2023-05-01BritishChessMagazine

Volume 143
MAY
2023
DING
THE SEVENTEENTH
CHINA'S TOP PLAYER
MAKES HISTORY
WITH WORLD CHESS
CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
FROM
TEARS OF
SORROW TO
TEARS OF JOY:
DING LIREN’S
STRUGGLE
BEHIND THE
SCENES
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NEPO-DING MATCH:

AN INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF ARBITER NEBOJSA BARALIC
IMPRESSUM
Contents
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
Founded 1881
www.britishchessmagazine.co.uk
Chairman Shaun Taulbut

Director Stephen Lowe
Editors CHIEF ARBITER
299
Milan Dinic and Shaun Taulbut NEBOJSA BARALIC
Insights on the
Photo editor
David Llada
thrilling weeks in Astana
Prepress Specialist
Milica Mitic 260 The complete guide to the match
and the 18 games that determined
Photography
the new world champion (Part One):
Stev Bonhage, David Llada,
$QQD6KWRXUPDQ),'(2᯵FLDO
Ding the Seventeenth
3ROVNL=ZLÇ]HN6]DFKRZ\S]V]DFKSO By GM Aleksandar Colovic
Shutterstock, Wikipedia
298 The end of an era:
Advertising After 10 years on the throne,
Stephen Lowe Magnus Carlsen No longer
world champion
Enquiries By Milan Dinic
[email protected]
,661
304 Boat Race of the Brain
© The British Chess Magazine Limited By GM Raymond Keene OBE
&RPSDQ\/LPLWHGE\6KDUHV 307 Openings for Amateurs

5HJLVWHUHGLQ(QJODQG1R Nightmares in the Najdorf, Part V
The Positional Crush
Postal correspondence: By Pete Tamburro
$OEDQ\+RXVH6KXWH(QG
:RNLQJKDP%HUNVKLUH5*%-
312 Quotes and Queries
Subscription
The March of the Kings
[email protected] By Alan Smith
PRQWKO\LVVXHV
UK: £55 | RoW: £85 315 problem world
By Christopher Jones
Printed in the UKE\/DYHQKDP3UHVV/WG
316 Endgame Studies
Cover photography: Remembering the Classics
Stev Bonhage
By Alan Smith
258 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

)5207($562)62552:727($562)-2<
DING LIREN’S STRUGGLE BEHIND THE SCENES
In a period of three weeks, Chinese of time listening to the hits from the 80s
Grandmaster Ding Liren (pronounced (great choice!), his mother and the chess
Lee−zhen) went from being underdog family around him.
to becoming the 17th world champion in The final moments of the last tiebreak
chess. His success is monumental, both rapid game in Astana will go down in chess
from a personal perspective and from the history as one of the most emotional and
viewpoint of what he has achieved for his exciting moments ever witnessed.
home country, China. As the realization dawned on
For the first time ever, a world champion Nepomniachtchi that he was completely lost
in chess in the open section is from China. without any hope of a comeback, a sense of
After years of dominating the women’s desolation suddenly washed over him, and
chess, the country of the Red Dragon now his face betrayed his distress. Trying to hold
holds world chess titles in both the open on to something, he nervously reached for
and the women’s category. This success is the captured pieces on the side, causing
a testament to China’s huge efforts over a few to tumble from the table. With his
the years to promote chess in the country hand trembling, he made his final move.
and will likely be a significant incentive for Ding, sensing the end was near, responded
further investment in the game, including quickly and decisively. In less than a
hosting more tournaments and chess camps. second, Nepomniachtchi resigned and leapt
Ding’s victory also heralds a shift in out of his seat.
the chess world’s centre of gravity back As Ding realized he had won, his face
to the East. If we put aside that, at least was a picture of shock and disbelief. He
in chess terms, Russia is now considered sat at the board, head in hands, coming to
to be part of Asia, the two chess nations terms with the enormity of what he had just
which are set to fight for dominance in the achieved. And then, as the cameras turned
coming years will be China and India. The away and Nepomniachtchi quickly exited the
latter has been pouring resources into chess playing hall, Ding was in there alone, with
programs across the country, with the goal Chief Arbiter Nebojsa Baralic being the only
of producing a world champion. other person present. He stood up, walked
But behind Ding’s victory lies an into his private room, sat down and − broke
emotional story of struggle and triumph. into a river of tears. For ten minutes the new
Just before the match in Astana, Ding’s World Champion was sitting on his own,
girlfriend broke up with him. As a result, crying his heart out. Everything he had been
he was living "a bromance with Rapport," through poured out of him - the pressure,
his charismatic Hungarian second. the ups and downs, the walk on the thin
This explained a lot: the change of the line of defeat and victory. In that moment,
hotel, the need to be alone, being away he wasn’t just the world champion of chess;
from the chessboard for most of game one, he was a human being, experiencing the full
both physically and mentally absent from range of emotions that come with achieving
what was happening. something truly remarkable.
Most people have had that experience Ding Liren reached and passed that
in life but for some being left broken− horizon of victory which only 17 people
hearted can hit harder when it comes at a had experienced in life, in the 137 year−long
particularly challenging moment. Still, as history of chess matches. Congratulations
we have seen in Astana, Ding managed to Ding Liren on his historic victory!
to push through, thanks to the help of his
second Rapport with whom he spent a lot Editor
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 259

05/143
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE MATCH AND THE 18 GAMES

THAT DETERMINED THE NEW WORLD CHAMPION (PART ONE)
DING THE SEVENTEENTH

By GM Aleksandar Colovic; www.alexcolovic.com
Photo: FIDE/ Steve Bonhege / Anna Shtourman / David Llada
A fairy tale always has a happy ending. Nepomniachtchi won the Candidates to
challenge the World Champion Magnus
For the new World Champion, the Carlsen for the second time in a row.
story started with a player (Karjakin) But Fate would have it otherwise.
being disqualified from the Candidates
Tournament. To be able to play, Ding Liren Carlsen decided to abdicate his title,
was forced to play 29 classical games within dissatisfied with the format of the whole
one month to comply with the regulations cycle and the match in particular.
and be allowed to play as a replacement.
This meant that Ding Liren, as second−
Things weren’t going great at the 2022 placed in Madrid, got a chance to play a
Madrid Candidates, where he spent the World Championship match.
whole first half of the event on a minus
score. He won three games in a row at the So, after a series of very unlikely events,
beginning of the second half, but a loss to Ding Liren made it to Kazakhstan.
Radjabov meant that he had no chances to
win it anymore. A final round win from a Astana hosted the match from 9−30 April,
drawn position against Nakamura gave him with 14 games of classical chess followed
the second spot, but, as they say, there is by four games of rapid tie−breaks and
only one winner at the Candidates. further blitz games if required.

