kh7 47. Rh8#) 47. Rf8#) 1-0 [Event "Chess World Championship 2023: Game 6: D"] [Site "https://lichess.org"] [Date "2023.04.17"] [Round "?"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/harikrishnapentala"] [PlyCount "97"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] {[%evp 0,97,19,31,14,30,28,23,31,12,74,13,50,13,32,27,29,14,-3,-3,-2,-5,0,0,1,9,11,12,4,-5,-3,3,10,-4,9,-12,0,-21,0,0,1,-1,21,2,5,15,59,74,67,55,63,84,75,88,83,37,100,101,101,79,85,75,75,97,130,78,112,97,122,114,120,109,116,126,114,111,111,121,121,123,108,123,123,131,188,371,1321,1321,1466,1606,1596,1646,2046,2525,29995,29996,29997,29998,29999,-30000] We have seen players bouncing back after losing a game. But this game is unique as Ding did not have a rest day, as happened after Game 2 and Game 4. Naturally, every chess fan is curious about which opening and approach Ding will implement. I did not expect such an opening choice, and it must have been a shocker for Nepo!} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 {This is called the London system. This system has its die-hard fans and die-hard bashers! It is one of those systems, you cannot be objective, and the followers of it will push you to take a side! Jokes aside, with the current engines and enormous availability of knowledge, One can quickly pick up any opening and try it. We have to appreciate the courage of Ding for choosing a system which is seen as a quick format opening.} c5 {This is one of the main choices Black employs at the top level. I am mentioning the other equally popular options for Black. Each move has its system, and move orders are important. This is the reason why it works perfectly in shorter time controls!} (3... e6 $5) (3... Bf5 $5) 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 cxd4 (5... Qb6 {For those of you who like to engage in a theoretical battle with quite forcing variations, you can dig deeper in this direction. I wouldn't recommend this for amateurs as many of the moves are not natural unless and of course you remember them.} 6. dxc5 Qxb2 7. Rb1 Qc3 8. Bb5 g6 {with complex play.} (8... e6 $5)) 6. exd4 Bf5 (6... Bg4 {Was the choice of Nepomniachtchi in his game against Aravindh, Chithambaram at the World Rapid and Blitz Championship 2022 (see https://lichess.org/broadcast/2022-fide-world-rapid-championship/round-2/SBR6tYqh/Eu8EtfaE#1 for the full game)} 7. c3 e6 8. Qb3 Qc8 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 $14 {Even though the game was drawn eventually, it was a miracle for Nepo to save this game. White enjoys the advantage of pair of bishops.}) 7. c3 (7. Bb5 $5 {Was played by many top players, including Vitiugov, one of Nepo's seconds. The idea is that White is aiming to put pressure on c6 by playing Ne5 and c4 etc. White scored quite nicely here. Ding was probably afraid that Nepo might have some new idea here.}) 7... e6 8. Bb5 {With the idea of playing Ne5 putting pressure on c6. Simultaneously, g4 followed by h4 expansion is quite dangerous.} (8. Qb3 {Doesn't give much for White.} Bd6 $1 {I like this move as Black is sacrificing a pawn for piece activity.} 9. Qxb7 Bxf4 10. Qxc6+ Kf8 11. Ne5 Rb8 $13 {with excellent compensation for the pawn. Due to underdeveloped pieces of White, the King can have problems reaching safety.}) 8... Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 {In my database, I can see five games of GM Kamsky! Even though many top players have employed the London system and analyzed it in depth, We have to credit GM Kamsky for playing it several times successfully for many years.} h6 12. Ne5 {This is the first new move in the game and the engine's top choice.} Ne7 (12... Qc7 {Moving the Queen away from the d6 square has a straightforward idea of exchanging the Knight on e5.} 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. b4 {Stopping the c6 pawn from advancing.} Ne4) 13. a4 a6 {Although this move is by no means a mistake, Black will face several problems in the future. Placing the pawn on a6 is always a target for White's light square bishop in the endgame. It is also important to understand White's idea of making an outpost for their d2 Knight to c5 via b3. In this connection, it is wiser to leave the pawn on a7.} (13... Qb6 $5 {is an exciting try with the idea to play a6 and capture the b3 pawn.}) 14. Bf1 Nd7 $6 {On one hand, Black moved the Knight from c6 with the intention of not exchanging and now Black is offering to trade. This is the start of a wrong plan, and White wants to plant the d2 knight on c5. With White having a5 and b4 pawns, it would be impossible to challenge the knight, and the weakness on a6 and b7 would remain a weakness forever.