[Event "Wijk aan Zee NED"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"] [Date "2023.01.25"] [Round "10.5"] [White "Tabatabaei, M. Amin"] [Black "Beerdsen, Thomas"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D12"] [WhiteElo "2686"] [BlackElo "2515"] [Annotator "3700"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/p4pp1/3kp1p1/1p1p4/1P1P3P/4PPK1/1P4P1/8 w - - 0 28"] [PlyCount "21"] [EventDate "2023.01.14"] [SourceVersionDate "2021.09.11"] {[%evp 0,21,11,8,5,0,7,53,53,98,122,137,253,299,429,598,839,837,910,866,982,982,1002,1002]} {[#]} 28. Kg4 f6 $2 {[%csl Re5,Rf5,Rg5,Gh5]} (28... Ke7 29. Kg5 Kd7 30. g4 Ke7 31. h5 gxh5 32. gxh5 Kf8 33. h6 Kg8 34. hxg7 Kxg7 35. e4 f6+ 36. Kf4 dxe4 37. fxe4 Kf7 $11 {[%csl Ra4,Rc4,Rd5,Re5,Rf5,Rg5,Rh5][%CAl Gf6g5,Gf6e5,Ge6f5,Ge6d5,Gf7g6,Gb5c4,Gb5a4,Gf4g4]}) 29. h5 gxh5+ (29... g5 {[%tqu "En","","","","h5h6","",10]} 30. h6 $1 {[%CAl Gg3h5,Rh5h6,Gh6g6,Rg6f6]} gxh6 {[%csl Gf6,Gh6]} {[%tqu "En","","","","g4h5","",10]} 31. Kh5 {[%csl Gh6][%CAl Gh6g6,Rh5h6]} f5 32. Kxh6 f4 {[%CAl Rh6g5,Re3f4]} 33. exf4 (33. Kxg5 fxe3 $19) 33... gxf4 34. Kg5 {[%CAl Rg5f4]} e5 35. Kf5 exd4 {[%tqu "En","","","","f5f4","",10]} 36. Kxf4 Ke6 37. Kg3 d3 {[%tqu "En","","","","g3f2","",10]} 38. Kf2 $18 {[%CAl Gf2e3,Re3d3,Gf2e1,Ge1d2]}) (29... Ke7 30. hxg6 Kd6 31. f4 f5+ (31... Ke7 {[%tqu "En","","","","f4f5","",10]} 32. f5 Kd6 (32... e5 33. Kh5 Kd6 {[%tqu "En","","","","g2g4","",10]} 34. g4 Kd7 35. g5 Ke7 36. gxf6+ Kxf6 37. Kg4 $18) (32... exf5+ 33. Kxf5 Kd6 34. e4 $16 dxe4 35. Kxe4 f5+ 36. Kxf5 $18) {[%tqu "En","","","","f5e6","",10]} 33. fxe6 Kxe6 34. Kf4 Kd6 35. Kf5 Ke7 36. e4 dxe4 37. Kxe4 Ke6 38. d5+ Kd6 39. Kd4 f5 40. g3 $18 a6 41. b3 $18) 32. Kg5 Ke7 33. g3 Kd6 34. g4 fxg4 35. Kxg4 Ke7 36. Kg5 Kd7 {[%tqu "En","","","","f4f5","",10]} 37. f5 exf5 38. Kxf5 Kd6 {[%tqu "En","","","","e3e4","",10]} 39. e4 dxe4 40. Kxe4 Ke6 41. d5+ Kf6 42. Kd4 Kxg6 43. Kc5 Kf7 44. Kc6 g5 45. d6 g4 46. d7 g3 47. d8=Q $18) 30. Kxh5 Ke7 (30... g5 31. Kg6 {[%CAl Rg6f6,Rg6g5]} Ke7 32. g4 a6 33. b3 $18 {[%CAl Rg6f6]} e5 34. dxe5 fxe5 35. Kf5 d4 (35... Kd6 36. Kxg5 d4 37. exd4 exd4 38. Kf4 d3 (38... Kd5) 39. Ke3 $18) 36. exd4 exd4 37. Ke4 $18) 31. Kg6 Kf8 32. g4 Kg8 33. f4 a6 34. g5 fxg5 (34... f5 35. b3 Kf8 36. Kh7 Kf7 37. Kh8 (37. g6+ $4 Kf6 $19 {[%csl Gg6]}) 37... Kg6 (37... Kf8 38. g6 Ke7 39. Kxg7 $18) 38. Kg8 $18 {[%CAl Gg6h5,Ge6e5,Ga6a5,Rg8g7]}) 35. fxg5 {[%csl Gg8][%CAl Gg8f8,Gg8h8]} Kf8 (35... Kh8 36. Kf7 Kh7 37. g6+ Kh8 38. Kxe6 $18 {[%csl Rd4,Re3]}) 36. Kh7 Kf7 37. g6+ Kf6 38. b3 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.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2021.09.11"] [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][%CAl Re8e4,Rg6e4,Gc2e4] 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 $18 {[%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 {[%csl Rg5,Rg8][%CAl Gg8h8,Ge8g8,Rg8g1,Rg5g4] [%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 {[%CAl Ge4f3,Gd2f3] [%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 {[%CAl Gc3e5]} Rde8 22. Bf3 {[%csl Gc3,Ge1,Re7,Re8][%CAl Gc3e5,Ge1e5,Re7e5,Re8e5]} Nb7 23. Re2 {[%CAl Ga1e1]} f6 $2 {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.} 26. Rxe7 Qxc3 27. Rxe8+ Bxe8 28. Rxe8+ Kf7 $19) 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 $16 {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.