Ian Nepomniachtchi confirmed clear disappointment on the conclusion of the drawn sport 9 of the
World Chess Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The gamers have modified opening variations on daily basis and as we speak Ding Liren performed the
Berlin Defence to the Ruy Lopez. This selection has been one of the vital widespread decisions
in excessive stage probability for a very long time now, it is strong and black can analysis deeply.

Nepomniachtchi selected 4.d3 and Ding’s preparation appeared to run fairly deep. 15….Qc7
was a really fascinating concept however Ding didn’t observe it up accurately, 17…Rb8?!
while not horrible is the transfer that began to trigger difficulties, the pawn sacrifice
17…Bf8 was finest (it is so sound it is even uncertain Nepomniachtchi would have taken it).

Ding’s place took on a ragged look together with his pawn construction being very poor on the
queenside. The computer systems thought Ding was OK after the dangerous trying 24….Rc2, as an alternative
24…Rb5 was performed and two strikes later with 26…Be6 Ding was pressured to supply the trade.
Nepomniachtchi turned it down and took the Bishop on e6 as an alternative, it is arduous accountable
him for this however grabbing the trade might need led to extra profitable probabilities. With
32.Qxa4 white liquidated into an endgame. Ding had a option to make on transfer 38….Nd2 seemed
dangerous however the neat trick 39.g4 Nf4! produces equality. After not discovering this (and it is a very
unusual concept) Ding went into an endgame a pawn down which ought to be drawn with finest play
however which additionally assured a little bit of struggling. Nepomniachtchi pressed arduous and put Ding
beneath strain. Ding was equal to the duty and after 55.h3! he progressively took the sport
to a very drawn place.

Nepomniachtchi instantly after the sport confirmed annoyance with himself that he did not
win, he performed the endgame no less than fairly properly however in the long run he simply did not have
a profitable place. Possibly if he’d grabbed the trade he might need gained however that might
have gotten very messy certainly.

Ding Liren: “All the things is linked – time administration, high quality of strikes, calculation of strains. So, as we speak I spent much less time on the calculation, however the high quality, as you’ll be able to see, suffered lots.”..
“I assumed it was a simple draw however then I realised it was not so easy. I might simply get a misplaced place. So, I assumed that possibly …h3 is the one transfer to save lots of the sport.”
…”I ready this line a while in the past. However then I completely missed the concept of my opponent, and sooner or later, I could not discover the continuation of the sport. Possibly I had an opportunity there; I ought to spend extra time in some positions.”

Ian Nepomniachtchi: “I ought to have created extra issues on the endgame, however it was not really easy to maneuver my pawns ahead. The endgame appears possibly harmful for Black, however most likely there’s a draw.”

Rating Nepomniachtchi 5-4 Ding, better of 14.

Relaxation Day Saturday twenty second April 2023.

Recreation 10 Ding Liren vs Ian Nepomniachtchi on Sunday twenty third April 10am UK time.