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.
Ding Liren scored a rollercoaster win in Game 12 to level the World Championship match scores at 6:6 with two games to go. Ian Nepomniachtchi played a dubious opening but won the middlegame battle and was suddenly playing fast and well in a dominant position. A win would mean almost certainly becoming the 17th World Champion, but Ian played too fast, lost control and ultimately crumbled under pressure. Match on!
The penultimate classical game of the World Championship match finished in a 39-move draw. Ding Liren got good chances to go for the win with the black pieces, failed to handle them well, and ended up needing to play accurately to hold the draw. This was Ian Nepomniachtchi’s last game with white in the classical portion of the match. Game 14 will be played on Saturday.
Ding Liren boldly tried to create winning chances with white in game 14 of the World Championship match, the last classical encounter of the confrontation. The strategy backfired, as the Chinese GM misplayed the position and needed accurate defence to hold a draw in a game that ended up lasting over six and a half hours. Rapid playoffs on Sunday will decide the winner.