} {[%tqu "En","","","","d5d6","(%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true)",10]} 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 (32... h5 33. Nf5 Rh7 34. Qe4 Kh8 35. Kg2 $18 {[%CAl Ge6e7,Gd5d6]}) 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 {[%csl Rf5][%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 {[%CAl Gf5e7,Re4g6]} Kh8 {[%tqu "En","","","","e6e7","",10]} 36. e7 $1 Qf7 {[%tqu "En","","","","d5d6","The pawns perform the final work.",10]} 37. d6 {The pawns perform the final work.} cxd6 38. Nxd6 Qg8 (38... Qxe7 39. Nxe8 {wins a piece.}) 39. Nxe8 Qxe8 40. Qe6 {[%CAl Ge6f6]} Kg7 41. Rf1 Rh6 42. Rd1 {[%CAl Rd1d8]} f5 43. Qe5+ Kf7 44. Qxf5+ Rf6 (44... Kxe7 $4 45. Re1+ $18) 45. Qh7+ Ke6 46. Qg7 {[%CAl Gg7f8]} 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 Chess Championship 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.04.15"] [Round "5"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C84"] [WhiteElo "2795"] [BlackElo "2788"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2021.09.11"] [TimeControl "7200+30"] 1. e4 {Nepomniachtchi returns to his favorite move after failing to gain an advantage in the third game with the queen's pawn.} e5 {It's hard to imagine Ding playing anything against 1.e4 in the match other than 1...e5.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {The Ruy Lopez is the most classic of all chess openings and I was curious to know what ideas Nepomniachtchi had prepared for the match. 6.Bxc6 was played in the first game and gave him an edge, but it was a one-game attempt and worked well for that purpose. 6.Re1 was the chosen move in the match against Carlsen. 6.d3 is a popular and modern option.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 {In these Ruy Lopez positions there are many possible plans for both sides, with many details and subtleties.} (9... Na5 {is the most popular move.} 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 {The Chigorin Variation with more tempo for Black, but even so equality is not so easy.}) (9... h6) (9... Nb8) (9... Be6) 10. a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move, played by Firouzja last year.} (10. Re1) (10. Nbd2 {[%CAl Gd2f1,Gf1e1]}) 10... Na5 11. Ba2 {[%CAl Ra2g8] This is the idea, now the bishop can stay on the dangerous diagonal.} c5 12. Bg5 {A new move. Nepomniachtchi certainly has a good stock of ideas in the opening against his opponent's more predictable choice.} (12. Na3 Qd7 13. Bg5 (13. axb5 {is more accurate.} axb5 14. Bg5) 13... bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a position full of resources in Firouzja-Giri, Miami (rapid) 2022.} 14. Nh4 Rab8 15. Nf5 Bd8 16. f4 exf4 17. Rxf4 Nb3 18. Bxb3 axb3 19. Qf3 Ne8 20. Bxd8 Rxd8 21. Qg3 f6 22. Raf1 Bc8 23. Nc4 Qb7 24. Nce3 Be6 25. R4f3 a5 26. Ra1 Qc7 27. d4 cxd4 28. Nxd4 Bf7 29. Nd5 Bxd5 30. exd5 Qc5 31. Kh2 Qxd5 32. Rf5 Qf7 33. Rfxa5 Rd7 34. Nf5 Kh8 35. Re1 g6 36. Nd4 Ng7 37. Qf3 d5 38. Ra6 Rb8 39. Rxf6 Qg8 40. Rf1 Rdd8 41. Nc6 Nf5 42. Nxb8 Rxb8 43. g4 Qd8 44. Re6 Ng7 45. Re5 Qd6 46. Qxd5 Qc7 47. Qc5 Qd8 48. Rd5 Qe8 49. Qf2 Ra8 50. Re1 Qb8+ 51. Rde5 Qg8 52. Qe2 Ra2 53. Re4 Qb8+ 54. Kg2 Qc8 55. Rf1 Kg8 56. Rd4 Qxc3 57. Rd8+ {1-0 Firouzja,A (2778)-Giri,A (2760) Miami FTX Crypto Cup rapid 2022 (3.7)}) 12... h6 $6 {A curious move, as White probably wants to take on f6 anyway.