May 2023
Many experts, yours truly included, XIIIIIIIIY

gave Nepomniachtchi a slight preference
because of his previous experience of 9r+lwqk+-tr0
playing a match of this calibre. This was 9+pzp-vlpzpp0
confirmed at the beginning of the match, 9p+p+-sn-+0
especially in the first two games, when it
was clear that Ding Liren couldn’t control 9+-+-zp-+-0
his nerves. But… 9-+-+P+-+0
In this and the next issue of BCM we bring 9+-+-+N+-0
you a detailed look into every game of the 9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
match that decided the new - 17th - world 9tRNvLQtR-mK-0
chess champion. We will break down all
the key points both on and off the board xiiiiiiiiy
with the aim of producing a rounded Previously, Ding has faced the more
picture of the match which crowned the common 7.d3 d7 (or 7...d6 8.bd2
new king of chess. e6 9.b3 e7 which was played
in a game Ding lost, to Anish Giri at
In Part One we will follow the first games the Ekaterinburg Candidates in 2021,
of the match where Nepo showed more though that loss had nothing to do with
consistency, while Ding’s performance the opening, where in fact he was doing
was more shakey. These games laid the great.) 8.c3 0-0 9.e3 e8 10.d2
groundwork for the heart−stopping finale f8Grischuk,A (2745)−Ding Liren
in part two. (2811) chess.com SpeedChess 2022
blitz (1.34) 0-1.
Game 1 :
7...d7 A common move in these
THE EMOTIONALLY WEAK DING structures, Black defends the pawn on e5
that was hanging.
Nepomniachtchi – Ding, ½:½
09.04.2023 7...g4 is a sharp alternative, but one
that you cannot really play without good
1.e4 e5 Both players stick to their usual knowledge of the lines after the piece
opening choices. sacrifice after 8.h3 h5 9.g4 xg4!
10.hxg4 xg4 which should give Black
2.f3 c6 3.b5 a6 4.a4 f6 5.0-0 good compensation.
e7 Ding Liren’s main opening against
1.e4 has always been the Marshall 8.d4 Nepomniachtchi goes for direct play
Gambit, so he doesn’t mind playing it in in the centre, as playing slowly after having
a World Championship either. It was also played 7.e1 made less sense.
Carlsen’s choice in his last match against
Nepomniachtchi. 8...exd4 9.xd4 9.xd4 was an
alternative, but Nepomniachtchi was still in
6.xc6!? A curious choice. Objectively, his preparation, so he must have considered
it’s clear that the move cannot pose the queen recapture stronger. 9...e5
serious problems, but for a one−game 10.f4 f6 gives Black good play.
idea, it is quite an appropriate one.
9...0-0 10.f4 c5 11.e3 11.xd8
6...dxc6 7.e1 The second surprise. xd8 is good for Black as after ...e6 he
will defend the pawn on c7 and will be able
to move the bishop from d8.

05/143
11...g4 Black continues with development. White’s aggressive attempts.) 16...xg7

17.h6 xf5 18.exf5 g6 19.fxg6 hxg6
11...e6 was an alternative. 12.g3 with the simplifications leading to an
c5 13.c3 a5 threatening ...b4 equal position.
14.bd2 (14.a3?? b4 is a nice trick
that wins material for Black.) 14...e8 15...xe7 16.g3 h5 Ding plays
Black has good play, though he needs a positionally, without any drastic measures,
bit patience as his bishop on c8 is not but this slowly gets him in trouble.
yet developed.
16...f5!? was an idea to get rid of the space−
12.d4 12.e5 is met by 12...h5 13.h3 gaining pawn on e4. Black is close to
e6! 14.e3 g6 with a balanced position. equality after 17.exf5 xf5
12...d7 Black managed to finish 17.f3 f6 18.h3 h6 Both players play

development and connect the rooks, but generally useful moves, which don’t
his development is not harmonious as his change the character of the position. White
pieces are somewhat scattered. is more comfortable here as his bishop is
more active and exerts unpleasant pressure
13.c3 ad8 14.f5 14.h3!? was a very on the c7-pawn.
interesting attempt, when Black had to find
the amazing move 14...fe8!! defending 19.h2 f7 The bishop had nothing to do
the bishop on e7 in advance. (14...xd4? on h5, so Black brings it back to f7. It’s
loses to 15.d5! f6 16.xf6+ gxf6 not much better there, so it made sense to
17.g3 when Black is left with a wrecked double the rooks on the d−file.
kingside shelter; 14...h5?! is worse after
15.f5 e6 16.g4! c5 17.f3 with a 20.ad1 20.a7 is an active try which is
strong initiative for White after 17...g6 well met by 20...b4.
18.ad1) 15.hxg4 (15.b3 xb3 16.axb3
h5 is fine for Black; 15.g3!? d6! 20...b6 This stops a7.
is another amazing resource. 16.e5
e7 17.xc6 xc6 18.xg4 e6 and 21.a3 White stops ...b4.
by provoking a pawn on e5 Black has
compensation thanks to his control of the 21...a5 22.e2 White has ideas like d4
light squares.) 15...xd4 16.xc7 xe3 or f4, to exchange the defender of the c7-
17.xe3 d2= with enough counterplay pawn − the knight on e6.
for equality.
22...xd1 23.xd1 d8 24.d3 White
14...e6 Possible, but not the most precise. doesn’t want to exchange on d8 and give
up the d−file.
14...xf5 was simpler, after 15.exf5 fe8
Black is fine, though he had to foresee 24...c5 This move frees the c6-square, so
that 16.b4? doesn’t trap the knight given Black can play ...c6 and remove the pawn
16...a4! 17.xa4 xb4 and suddenly from the attacked square.
Black wins!
24...xd3 was likely better, as after
15.xe7+ 15.h6!? was an interesting 25.xd3 (25.cxd3 c5 26.f4 h5!
try. Black should decline the sacrifice activates the bishop and is fine for Black,
by 15...h5 (15...gxh6? 16.g3 is just who will obtain control of the d4-square
too dangerous and also objectively bad.) after the exchange of the knight on e2.)
16.xg7 (or 16.g3 g6 17.ad1 e8 25...b5 Black has the idea of ...b4, to
when Black’s compact position resists all start some activity on the queenside.

May 2023
25.d2 c6?! 30...e6 31.f4 31.c3 prevents ...d4 and

XIIIIIIIIY keeps some advantage, for example, 31...c4
32.f5 a4 though with all Black’s pawns
9-+-tr-+k+0 safe it’s difficult to make progress.
9+-+-wqlzp-0
31...h5 31...d4 was a good alternative,
9-zpp+nzp-zp0 for example 32.c3 (or 32.xc5 xc2)
9zp-zp-+-+-0 32...b3 and the knight on b3 nicely covers
9-+-+P+-+0 the pawns on a5 and c5.
9zP-+R+PvLP0 32.c3 c4 32...h4 was possible. 33.f5 g6
9-zPPwQN+PmK0 34.e7 f7 with a sturdy position on the
light squares.
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 33.h4 White stops ...h4 now.
Ding was spending a lot of time on his
moves, but he didn’t manage to extinguish 33...d8 34.b7 34.xd8 xd8 35.f5
White’s initiative. By this moment he had b7 will be a draw as the opposite−
approximately one minute per move and coloured bishops don’t really allow for
without increments before move 60 his winning chances.
time−trouble was becoming serious. The
move he played follows the plan to remove 34...e8 35.f5 d7 Black finally
the pawn from c7, but it allows White to manages to control White’s activity.
attack the weakened queenside pawns after
the queen penetration. 36.b8 d8 Pushing the pawn to a4 was
also good.
25...xd3 26.xd3 e8 was more patient
and resilient. After 27.a6 d7 Black is 36...a4.
holding, though it’s not very pleasant.
37.xd8 xd8 38.d4 b7 39.e5 g8
26.xd8+ xd8 27.f4 The threat is b8 The king comes to the centre and the draw
and c7 or c7, targeting the b6-pawn. is near.
27...b5 28.b8 h7 29.d6? 40.g3

