The score is now tied at the World Championship match in Astana, as Ding Liren defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi with white in Thursday’s game 4. Ding had a favorable pawn structure in the center when Nepo blundered on move 28, allowing the Chinese to play a powerful exchange sacrifice.

Following a disappointing defeat, Ian Nepomniachtchi scored a remarkable win with white to regain the lead at the World Championship match in Astana. Once the Russian gained the initiative, he played flawlessly, making the most of his superior minor piece. Ding Liren will get a chance to bounce back in Sunday’s sixth game, when he will have the white pieces for a third time in the match.

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 In the third consecutive decisive game of the World Championship match, Ding Liren played the London System and beat Ian Nepomniachtchi to once again even the score in Astana. Nepo described the game as one of his worst ever, while Ding confessed that he had not prepared the line that appeared on the board. Game 7 will take place on Tuesday. 

A dramatic seventh game saw Ian Nepomniachtchi taking the lead for a third time at the World Championship match in Astana. Ding Liren shocked the audience by playing the French Defence, which led to a double-edged position. While Ding managed to solve his problems and gain the initiative, he also got in deep time trouble. With only seconds on his clock and no increment, he blundered the game away.

Drama continues to unfold at the World Championship match in Astana. Following four decisive games, Ding Liren played enterprisingly with the white pieces and gained a decisive advantage. Amid a tactical middlegame, Ian Nepomniachtchi was resourceful in defence, as he also garnered a big lead on the clock. Nepo managed to escape with a draw and continues to have a 1-point lead on the scoreboard. 

Going for a mainstream system in elite-GM practice, Ding Liren managed to hold a draw with the black pieces in game 9 of the World Championship match. Ian Nepomniachtchi did get an edge, but could not break through Ding’s defences. The Russian GM thus kept his 1-point lead, as five games remain to be played in Astana.

With four games to go, Ian Nepomniachtchi continues to have a 1-point lead at the World Championship match in Astana. Nepo, playing black, surprised Ding Liren out of an English Opening, and had little trouble defending the slightly inferior position that ensued. The Russian GM will get the white pieces in Monday’s game 11.