} 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. a5 $1 {Ding perfectly understands the nuances of the position.} Qc7 17. Qf3 $1 {A simple but effective idea. Ding shows excellent understanding and rightly plans to exchange the queens at the right moment by playing Qg3.} Rfc8 18. Ra3 Bg6 19. Nb3 Nc6 20. Qg3 $1 {Exchanging your opponent's active pieces is one of the ways to improve your positional advantage further. In this case, Black's queen can move freely and keep an eye on White's a5 pawn.} (20. Nc5 Nxa5 $15) 20... Qe7 $6 {Moving the queen to e7 does not make much sense as Black does not have any sensible breakthrough.} (20... Qxg3 $5 21. hxg3 Rc7 22. Nc5 Bf5 23. b4 $14 {Black should try to defend this position.}) 21. h4 $1 {When your opponent has no breakthrough or sensible way to improve his position, Make a square for the king. In this scenario, it removes back-rank issues and creates the threat of attacking the g6 bishop.} Re8 {The idea of making e5 doesn't work because White's Knight is too powerful on c5. White doesn't have any obvious weakness here.} 22. Nc5 e5 23. Rb3 $1 (23. b4 $1 $16 {Although what Ding has played is quite good, I also like this simple move cementing the knight on c5. All White has to do is bring the rook on a3 into action, and Black's position will collapse.}) 23... Nxa5 {Forced move.} (23... Rab8 24. Rb6 $1 $18 {followed by b4. Imagine the monster on b6 which cannot be touched in near future!}) 24. Rxe5 Qf6 25. Ra3 Nc4 (25... Nc6 {Nepo could have tried this variation. Having a knight might give some tricky jumps!} 26. Nd7 $1 (26. Rxd5 {Greedy move gives Black nice counterplay with} Re1) 26... Qd8 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. Qc7 {This is the recommendation of the engine. Sure, White has a big advantage, but for the engine, this is completely winning!}) 26. Bxc4 dxc4 27. h5 $6 {On one hand it feels nice to disturb the Bishop on g6, There is a nice retreat with which Black can fight back} Bc2 $2 (27... Rxe5 $1 {Exploiting the chance offered by Ding!} 28. dxe5 Qd8 $3 {Both players must have missed this retreat. I failed to understand why Nepo did not spend some time when the opportunity presented itself.} 29. Qf3 (29. hxg6 Qd1+ 30. Kh2 Qh5+ 31. Qh3 Qxe5+ {This concrete variation was relatively easy to calculate, but the main issue is Nepo not spending time in difficult moments. It could have been a strategy to put pressure on Ding as Ding was low on time.}) 29... Bc2 $14 {Although White has an advantage, This is the lesser evil compared to what has happened in the game.}) 28. Nxb7 Qb6 29. Nd6 Rxe5 30. Qxe5 Qxb2 {So far, it is forcing a sequence of moves after 28.Nb7.} 31. Ra5 $3 {White is bringing the rook into action via c5-c7.} (31. Nxc4 {It's always important to be alert in converting the advantage. It is easy to fall for such tricks and spoil the advantage in one move.} Qc1+ 32. Kh2 Bd3 33. Qe3 Qd1 $14 {Winning the h5 pawn after White moves the Knight.}) 31... Kh7 (31... Qxc3 {Loses at once after 32. Ne8} 32. Ne8 {Threatening mate on g7} f6 33. Qd5+ $18) 32. Rc5 (32. Qe1 {The engine points out the not-so-obvious winning move. White defends the c3 pawn while intending to take on c4 with the Knight on d6} Bd3 33. Nxc4 $1 Bxc4 34. Qe4+ f5 35. Rxf5 $18 {Black's Rook on a8 is hanging.}) 32... Qc1+ {This is the last mistake, and from here onwards, Ding did not give any chance to Nepo and played all the best moves.} (32... Qxc3 $1 {I failed to understand why Nepo did not capture the pawn on c3. Even though there are a lot of complicated variations, Black is holding here according to the computer.}) 33. Kh2 f6 34. Qg3 a5 35. Nxc4 a4 36. Ne3 {Now Rc7 is a serious threat as Black cannot bring his Queen to g5.} Bb1 37. Rc7 Rg8 38. Nd5 {Threatening Nf6+} Kh8 39. Ra7 a3 40. Ne7 Rf8 41. d5 $1 (41. Rb7 {Here, many moves are winning for White. One of the moves which caught my attention is Rb7. It's unusual because we are moving from the a-file where it is keeping an eye on the a-file pawn. I am giving this line as I could not resist not showing the following checkmate.} a2 42. Rb8 a1=Q 43. Rxf8+ Kh7 44. Qg6+ Bxg6 45. hxg6#) 41... a2 42. Qc7 Kh7 43. Ng6 Rg8 44. Qf7 {Nepo resigned here as Ding intends to take the Rook on g8 followed by Ra8+ and checkmate on f8 or h8 with the Rook. The illustrative engine line below shows the mating pattern idea.} a1=Q 45. Rxa1 Rd8 46. Ra7 {Various delaying moves are possible here but they all end in mate} Rg8 47. Qxg8+ Kxg8 48. Ra8+ Kf7 49. Rf8# {1-0 White wins.} 1-0