Nepomniachtchi misses his best chance in XIIIIIIIIY
the game.
9-+-+l+k+0
29.c7! e6 30.xa5 d7 appears that 9+n+-+-zp-0
Black obtains counterplay on the d−file,
though after 31.f4 White is clearly on 9-+pvL-zp-+0
top and remains a pawn up, for example, 9zpp+-zP-+p0
31...d4 (or 31...d1 32.xe6 xe6 9-+psN-zP-zP0
33.c7) 32.b6! xc2 33.xc5.
9zP-zP-+-mK-0
29...d7 30.g3 30.c7 xc7 31.xc7 9-zP-+-+P+0
b7 32.g3 is still more pleasant for
White, though Black should be able to hold 9+-+-+-+-0
by bringing his king to the centre via g8 xiiiiiiiiy
and f8 to e7; 40...d7 40...xd6?? would be terrible, as
41.exd6 f7 42.f5! cuts off the black king
30.xc5 d2 gives Black counterplay. and White wins after 42...d7 43.f4 e8

05/143
44.e4 f7 (44...d8 45.e6+ wins the (2782) chess.com Speed 2021 blitz (2.11)
pawn on g7) 45.e2 with $d4-c5 to come. 1-0 15.f1! here would have given White
some advantage thanks to Black’s exposed
41.c7 c5 Going for activity, though queenside and it would have shown the
there was nothing wrong with the simple usefulness of the move e1.
41...f7.
2.c4 e6 3.f3 d5 Nepomniachtchi sticks to
42.xa5 f7 43.b4 d3 Targeting his prepared repertoire for the match with
White’s only weakness, the pawn on b2. Carlsen.
44.e6+ xe6 45.xc6 d7 46.d4 4.h3!?

xb2 47.f3 d3 48.g3 c1 49.e3 XIIIIIIIIY
½-½ 9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
The fact that Ding Liren drifted from 9-+-+psn-+0
only a slightly uncomfortable position to 9+-+p+-+-0
an almost lost one showed that he wasn’t 9-+PzP-+-+0
emotionally ready to play under such a big
tension. He was still unstable in the second 9+-+-+N+P0
game, when his willingness to fight was 9PzP-+PzPP+0
completely mismatched with the state of
his nervous system. 9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Game 2: A shocking move, but in hindsight this
move was the first sign of Ding’s match
NEPO’S VICTORY strategy with the White pieces. As his next
THAT HELPED DING white games showed, he was looking for
ways to avoid theoretical disputes by either
Ding – Nepomniachtchi, 0-1 deviating early, like in this case, or by
choosing non−topical lines (like the London
10.04.2023 and the Colle). From a more concrete point
of view, the move is aimed at avoiding
1.d4 f6 For a better understanding of Nepomniachtchi’s prepared Semi−Tarrasch
what happened in the game, we need to after 4.c3 c5 5.cxd5 cxd4 which served
take a look at a game Ding played against him well after the match with Carlsen.
Aronian in 2021. 1...d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.f3
f6 4.e3 e6 5.xc4 c5 6.0-0 a6 7.e1 c6 4...dxc4 Black can react in any sensible
8.c3 b5 9.d3 b7 10.a4 b4 11.e4 way and would get a decent position, for
a5 if we compare this position to the one example, 4...e7, and 4...c6 are perfectly
from the game after Black’s 11th move fine. However, the choice Black has to make
we will notice that here White has played depends on his prepared defence against the
e1 while in the game White has h3. The more natural 4.c3. By not playing either
rook move is clearly more useful, as it can of the mentioned moves, we can safely
support e4, but it’s also interesting to note assume that Nepomniachtchi didn’t prepare
that faced with the same choice as in the the Queen’s Gambit Declined or the Semi−
game, here Ding chose the more sensible Slav for this match.
recapture on c5. 12.xc5 xc5 13.dxc5
d7 (13...e4 is a possible improvement.) 5.e3 c5 6.xc4 a6 7.0-0 c6 Now we
14.c6 xc6 Ding Liren (2799)−Aronian,L have a position from the Queen’s Gambit

May 2023
Accepted where White has played the move 12.xc5 was described as "mostly
h3 instead of the more common moves drawish" by Ding. It is the better move as
c3, a4, e2, b3 or d3. it’s safer and it also promises White a small
pull after 12...xc5 13.dxc5 e4! (or
8.c3 b5 9.d3 b7 10.a4 b4 11.e4 13...d7 14.c6 xc6 15.e2 with a slight
a5 11...cxd4 12.exd4 e7 13.e1 leads advantage for White, similar to the game
to a typical position with an IQP on d4 that with Aronian mentioned above.) 14.xe4
offers mutual chances. (14.d4? loses a piece to 14...xd3
15.xd3 e5) 14...xd1 15.xd1 xe4
12.xf6+?! 16.c6 b3 17.b1 d8 18.d4 though
XIIIIIIIIY Black should be able to hold this without
too much trouble after 18...e7.
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9+l+-+pzpp0 12...gxf6! A surprise for Ding, who was
expecting only 12...f6. A surprising
9p+-+psN-+0 confession, failing to consider the other
9sn-zp-+-+-0 possible candidate move.
9Pzp-zP-+-+0 12...xf6 13.e4 h6 was also good for Black,
9+-+LzPN+P0 but with the game move Nepomniachtchi
9-zP-+-zPP+0 shows that he intends to fight for the initiative.
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0 13.e4?! An imprecision, which allows
xiiiiiiiiy Black to obtain a powerful queenside
Ding spent more than half an hour on this majority.
move. It’s the turning point of the game, as
he put it afterwards. He wanted to fight, but 13.dxc5 xc5 14.e4 was better, with a
psychologically he wasn’t ready and this roughly balanced and sharp position after
showed in the remainder of the game. 14...g8 15.e2 b6 followed by ...0-0-0.