} (12... Nd7 {is possible, but then White can retreat the bishop to e3 and Black has nothing better than retreating the knight as well.} 13. Be3 Nf6) (12... c4 {is premature, as White has the initiative after} 13. axb5 axb5 14. Na3 {[%CAl Ga3c2,Gc2e3][%mdl 2048]}) (12... Qd7 {[%csl Ra8,Rf8] is very natural.} 13. Nbd2 {And certainly Nepomniachtchi has a lot of lines analyzed here.}) 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. axb5 axb5 15. Nbd2 Nc6 (15... d5 $5 $132 {[%csl Rb5,Rc5,Rd5,Re5] is a critical move, since the break improves Black's pawn structure. A possible continuation is} 16. exd5 (16. b4 {gives nothing after} dxe4 17. Nxe4 cxb4 18. cxb4 Nc6 $15) 16... Bxd5 17. Qe2 Nc6 18. Bxd5 Qxd5 $11 {Black's position looks acceptable.}) 16. Bd5 Rxa1 17. Qxa1 Qd7 {[%CAl Gf8a8]} 18. Re1 {Nepomniachtchi was blitzing all his moves, indicating he was still in preparation.} Ra8 $5 {[%csl Ra8][%CAl Ra8a1] A natural move, although it's not so clear whether forcing the queen back to the game is the most precise move.} (18... Ne7 {Black can accelerate the plan of exchanging bishops.} 19. Bxb7 Qxb7) (18... Bc8 $5 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a very interesting plan. The point is to bring the knight to e7 without allowing the exchange of bishops. We will see different versions of this idea in the analysis.} 19. Nf1 Ne7 20. Bb3 (20. Ne3 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Bd8 {is also OK for Black.} 22. Qa2 Bb7 $11) 20... Bb7 $11 {with a good position.}) 19. Qd1 Bd8 $6 {[%CAl Gf7f5,Gd8b6,Gc5c4,Re5d4,Rb6g1] I don't like this move, although deeming it dubious might be excessive criticism. There are several possible plans.} (19... Ne7 20. Bxb7 Qxb7) (19... Nd8 20. Bxb7 Qxb7) (19... Ra6 $5 {[%CAl Gb7c8,Gc6a7] [%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Bc8-Ne7.}) (19... g6 {[%CAl Gf6g7] A typical move to bring the bishop to g7.}) 20. Nf1 Ne7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this White definitely has the upper hand.} (20... Ra7 $5 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is better:} 21. Ne3 {[%CAl Ra7d7,Rd7a7,Gb7c8,Gc6e7,Re7d5]} Bc8 {with the idea of Ne7 and at some point the bishop will go to b6.}) 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. Ne3 {Nepomniachtchi got what he wanted from the opening. A good position, attacking chances, and an advantage on the clock.} Bb6 {[%tqu "En","","","","h3h4","(%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true) I'm not sure if this move is still part of the preparation or if it was thought up on the board, but it's a great decision. It reminds me of a great Kasparov game I watched live, when he played a similar plan against Van Wely, in Wijk aan Zee 1999, achieving a magnificent victory. Bringing the pawn to h5 helps White both in attacking chances on the middlegame and also in the endgame.",10]} 23. h4 $1 {[%csl Rh4] [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm not sure if this move is still part of the preparation or if it was thought up on the board, but it's a great decision. It reminds me of a great Kasparov game I watched live, when he played a similar plan against Van Wely, in Wijk aan Zee 1999, achieving a magnificent victory. Bringing the pawn to h5 helps White both in attacking chances on the middlegame and also in the endgame.