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.

By winning game 4 of the rapid tiebreakers — after three draws — Ding Liren became the 17th undisputed world chess champion! Ian Nepomniachtchi seemed to have things under control in the deciding game, and even a bit of an advantage at times, but he overestimated his chances and allowed Ding to get a dangerous passer. Ding kept his nerves and converted his advantage brilliantly.

The intermediate 17...Nxb3+ is also possible.

This was the idea: Black just ignored White's threat to win the exchange - not the mate threat, of course . . . Thus Black repulses White's attack; he has one pawn for the exchange as well as pressure against the e4-pawn and along the c-file.

A fine central queen! Black clearly has sufficient play for the exchange and a draw was agreed on move 32 .

Here it seems that Black does not have to fear the standard sacrifice on g5 .