05/143
13...c4! Now White suffers from a lack of "Brilliant move" − Ding. White is now
space on the queenside. busted.
14.c2 c7 Black prepares long castle. 19.c2 An admission that something has
gone terribly wrong.
14...b3! 15.b1 b6 with the idea of
...0-0-0 and ...b4 would have emphasised The strength of the move is seen after
White’s suffocation on the queenside. the natural 19.exf5 xd4! when Black’s
attack crashes through. A nice sample
15.d2 g8 White’s last move was aimed line is 20.xd4 xg2+ 21.f1 xf2+!
against 15...b3? when White can play 22.xf2 h2+ 23.e3 h6#; 19.h1
16.b1 and with the idea of e2 and can be met in more than one way,
xa5, he will exploit the weak pawn on c4. for example:
16.c1?! Completing development, but natural A) 19...g7!? with the idea of 20.e5
moves soon land White in serious trouble. (20.xb4 xd4 wins for Black as
White’s position falls apart.) 20...f8!;
16.e1 was more to the point, immediately
initiating concrete play against the pawn on B) 19...f6 freeing the seventh rank for the
b4. After 16...f5 (or 16...b6 17.c1 when queen;
17...0-0-0?! can be met by 18.d3!) 17.e2!
(17.xb4? is bad in view of 17...xb4 18.xb4 C) 19...e5 20.d5 f6! with the idea ...g7.
fxe4 19.e1 d5 when Black is practically
winning due to his central dominance and 19...c6 Black was for choice here.
White’a pathetic light pieces.) 17...0-0-0
18.ad1 the position is very complicated but 19...f6 was considered by Nepomniachtchi
objectively White is not worse. and was also very good;
16...0-0-0 17.d3? Most likely based on a 19...e5 20.d5 f6 threatening ...fxe4 when
miscalculation. the pawn on d5 would also fall.
17.e1 f5 18.h1 was the way to 20.g5 20.b1 fxe4 (20...xd4 was
continue, though Black has the initiative mentioned by Nepomniachtchi at the
after 18...c6. press conference, but it’s less good
than the capture on e4. 21.xd4 c5!
17...b8 18.e1 Intending f1, but... 22.xc4 xd4 23.xd4 xd4 24.f3
when White’s disadvantage is minimal.)
18...f5! 21.xe4 f5! either clears the long
XIIIIIIIIY diagonal for the bishop on b7 or forces
9-mk-tr-vlr+0 the exchange of the bishop on e4 for
the knight on c6, which is devastating:
9+lwq-+p+p0 22.xc6 (22.b1 xd4 is curtains.)
9p+-+p+-+0 22...xc6 23.f4+ a8 24.h1 g7
9sn-+-+p+-0 White won’t be able to survive this for
much longer.
9PzppzPP+-+0
9+-+L+N+P0 20...xg5!
9-zP-vL-zPP+0
9+-tRQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
May 2023
XIIIIIIIIY Game 3:
9-mk-tr-vl-+0 DING REGAINS HIS COMPOSURE
9+lwq-+p+p0 Nepomniachtchi – Ding, ½:½
9p+n+p+-+0 12.04.2023
9+-+-+ptr-0
9PzppzPP+-+0 1.d4 This was the first and only time in
the match when Nepomniachtchi deviated
9+-+-+N+P0 from 1.e4. In hindsight, this was probably
9-zPL+-zPP+0 not the best decision. As the next games
showed, Nepomniachtchi was able to put
9+-tRQtR-mK-0 considerable pressure in the Anti−Marshall,
xiiiiiiiiy so it made sense to apply that pressure
Just like Kasparov used to call the exchange immediately, while Ding was still reeling
sacrifices on c3 in the Sicilian "a matter of from the awful loss in the previous game.
chess culture" this exchange sacrifice falls
into the same category. 1...f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 d5 A small surprise,
as the Nimzo−Indian has been Ding’s main
21.xg5 xd4 Black’s pieces are opening.
dominating. The pair of bishops, the
possibility to attack along the g−file and the 4.cxd5 For many years the Exchange
potential passed pawn on the queenside all Variation was considered White’s best
add to Black’s decisive advantage. try for an advantage against this move−
order, but in the last several years Black
22.h5 f6 22...c5 was another way. found several ideas on how to deal with
23.xf7 f3+ (or 23...f4) 24.gxf3 Botvinnik’s plan of f3 and e4. We will see
g3+ 25.h1 xg5 with a winning some of these ideas in this game.
position.
4...exd5 5.g5 c6 6.e3 h6 7.h4 e7
23.f3 xc2 24.xc2 xe4 25.d2 d6 8.d3 0-0 9.c2 White is at a crossroad
The moment when Nepomniachtchi felt here and it may turn out that this move is
that the game was won. a small imprecision. Since White intends
f3 and e4, the queen may be better placed
26.h1 c3 27.bxc3 bxc3 28.d4 c2 on d2 later on, so it made sense to start
29.h6 e5 with 9.ge2. But since Nepomniachtchi
must have been in his preparation, we can
0-1 assume that he had his reason for preferring
the move with the queen.
A horrible loss, even more so with the 9...e8 With this move Black prevents the
white pieces! development of the knight to f3.
I think that this loss in fact helped 10.ge2 10.f3 can now be met by
Ding. After it, he found himself in the 10...e4! and after 11.xe7 xe7 the rook
more comfortable (for him) position on e8 helps the defence of the knight on e4.
of an underdog and the pressure was
substantially decreased. This was 10...bd7 The immediate 10...h5
immediately visible in the next game, is possible and it was played against
where Ding finally played on a good level Nepomniachtchi: 11.xe7 xe7 12.0-0
from start to finish. d7 13.ae1 f8 Nepomniachtchi, I

05/143
(2751)−Kramnik,V (2811) Zuerich Chess A subtle move. It is generally useful, to

Challenge Blitz2 6th 2017 (2) 1-0 stop a possible minority attack, but it’s also
a waiting move. Black wants to see how
11.0-0 11.f3 b5! is good for Black. His idea White will commit his pieces.
to combat Botvinnik’s plan is to be able to
push ...b4 at some point, disrupting White’s 11...h5 is possible. 12.xe7 xe7
harmonious development by attacking the when White has two plans: the minority
knight on c3. Another idea of ...b5 is to attack or f3 and e4. 13.ab1 (13.ae1
allow for the development of the bishop on f8 14.c1 f6 15.f3 e6 16.b3
b7, when after ...c5 the rook can come to intending e4 and here we see how the
the c−file. An illustration of Black’s idea pawn on a5 comes in handy for Black
can be seen after 12.e4? b4 13.a4 dxe4 − he can harass the knight on b3 with
14.fxe4 xe4! winning a pawn. ...a4, and even here the best move is 16...
a5!) 13...a5 again we see the usefulness
11...a5! of this move. (13...f8 14.b4 a6 15.a4
XIIIIIIIIY f6 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 c5) 14.a3 f8
15.b4 axb4 16.axb4 b5! when Black
9r+lwqr+k+0 intends ...d7-b6-c4;
9+p+nvlpzp-0
11...e4?! 12.xe7 xe7 13.xe4 dxe4
9-+p+-sn-zp0 14.fd1! with the idea of d5 gives White
9zp-+p+-+-0 some initiative.
9-+-zP-+-vL0 12.a3 White also decides to wait, making a
9+-sNLzP-+-0 semi−useful move.
9PzPQ+NzPPzP0
12.f3 b5! with the idea of ...a6 and ...b4
9tR-+-+RmK-0 gives Black good counterplay. A sample
xiiiiiiiiy line is 13.e4 b4 14.a4 dxe4 15.fxe4 xe4!

May 2023
(or even 15...c5 16.e5 d5 with unclear 22.xf2 when White can safely press in
play.) 16.xe7 xe7 17.xc6 d2! the endgame by attacking the d5-pawn
18.xa8 e3+ 19.f2 f6! threatening and advancing on the kingside.) 19.f2
...g4 with a strong attack and excellent b6 with the idea of ...a6. (or 19...cxd4
compensation; 20.exd4 d6 21.xe6 xe6 when the
position is close to equality, but White
A positional idea worth noting is 12.a4 may claim he’s a tiny bit better after
b8! when Black intends ...a6-b4. 22.e5 d7 23.e2)
12...h5 13.xe7 xe7 14.ae1 f8 18...d8! A sign of ambition.

