Video games 3 and 4 of the 14-game match between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren have simply been performed in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The winner will likely be topped as the brand new World Champion in classical chess, following Magnus Carlsen’s abdication of the title. 

The schedule of video games could be discovered right here, with Lichess offering a reside broadcast transmission of all video games. Learn under for detailed ideas and annotations on the video games from GM David Navara – one of many strongest gamers on this planet (FIDE Score: 2676, World Rank: 59), together with extra normal impressions given on the event to date. 

Recreation 3

The annotations by David Navara are offered within the embed under, with a direct hyperlink to the examine out there right here.

https://lichess.org/examine/SkQqKSso/t9bzSaMp

In Video games 1 and a couple of, issues have been wanting dire for Ding – in a really touching and human collection of interviews and press conferences, he readily shared he was feeling anxious and depressed with the pressures of the match and the tip of a private relationship. Along with his psychology in flux, Ding didn’t look comfy and after dropping Recreation 2, had an uphill wrestle forward of him.

With a relaxation day to recuperate, the place he apparently listened to the discography of Bob Dylan along with his second, Richard Rapport, (Blowin’ within the Wind is Ding’s favourite) – it was vital for Ding to cease the bleeding in Recreation 3. 

Nepomniachtchi selected a stunning opening weapon with 1. d4, one thing he performs not often. The gamers entered a line Ding had performed towards Giri in on-line speedy in 2022 (with that encounter ending in a draw), and whereas it felt Ding had a little bit extra momentum, the place was total balanced. It may be a danger to over push, with the primary consideration for Ding being merely to place the loss behind him. 

(Picture – FIDE / Stev Bonhage)

A repetition was made and accepted, with neither participant prepared to take an pointless danger. For Ding, an important goal was achieved, securing a draw with the black items after coming off a loss. 

Psychologically, Ding appears to have recovered, spending extra time on the board and being extra comfy answering interview questions. 

Recreation 4

The annotations by David Navara are offered within the embed under, with a direct hyperlink to the examine out there right here.

https://lichess.org/examine/SkQqKSso/MeY7tGG0

A extra assured wanting Ding with white opened with 1. c4, maybe in search of vengeance for his earlier loss towards Nepomniachtchi within the 2022 Madrid Candidates, which started with the identical opening transfer. 

They opted for a line which Ding’s second, Richard Rapport, had coincidentally performed and gained with in 2013. Ding diverged with 11. O-O discovering an enchancment from Rapport’s recreation. In the course of the press convention, Ding confirmed he discovered this transfer over the board, along with his preparation ending at 9… Nf4. The place regarded promising for white with a robust pawn heart and with black’s items being uncoordinated. 

(Picture – FIDE / Stev Bonhage)

Pressure remained excessive, with a place the engine gave a wonderfully equal analysis to, the place Ding’s pawn sacrifice was compensated with a positional benefit. From a human perspective, the stress was on Nepomniachtchi to seek out one of the best transfer every time in a really defensive place, whereas Ding had extra freedom and a larger vary of completely good candidate strikes. 

In our preview, we highlighted Nepomniachtchi can seemingly undergo from lapses in focus when making committal strikes in complicated drawn positions, and maybe can undergo from frustration in positions the place he has passivity. This appeared to come up with 28… Nd4 – a blunder Ding was fast to capitalize on. The place rapidly grew to become hopeless for Nepomniachtchi – and Ding secured an vital victory, taking the general rating to 2 – 2 with 10 video games left to play. 

Snap verdict

Supporters of Ding can have far more to reassure them about Ding’s play from the final two video games. Whereas there’s nonetheless an extended technique to go on this match and it stays anybody’s event, the ends in these two video games and his total demeanor recommend extra of a return to his standard stage of play. 

It would now be Nepomniachtchi’s flip to dig deep and discover psychological resilience after what should be a disappointing loss for him and his group. Losses have traditionally additionally been a wrestle for him, having been liable to “tilt” previously. However the remainder day will give him a possibility to recuperate – after which it is going to be his flip to cease the bleeding. 

For spectators, the rating equalizing is simply a constructive; it makes it extra possible that preventing chess will proceed to be seen, from two gamers who could be very risky. Nonetheless, given the seemingly outstanding psychological restoration from Ding, the creator believes the momentum is now with him.

To beat such pressures and stress at this stage after which come again with a essential win solely days later reveals indicators of that psychological fortitude and stability Ding was famend for returning to him. From what we’ve seen in these first 4 video games, if Ding has no relapse, an total victory for him feels not simply attainable however extra seemingly.

Lichess is usually operating World Championship Thematic Arenas on the times of the event – with positions taken from the video games. Ensure you comply with our social media to see when the subsequent one will likely be!

(Title picture – FIDE / Stev Bonhage)