} Qc6 {[%tqu "En","","","","h4h5","This is a critical moment. Nepomniachtchi said at the press conference that he was torn between this and 24.c4.",10,"c3c4","is very sensible, since it stops c5-c4, but the computer is not impressed.",0,"d1e2","Queen moves don't really avoid c5-c4.",0,"d1b3","",0]} 24. h5 $1 {This is a critical moment. Nepomniachtchi said at the press conference that he was torn between this and 24.c4.} (24. c4 {is very sensible, since it stops c5-c4, but the computer is not impressed.} Ba5 25. Re2 h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] avoiding h4-h5.}) (24. Qe2 {Queen moves don't really avoid c5-c4.} c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25. dxc4 Bxe3 {[%tqu "En","","","","c4b5","",10]} 26. cxb5 $5 {[%mdl 192]} Bxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Qb6+ 28. Kf1 f5 $132 {with compensation for the pawn.} 29. c4 $11 {[%csl Rd5][%CAl Gc4b5,Gc4d5,Re4a8,Ge2e4]}) (24. Qb3 {[%CAl Gb3b2]} c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (24... Rc8 {[%csl Gc3][%CAl Rc8c1]}) 25. dxc4 Bxe3 26. cxb5 Bxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Qc5+ 28. Kg3 Rb8 29. c4 Ng6 $14 {[%CAl Ge1f1,Gb3a2,Gf3d2] with activity in return for the pawn.}) 24... c4 {This is better than capturing on c4.} {[%tqu "En","","","","d3d4","(%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true)",10,"d3c4","",0]} 25. d4 $1 {[%csl Ge4][%CAl Gd4d5] [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (25. dxc4 Bxe3 (25... bxc4 26. Ng4 $11 {is more dangerous.}) 26. Rxe3 bxc4 $11 {with an equal position.}) 25... exd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not the most accurate move, although Ding had to calculate some difficult lines in order to choose the best move.} (25... Rd8 $1 {[%CAl Rd8d1] [%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. Nh4 {[%CAl Gh4f5] This seems very dangerous for Black, but he is still alive.} exd4 (26... d5 {is also possible:} 27. Nxd5 (27. exd5 Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (27... Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 28. Nhf5) 28. Nf3 exd4 29. Ng4 Qd6 30. Nxd4 Nxd5 {with an active position.}) 27... Nxd5 28. exd5 Qf6 $1 {[%CAl Rf6h4] [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.} ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 28... Rxd5 $6 29. Nf5 Qf6 30. Ne3 Rd7 31. Ng4 Qd8 32. Nxe5 Re7 33. Nc6 Rxe1+ 34. Qxe1 Qd7 35. Qe4 $18) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 28... Qd7 $2 29. Rxe5 Bc7 30. Re4 Qxd5 31. Qf3 Bd6 32. g3 Bf8 33. Nf5 Kh7 34. Kg2 Rb8 35. Ne3 Qd7 36. Re5 Kg8 37. Qd5 Qc7 38. Nf5 $18) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 28... Qxd5 $6 29. Qg4 Qe6 30. Nf5 Qf6 31. Rxe5 b4 32. g3 bxc3 33. bxc3 Rf8 34. Qe4 Bd8 35. Rc5 Qa6 36. Kg2 Qa4 37. Qd5 Bf6 38. Ne3 {[%csl Gc4][%CAl Rd5c4,Rc5c4,Re3c4,Ga4c4]} Rd8 39. Qxc4 Qa8+ 40. d5 $18 {[%csl Rc3,Rd5]}) 29. Re4 exd4 30. cxd4 b4 $11 {The machine indicates that Black's activity is enough for equality.}) 27. Nef5 {[%csl Rf5][%CAl Rf5d4,Gh4f5]} Nxf5 28. Nxf5 Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] a difficult move, bringing the queen back to defend.