Black waits with ...hf6 in order not to
allow g3. 18...d7 would have given White an easy
game after 19.xd7 xd7 20.a4.
15.c1 Now the knight can no longer go
to g3, so Black drops the knight back to f6. 19.dxc5 xc5 20.d2 Here we finally
see why the queen on c2 is not always on a
15...f6 16.f3 White follows in Botvinnik’s good square.
footsteps. He prepares e4.
20...d7!
16...e6 17.1e2 Up to this point the XIIIIIIIIY
players followed a game between Giri and
Ding, but here Nepomniachtchi deviates. 9r+-tr-+k+0
9+p+l+pzp-0
17.f2 was played in the mentioned game.
17...b5! may be an improvement, as (17...c5 9-+-+nsn-zp0
18.b5 d8 19.dxc5 xc5 was acceptable 9zpLwqp+-+-0
for Black in Giri,A (2761)−Ding Liren 9-+-+-+-+0
(2806) Chessable Masters Prelim rapid
2022 (6.5) ½-½) 18.e4? is met by 18...dxe4 9zP-sN-zPP+-0
19.fxe4 g4 when White loses the pawn 9-zP-wQN+PzP0
on d4.
9+-+-tRRmK-0
17...c5 Ding reacts in the same way as in xiiiiiiiiy
the game with Giri. Again an ambitious choice.
17...b5!? was a good alternative. 18.e4?! Ding could have made a draw more or less by
(18.a2 d7 with ...c5 next is good for force after 20...d4 21.exd4 xd4 22.xd4
Black − his space on the queenside and xd4+ 23.xd4 xd4 when White’s
active pieces easily compensate for the temporary initiative is easily extinguished,
IQP.) 18...b4! 19.axb4 axb4 20.d1 a7! for example, 24.e7 f8 25.c7 b8 with
shows another aspect of having moved the the idea of ...e6. Instead, despite being
a7-pawn earlier. The pressure on d4 gives one down in the match, he decides to keep
Black an advantage here. the tension and play on.
18.b5 A bit too safe. 21.xd7?! Allowing Black to show his

idea.
18.f4 was a more ambitious attempt.
18...d8 (18...xf4?! 19.exf4 is 21.d4 was better. 21...ac8 (21...xb5
awkward for Black as his pieces are 22.cxb5 a4 is also equal.) 22.c1
not well placed with the e−file open. xd4 23.exd4 d6 24.d3 b6 with
19...f8 20.dxc5 xc5+ 21.f2 xf2+ comfortable equality.

05/143
21...xd7! This introduces the idea of The third game is also important as it may
...b6(e5)−c4 and may have been missed have given Ding important information
by Nepomniachtchi. about his opponent’s treatment of the
Carlsbad structure. This will prove vital
22.d4 The pawn on d5 is taboo. later in the match.
22.xd5?! xe3+ 23.h1 dc5 gives In the next game, Ding felt ready to strike
Black the initiative; back.
22.xd5? b6 loses a piece. GAME 4:

22...b6 23.d1 c4 Black executed DING LIREN STIRKES BACK
the relocation of the knight and has slight
Ding – Nepomniachtchi, 1-0
initiative now.
13.04.2023
24.f2! Good defence.
1.c4 The English Opening has always been
24...ac8 White’s idea is seen after an integral part of Ding’s white repertoire.
24...xa3 25.e4! when he equalises without Even though he lost to Nepomniachtchi at
problems. 25...c4 (25...xd4 26.xd4 the Candidates in Madrid, he shows that
b5 27.xb5 xb5 28.fd1 and White he wasn’t afraid to use it again against the
regains the pawn on d5.) 26.xd5 again same opponent.
with equality.
1...f6 1...e5 was Nepomniachtchi’s
25.a4 e7 The queen can come to f6 in choice in Madrid. 2.g3 c6 3.f3 e4Ding
case White plays f5. Liren (2806)−Nepomniachtchi,I (2766)
FIDE Candidates 2022 (1.2) 0-1.
26.fe1 f6 26...xd4!? was possible.
27.xd4 b5 28.c3 c5 when Black 2.c3 If now 2.g3 Black can switch to Slav
continues to press, though White is structures with 2...c6
certainly very solid.
2...e5 3.f3 c6 4.e3 A major alternative
27.b5 c7 28.d4 28.xc7 xc7 to the traditional fianchetto with 4.g3.
29.c3 xb2! 30.xd5 g5! also leads
to equality. 4...b4 5.c2 xc3 The main
continuation avoiding d5 ideas.
28...e6 29.b5 c7 30.d4 e6
6.bxc3!? Taking with the queen may be
½-½ more natural, but practice has shown
that after 6.xc3 e7 intending ...d5
Black obtains good play. In line with his
Ding must have felt much better after this match strategy, Ding avoids theoretical
game. Not only did he manage to solve confrontations and keeps the game at a
his opening problems easily, he also slower pace.
managed to outplay Nepomniachtchi and
obtain some initiative. 6...d6 Black has alternatives, like 6...e4 or
6...0-0.
After the match Ding said that by Game 3
he was already feeling alright and managed 7.e4 Stopping ...e4. Now White has
to get over the psychological problems two plans − to advance either with d4
that plagued him in the first two games. or with f4.

May 2023
7...0-0 Black could have also postponed xg4 15.ab1 b6 16.b5! it will be White
castling with moves like 7...b6 or 7...h5. who will start attacking the kingside;
8.e2 The alternative is to develop 12...b6?! is premature as it weakens the

the bishop on g2, for example, long diagonal. 13.d3! White creates the
8.g3 e8 9.h4 e7Carlsen,M threat of e5, attacking the pawn on h7 and
(2843)−Topalov,V (2749) Gashimov threatening e4.
Memorial 5th 2018 (7) 1-0.
13.d3?! Now it seems it was Ding’s turn
8...h5 Black had other options as well. to mix up his preparation. He remembered
that d3 was an essential move for White
8...e7 9.0-0 g6 is a logical knight in these positions, but it wasn’t one in this
transfer, as in the game Tabatabaei,M exact position! White had several good
(2675)−Giri,A (2768) Chessable Play− options at his disposal.
In Match rapid 2023 (1.3) ½-½; Or 8...
h6 9.0-0 e7 10.d4 g6Tabatabaei,M 13.h3 stops ...g4. 13...g6 14.h2 and
(2677)−Caruana,F (2766) PRO League White will continue with ab1, d3 with
Prelim 2023 rapid (2.3) 0-1; the idea to push e5;
8...e8 9.0-0 f5 looks a bit premature as 13.c5 is a promising pawn sacrifice,

White has 10.d4! similar to what Ding played later in the
game. 13...dxc5 14.e5 e7 15.h4!? h6
9.d4! 9.xe5? xe5 10.xh5 g5 loses 16.e4 cxd4 17.cxd4 g4 18.xf4 e6
for White as the pawn on g2 drops. 19.d3 with a very comfortable position
for White, who has good attacking
9...f4?! It appears that Nepomniachtchi chances on the kingside;
mixed up his preparation as this gives
White an advantage. 13.ad1 is a developing move that
anticipates 13...g5?! which can now be met
9...f6 preparing ...f4 was better. Now by 14.c5! dxc5 15.e5! when Black only
10.g3!? is an interesting pawn sacrifice, weakened his kingside and White’s rook is
after 10...exd4 11.xd4 xd4 12.cxd4 very useful on d1.
xd4 13.b2 c5 14.e5!? White has
good compensation. 13...g4 Now Black should be fine.
10.xf4 exf4 11.0-0 Improving on a game 14.d2 a5 Ambitious play by Black,
played by his second, Rapport. White has who intends to go after the pawn on c4 with
a stable advantage thanks to his powerful ideas like ...c5, ...ac8 etc.
centre.
14...ad8 was probably the safest move, as
11.h4 looks too wild for a World Black should prevent c5.
Championship match. After 11...e8
12.d3 g4 13.g1! White eventually 15.c5 White’s main idea in the position.
won in Rapport,R (2621)−Zaragatski,I
(2460) Bundesliga 1213 2012 (10) 1-0. 15.a4 was another option, available
after Black’s last move. After 15...b6
11...f6 12.fe1 e8 Black banks on the 16.f3 e6 17.b3 xb3 18.axb3 White
solidity of his position. improved his pawn structure and will
play d5 or c5.
12...g5?! is risky as after 13.h3 g4 (13...h8
14.h2 stops Black’s advance.) 14.hxg4 15...dxc5 16.e5 h6 17.d5

05/143
XIIIIIIIIY 25.ae1 f5?!

9r+-+r+k+0 XIIIIIIIIY
9zppzp-+pzpp0 9-+-+r+k+0
9-+-+-+-wq0 9zp-zp-tr-zpp0
9sn-zpPzP-+-0 9-zp-+Pzp-wq0
9-+-+-zpl+0 9+-zpP+n+l0
9+-zPL+-+-0 9-+P+-zp-+0
9P+QsN-zPPzP0 9+-wQ-+L+P0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0 9P+-sNRzPP+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-tR-mK-0
White has excellent compensation for xiiiiiiiiy
the pawn. The imposing pawn duo make The knight aims for the d4-square, but it won’t
White’s position easier to play, though be very happy there. Psychologically this is
objectively Black should be fine. understandable, since Black played with a
bad knight on a5 for a long time, so activating
17...ad8 18.c4 b6 19.h3 h5 20.e4 it must have felt like a big improvement.
Neither side has a clear plan, but Black must
always be on the lookout for possible breaks 25...xf3?! 26.xf3! f5 27.d3
with d6 or e6. d4 28.e4 gives White the initiative,
threatening both the pawn on f4 and the
20...e7 Black decides to double on the exchange sacrifice on d4;
e−file to put pressure on the e5-pawn.
25...g6! was better, denying White of the
21.c3 de8 22.f3 White invites the idea e4 to attack the pawn on f4. White
exchange of bishops when the knight on f3 now has problems finding a way forward.
would safely defend the pawn on e5.
26.xh5! The move 26.g4 was a good
22.c2 was an alternative, keeping alternative.
the bishop on the more active diagonal
and introducing a4 ideas. 22...g5 26...xh5 27.e4 h6 28.f3 The pawn
23.a4 c6 (23...f8 24.g4!? fxg3 on f4 is under attack now.
25.fxg3 is quite sharp) 24.dxc6 g6
25.e4 xc6 26.f6+ gxf6 27.xc6 28...d4?
f8 28.exf6 e6 29.xe6 fxe6 30.f3
is again somewhat better for White,
XIIIIIIIIY
thanks to his safer king. 9-+-+r+k+0
9zp-zp-tr-zpp0
22...b7 23.e2 White doesn’t want to
take on h5 and waits for Black to take on f3. 9-zp-+Pzp-wq0
9+-zpP+-+-0
23...f6 Black could have taken on f3 and
implemented the same idea from the game
9-+PsnRzp-+0
after 23...xf3 24.xf3 f6 25.e6 d6 with 9+-+-+Q+P0
similar play. 9P+-sN-zPP+0
24.e6 d6 Black also had the option to keep 9+-+-tR-mK-0
the bishops on the board with 24...g6. xiiiiiiiiy
May 2023
The losing mistake. 40...g7 41.f1 h6 42.d1 Threatening

d8.
28...g5 was the only move to stay in the
game. After 29.g4 d6 30.4e2 f8 it’s 42...f5 43.e5+ f7 44.xf5+ f6
not easy for White to make progress. 44...xe7 45.e1+ wins the queen.
29.xd4! Just like in the second game, the 45.h7+ e6 46.g7 Threatening e1.
exchange sacrifice is a "matter of chess
culture." It’s not clear what Nepomniachtchi 46...g6 47.f8
missed.
1-0
29...cxd4 30.b3 The knight is coming
with vengeance.
A convincing victory for Ding, in spite
30...g5 31.xd4 g6 32.g4! Once planted of it being a result of Nepomniachtchi’s
on f5 the knight will be the decisive piece. inexplicable blunder, allowing the exchange
Black’s rooks are completely useless in this sacrifice.
position.
This game set the tone for the next games
32...fxg3 33.fxg3 h5 34.f5 h7 35.e4 - it turned out that both players were quite
h8 36.e7 White simply pushes everything vulnerable with the black pieces, both in
forward and crashes through. the opening and later on when defending
inferior positions.
36...f7 37.d6 cxd6 38.xd6 g8
38...xe7 39.xe8 wins a piece.
39.xe8 xe8 40.e6 The pawn on e7

makes the win trivial.

05/143
Game 5: h7 is also good for Black.) 15.f5

d8 16.f4 with strong attack for White
NEPO’S QUICK COMEBACK in the game Firouzja,A (2778)−Giri,A
(2760) Miami FTX Crypto Cup rapid
Nepomniachtchi – Ding, 1-0 2022 (3.7) 1-0.
15.04.2023
12...h6 Natural, but somewhat playing into
1.e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.b5 a6 4.a4 f6 White’s hands as he wanted to take on f6
5.0-0 e7 6.d3 It was clear that the move anyway.
6.xc6 from the first game was a one−off
attempt. Now Nepomniachtchi uses his 12...d7 is an idea to exchange the
main weapon for the match. passive dark−squared bishop. After
13.xe7 xe7 14.axb5 axb5 15.a3
6...b5 7.b3 d6 8.c3 In Game 11 we will b4 16.cxb4 cxb4 17.c4 c6 18.e3
see the move 8.a3, which Nepomniachtchi White is more comfortable, threatening
had already used against Ding in the past. d5 or f5;
8.a3 0-0 (8...a5 postponing castling will 12...d5!? is a sharp attempt that appears
be Ding’s choice in Game 11.) 9.c3 a5 to work. After 13.xe5 dxe4 14.dxe4 c4
10.a2 e6 11.b4 xa2 12.xa2 c6 Black obtains compensation in Marshall−
13.g5 was played twice between the style, for example, 15.xd8 fxd8
same players. In 2020 at the Ekaterinburg 16.d2 h6 and Black will either regain
Candidates Nepomniachtchi won, while the the pawn or after 17.xf6 xf6 18.ef3
game at the 2022 Airthings Masters ended c6 he can rely on his activity and bishop
in a draw. pair for satisfactory play;
8...0-0 9.h3 b7 The revelation of this 12...c4!? is another promising idea for
move−order for White is that in the case of Black. 13.axb5 axb5 14.a3 b6 15.e1
9...a5 10.c2 c5 11.d4 White enters the fc8 leads to an unclear position.
Chigorin Variation a tempo down (without
e1) and still manages to obtain some 13.xf6 xf6 14.axb5 axb5 15.bd2
advantage! c6 16.d5 White occupies the weakened
d5-square.
10.a4 In Game 13 Nepomniachtchi will
vary with 10.e3. Neither move is very 16...xa1 Black plays naturally, a good
common, with 10.c2, 10.bd2 and alternative was to connect the rooks with
10.e1 being the most popular one. 16...d7.
10...a5 11.a2 c5 12.g5 Improving 17.xa1 d7 The queen could also have
on yet another Giri game. White’s play gone to b6.
is very simple, he plays on the light
squares and his last move is aimed at 18.e1 a8 Activating the rook with
eliminating the knight on f6, which tempo, though decent alternatives were
controls the d5-square. 18...g6 or 18...e7.
12.a3 d7 (12...h6!? may be what 19.d1 The critical position. Black has
Nepomniachtchi wanted to avoid, as after many options, but what he needs to decide
13.axb5 axb5 14.xb5 c4! Black obtains is how to deal with White’s control of the
good compensation.) 13.g5 bxa4 light squares.
14.h4 ab8?! (14...d5!? equalises
for Black; 14...h6 15.xf6 xf6 16.f5 19...d8?!