} 29. cxd4 (29. Qg4 Qe5) 29... Qe6 $11 {[%CAl Ge6f6,Rf6d4] The queen goes to f6 and Black is alive. All this is very hard to calculate and even harder to evaluate.}) 26. Nxd4 {The right way.} (26. cxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Ba5 27. Re2 d5 $1 $15 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a good position.}) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 26. Nxd4 $5 Qb7 27. Nec2 Ra5 28. g3 Qd7 29. Kg2 Ra2 30. Re2 Bxd4 31. Nxd4 Qg4 32. Qb1 Ra6 33. e5 d5 34. Qe1 Qxh5 35. e6 Ng6 36. f4 fxe6 37. Rxe6 Ra2 $11) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 26. cxd4 $5 Ba5 27. d5 Qd7 28. Rf1 Bb6 29. Nd4 Kh7 30. b3 cxb3 31. Nxb3 Ng8 32. Qc2 Rc8 33. Qd3 Bxe3 34. fxe3 b4 35. Nd4 Rc3 36. Qb1 b3 37. Qb2 Qc8 38. Rxf7 Nf6 39. Nf5 Nxh5 40. Kh2 Qc5 41. Rb7 {[%eval -20,32]}) 26... Qc5 (26... Bxd4 27. Qxd4 $14 {[%csl Rd4,Gd6,Re1,Re3,Re4,Rf2][%mdl 2064] White has a comfortable advantage, with more active pieces and the better pawn structure.}) 27. Qg4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi's only inaccuracy in the entire game.} (27. Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way to conduct the initiative.} Re8 (27... Qe5 28. Ng4 Qg5 29. e5 $1 {[%CAl Rf3a8,Re5d6] [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} d5 30. Nxb5 $1 $36 {[%csl Gc4,Gd5,Rd6,Re1,Re5,Rf3,Rg4][%CAl Gb5d6] with a big advantage.}) 28. Qg4 {It's weird to move the queen again, but now the invasion on d7 is more annoying.} Qe5 29. Qd7 Kf8 30. Rd1 $40 {with strong pressure.}) 27... Qe5 $1 {[%CAl Re5d4,Rb6d4,Gc3d4] [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. Nf3 (28. Qd7 {is not dangerous now.} Bxd4 29. cxd4 Qxe4 $5 {[%csl Gb5,Gd6]} {Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 30. f3 $5 ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 30. Qxb5 Nc6 31. Qxc4 Nxd4 32. Rd1 Ra4 33. Qd3 Qxd3 34. Rxd3 Rb4 35. Rd2 Ne6 36. Nd5 Rb3 37. g3 Kf8 38. Kg2 Rb5 39. Nc3 Rb6 40. Nd5 Rb5 $11 {[%eval 0,30]}) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 30. Qxd6 $2 Nf5 31. Qd5 Qxd5 32. Nxd5 Nxd4 33. Rd1 Ne6 34. Kf1 Nc5 35. Nb4 Ra4 36. Nd5 Ra2 37. Rb1 Nd3 38. Nc3 Ra5 39. Nd5 Ra8 $17) 30... Qe6 31. Qb7 Re8 32. Qxb5 Rc8 33. Kf1 Kf8 34. Re2 Qf6 35. Qd7 Qe6 36. Qb7 Re8 37. Qb5 Rd8 38. Qxc4 Qxc4 39. Nxc4 Nf5 40. Kf2 Rb8 41. Rd2 Rb4 42. Ne3 Nxd4 43. Nd5 Rc4 44. b4 $11) 28... Qe6 29. Nf5 Nxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Ding regretted playing this move.} (29... Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30. Nxe7+ Qxe7 31. Qf5 Bc5 $11 {White's position is still more comfortable in practice, but the worst is over.}) 30. exf5 Qf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (30... Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right square for the queen, but it's more natural to a human to bring it closer to the king.} 31. Qf4 Bd8 $11 {with only a slight plus for White.}) 31. Qe4 {[%CAl Re4a8]} Rb8 32. Re2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent prophylactic move, defending b2 and thus avoiding the counterplay with b5-b4.} Bc5 (32... b4 33. cxb4) {[%tqu "En","","","","g2g4","(%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true) Another great move, mixing attack and defense. The f5-pawn is protected and this is important to free the queen.",10]} 33. g4 $1 $16 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another great move, mixing attack and defense. The f5-pawn is protected and this is important to free the queen.