May 2023
XIIIIIIIIY 19...d8 the typical idea to transfer the

knight to e6 works well here. 20.f1 e6
9r+-vl-+k+0 21.e3 f4 an active knight that also
9+l+q+pzp-0 controls the d5-square. 22.xb7 xb7 and
Black is fine.
9-+nzp-+-zp0
9+pzpLzp-+-0 20.f1 e7 21.xb7 xb7 22.e3
9-+-+P+-+0 b6 23.h4! White starts activity on the
kingside, taking advantage that Black
9+-zPP+N+P0 removed almost all his pieces from that part
9-zP-sN-zPP+0 of the board.
9+-+QtR-mK-0 Nepomniachtchi considered 23.c4 to prevent
xiiiiiiiiy ...c4, but after 23...a5 Black is fine.
Ding comes up with an elaborate idea,
which unfortunately brings more trouble 23...c6 Black continues with the plan to
than benefit. He wants to activate his dark− push ...c4.
squared bishop by putting it on b6 and
opening the g1-a7 diagonal by pushing 23...a2 was better, immediately starting
...c4. This all sounds nice, but here it was a queenside play. After 24.b3 a6 Black
situation when simpler solutions were also threatens ...a4 and in the endgame he
the better ones! would be safe.
19...e7 was probably the simplest. After 24.h5 c4 Black achieved his idea, but he
20.xb7 xb7 21.f1 g6 22.e3 a7 still has problems to solve.
Black controls the a−file and the sensitive
light squares d5 and f5. His dark squared is 25.d4 exd4 25...xe4? is bad, after
a bit passive, but White cannot really take 26.xc4 c6 27.xb6 xb6 28.dxe5
advantage of that; dxe5 29.xe5 Black has lost a pawn;
19...a6 or 19...a7 with the same idea 25...d8!? prepares a possible ...d5. 26.h4
− Black evacuates the long diagonal and exd4 27.ef5 xf5 28.xf5 with the idea
plans ...c8 and ...e7, to evict the of g4. 28...e8! is the only defence for
white bishop from d5 without allowing Black, intending ...e5. 29.cxd4 e6 and
the exchange of his good, light−squared Black has enough play for equality.
bishop. 20.f1 (20.b3 d8 is another
idea for Black − a knight transfer to e6. 26.xd4 c5? Still in line with his
21.xb7 xb7 22.f1 e6 23.e3 c7 intended idea to create activity along the
controlling the d5-square. 24.f5 h5 and g1-a7 diagonal as now Black threatens
with ...g6 next Black is fine.) 20...c8 ...b4, but this is a tactical mistake.
21.e3 e7 22.d4 (22.b3 g6 23.d5
d8 with unclear play − Black keeps 26...b7 was better. After 27.df5
the bishops and White suffers from a xe3 28.xe3 xe4 29.xd6 c6=
superfluous piece − both the knight and Black manages to consolidate, though he
the bishop want to be on d5!) 22...exd4 still needs to be precise after 30.f3 e6
23.cxd4 xd5 24.xd5 d8 with a solid 31.xe6 fxe6 32.g4 f7 33.e5+ xe5
position for Black; 34.xe5 and now 34...b4! will make a draw
in the rook endgame;
19...g6 20.f1 h5 21.e3 g7 22.h2
gives White ideas like g1 and g4, which 26...xd4 27.xd4 a2 was another
can develop into a dangerous attack; option. 28.b1! (28.e2 b4! is good for

05/143
Black in view of 29.cxb4? c3!; 28.e5 d5 29.f4 30.xe3 a1+ 31.e1 (31.h2 f1! is
e6 allows Black to establish blockade on unpleasant to meet.) 31...xe1+ 32.xe1
the light squares on the kingside.) 28...h7 e5 with an equal endgame, for example
29.f3 c7 is quite solid for Black. 33.e8+ h7 34.xf7 xe4.
27.g4? Natural, but letting his advantage slip. 29.f5 xf5?! "After this, it’s very
difficult." − Ding. But in fact his mistake
27.f3! threatening e5. 27...e8 comes on the next move.
(27...e5? 28.g4! with e5 next; 27...g5
28.e5 d8 29.e6 f8 30.a1! and White 29...f6! was preferred by Ding after the
wins. 30...xd4 31.exf7+) 28.g4! was game, He was right, as after 30.xe7+
more precise, as the threat of d7 is very xe7 31.h4 f6 32.f5 a2 and Black
strong after having lured the rook to e8, but is alright.
this was probably too subtle.
30.exf5
27...e5! Now Black should be fine. XIIIIIIIIY
28.f3 28.df5 xf5 29.xf5 h7 30.g3 9r+-+-+k+0
a2 gives Black counterplay by attacking 9+-+-+pzp-0
the pawn on b2;
9-vl-zpq+-zp0
28.d7 now this isn’t as strong as there 9+p+-+P+P0
is no attack on the rook on e8. 28...xd4 9-+p+-+Q+0
29.cxd4 xe4 30.xb5 xd4 31.xc4
d5 leads to an equal endgame. 9+-zP-+N+-0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
28...e6 28...f6 was possible, but Ding
likely wanted to avoid 29.d7 though 9+-+-tR-mK-0
Black can deal with it with 29...xe3 xiiiiiiiiy
May 2023
30...f6? This is the real mistake. 35th move.) 36...gxf6 (36...xg4 this is
not a check, so here we see the idea behind
30...d7! still allowed Black to keep the 35.$f1. 37.e7 wins for White.) 37.e4
balance. 31.f4 (31.e4 d5! is the whole White is dominating, but there is no forced
difference − the queen from d7 defends the win. 37...g8 38.h4 b7 39.f5 xe4
d5-pawn, something that wasn’t possible in 40.xe4 d5 41.e2 h7 with ...b4 and
the game with the queen on f6.) 31...d8 Black even gets some counterplay.
prevents f6. (31...d8 controlling the f6-
square and with the idea of ...d5. 32.d1 36.e4 b8 37.g5! Crashing through.
d5 33.e5 c7 is equal, as the pawn on d5
is taboo in view of the back rank problems: 37...hxg5? Again not the most resilient.
34.xd5?? xd5 35.xd5 a1+ mates;
31...d5 32.f6! is a bit unpleasant.) 32.e4 37...d7 was the only move. After 38.gxh6
d5 33.e8+ xe8 34.xe8+ h7 White gxh6 39.d4 b7 40.c6 e8 41.xe8+
cannot get anything from the pin on the xe8 42.e4+ f8 43.f6 d7 44.f3!
eighth rank. 35.e5 a1+ 36.h2 c7 preventing ...h3 and intending e7-
37.f4 xe5 38.fxe5 f1 with a sharp, but d5(f5) White is very close to winning, but
objectively drawn rook endgame. not quite there yet after 44...d5 45.e5
e6.
31.e4! Now there is no ...d5 and Black is
left without counterplay. 38.g4
31...b8 32.e2! A very good prophylactic