} Qd8 (33... b4 34. Qxc4) 34. Qd5 {[%CAl Re2e8]} Kf8 35. Kf1 {A difficult move. On the broadcast, Giri said that this is the kind of move that wins games. The idea is to improve the king's position, taking it away from the bishop's diagonal, thus preparing the decisive plan to pass the rook to the attack. 35.Kg2 is also possible, with a similar idea.} (35. Kg2) (35. Re4 Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Here we see one of the benefits of the move played in the game, as Black now threatens to capture on f2 with check.}) ({Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 35. Kh2 Qc8 36. Nh4 Qb7 37. Qd1 d5 38. f6 $1 {[%CAl Gh4f5]} Qc6 (38... gxf6 $2 {Stockfish dev-20230314-f0556dcb:} 39. Nf5 Kg8 40. Nxh6+ Kh7 41. Qd2 Bf8 42. Nf5 $18) 39. fxg7+ Kxg7 40. Qd2 Rd8 41. Nf5+ Kh7 42. Re5 Bf8 43. Kg1 b4 44. cxb4 d4 45. Nxd4 Qb6 46. Qc2+ Kg8 47. Nf5 Qxb4 48. Re4 Rd2 49. Qxc4 Qb7 50. b3 $16) 35... Rc8 (35... Qc8 {with the idea of bringing the queen to b7, is the only chance to defend, but taking the queen out of the defense from f5-f6 and g4-g5 advances is difficult in the heat of the game.} 36. f6 (36. g5 Qb7) 36... gxf6 37. Qe4 $16 {[%csl Re4][%CAl Ge4h7,Gh7h8] Black's position remains very difficult, albeit not yet lost.}) 36. Re4 $1 {[%CAl Ge4g4,Rg4g8] [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook supports the decisive kingside break with f6 or g5.} Rb8 {For lack of a better option, Ding decides to wait out the inevitable.} 37. g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} hxg5 (37... Qd7 {is more stubborn.}) 38. Rg4 Ra8 (38... Qf6 39. Nxg5 {[%CAl Gg5h7,Rh7f8,Rh7f6] wins easily.}) (38... f6 39. Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the beautiful point of White's previous moves.} gxh4 {[%tqu "En","","","","h5h6","",10]} 40. h6 gxh6 41. Qg8+ Ke7 42. Rg7#) 39. Nxg5 Ra1+ 40. Ke2 (40. Kg2 {is also winning:} Qa8 41. Qxa8+ Rxa8 42. f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxf6 43. Nh7+ Ke7 44. Re4+ Kd7 45. Nxf6+ Kc6 46. Re8 Rxe8 47. Nxe8 Kd7 48. h6 {[%CAl Gh6h7]} Kxe8 49. h7 {The poor bishop is not able to do anything.}) 40... Qe7+ 41. Ne4 Qe8 42. Kf3 Qa8 43. Qxa8+ {I expected Nepomniachtchi to play on his style, keeping the queens and winning by attack. But he made the most \"professional\" decision, bringing the game to an easily winning endgame.} (43. Qd2 {the queen goes to g5 with a winning attack.}) 43... Rxa8 44. f6 g6 (44... gxf6 45. Nxf6 Ke7 46. Ng8+ Kf8 47. h6 $1 {[%CAl Gh6h7] The h-pawn is unstoppable.}) 45. hxg6 fxg6 46. Rxg6 Ra2 {[%tqu "En","","","","f3g4","",10]} 47. Kg4 {[%CAl Gg4f5,Gf5e6]} Rxb2 48. Rh6 {The king goes to f5 and White has a mating net. With the third decisive game out of five, each better than the other, this is one of the best starts to a world championship match in history. If before the event started there was doubt about the true interest of the public due to Carlsen's absence, the games spoke for themselves and I imagine that chess fans all over the world can't wait for the next battle.} (48. Rh6 Bxf2 49. Rh8+ Kf7 50. Kf5 {with mate next move.}) 1-0