XIIIIIIIIY
move, defending the pawn on b2. 9-tr-wq-mk-+0
9+-+-+pzp-0
The immediate 32.g4?! is met by 32...b4!
33.cxb4 xb2 and here we see the strength 9-+-zp-+-+0
of White’s 32.e2 in the game. 9+pvlQ+PzpP0
32...c5 Black still aims for ...b4.
9-+p+-+R+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
33.g4 This was missed by Ding. White 9-zP-+-zP-+0
simply advances on the kingside.
9+-+-+K+-0
33...d8 34.d5 Preventing ...d5. xiiiiiiiiy
Now White wins.
34...f8 35.f1 The king could have gone
to g2 or h2, too. 38...a8 38...e7 it’s too late for this
idea now. 39.xg5 b7 40.xb7 xb7
For example: 35.g2 c8 36.h4 b7 41.f6! gxf6 42.h7+ e7 43.e4+ d8
37.xb7 xb7 38.f6 gxf6 39.f5 with a 44.xf6 and the h−pawn decides;
prospectless endgame for Black, though
White is by no means winning. 38...f6 39.h4! possibly this was missed
by Ding. 39...gxh4 40.h6 and the h−pawn
35...c8? Black just wastes two moves now. decides.
35...c8 was the only way, with the idea 39.xg5 a1+ 40.e2 Going to g2 was
of ...b7. It doesn’t look bright, but Black also possible.
had to play like this. 36.f6 (36.h4 b7
37.xb7 xb7 38.f6 gxf6 39.f5 is the 40...e7+ 41.e4 Much simpler than
same endgame from the note to White’s 41.f3 xf2! which also wins for White,

05/143
but it invites unnecessary complications. of surprise would compensate for the

41...e8 41...f6 42.h6 is the simplest. blandness of the opening.
42.f3 a8 Black finally exchanges 3...c5 4.e3 c6 5.bd2 cxd4 Black has a
queens, but White made decisive progress wide choice of options against the London.
by now. Here we see Nepomniachtchi choose the
simplest one, avoiding complications and
43.xa8+ xa8 44.f6 g6 44...gxf6 going for the reversed Carlsbad structure.
45.xf6 e7 46.g8+ with h6-h7-h8.
6.exd4 f5 7.c3 e6 8.b5 A rare choice,
45.hxg6 fxg6 46.xg6 a2 A nice last− compared to the more popular 8.b3 and
ditch attempt at counterplay. 8.e2, but it has been played several times
by one of the most consistent London
47.g4! 47.g5? shows Black’s resources: players, Gata Kamsky.
47...xb2 48.h7+ e8 49.g8+ d7
50.g7+ (50.f7? xf2+ even wins for 8...d6 The bishop on f4 is an active piece,
Black as the f7-pawn drops.) 50...c6 so Black generally tries to exchange it.
51.f7 xf2+ 52.g3 b4! and Black draws
after 53.cxb4 c3! 54.bxc5 f1! 55.cxd6 c2 9.xd6 xd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.e1 h6 The
56.f8 xf8 57.xf8 xd6! and Black first instructive moment in the game. Black is
will promote on the next move. perfectly solid and has no problems. However,
here we see him play a vague, superficial
47...xb2 48.h6 move. It doesn’t spoil anything, as the margin
of safety is very big for Black, but it is the
1-0 first sign that perhaps Nepomniachtchi didn’t
feel entirely at home in this position.
A good game and a dominating win 11...a6 invites 12.xc6 xc6 (or 12...bxc6?!
for Nepomniachtchi. Coming back so 13.b4 when Black has weaknesses on the dark
quickly after a loss was not something squares on the queenside.) 13.e5 c7 14.g4
Nepomniachtchi was known for. In the match g6 15.e3 with the play on the kingside;
against Carlsen, he quickly fell apart after
the first loss. This was a positive sign for him 11...c7 avoids e5 as now Black can
and it appeared that he retook the initiative simply take that knight. 12.e2 keeps
in the match. However, the next game was a White’s options open and passes the ball
mirrored image of the previous one. back to Black. For example, if Black plays
...a6 White will take on c6 and play e5;
Game 6:
THE MOMENT if Black moves the knight from c6 then
e5 comes. If a rook moves, then e5 or
DING TOOK THE INITIATIVE h4 can be considered. 12...a6; 11...d7 is
another attempt to stop e5. 12.h4 g6
Ding – Nepomniachtchi, 1-0 13.xg6 hxg6 14.f3 a6 15.f1 b5 16.h4
16.04.2023 gives White chances to create an attack on
the kingside thanks to the hook on g6.
1.d4 f6 2.f3 d5 3.f4 A major
surprise, but consistent with Ding’s 12.e5 Now the knight cannot be taken
match strategy. The London System has given the fork after dxe5.
never been considered serious enough
for a World Championship match, but 12...e7 13.a4 Useful move for White in this
Ding obviously thought that the element reversed Carlsbad structure. It stops a potential

May 2023
minority attack after ...b5 and it also creates Now White has the c5 and b6 squares at
possibilities for future play on the queenside his disposal. The c5-square can be used
for White by advancing the a−pawn further. by a knight (b3-c5) while the b6-square
can be used by the rook (a3-b3-b6).
13...a6 This is committal as it weakens
Black’s queenside. It’s another questionable 16...c7 Targeting the pawns on a5 and c3,
move for Black and the accumulation of thus preventing a possible b4 followed by
these slowly lead him to a difficult position. b3-c5.
13...b6 threatening ...a6 and then when 17.f3! A good move, renewing the threat
the bishop moves the b2-pawn would hang. of b4 and b3-c5.
14.a2 fc8 15.e2 keeps the position
complicated, but it is Black who has more The immediate 17.b3 would be met by
difficulty finding constructive ideas. 17...c6 when White’s knight and rook on
a1 are tied to the defence of the pawn on
14.f1 Now the threat is to fix the a5, so White cannot execute the transfer of
weaknesses on the dark squares with a5. the knight to c5.
14...d7 This exchanges the centralised knight, 17...fc8 Further increasing the pressure
but allows fixing of his queenside pawns. on the pawn on c3 and stopping b4.
14...a5 is possible, when White has the 17...c8 was an alternative. The knight is
instructive maneuver 15.b1! with the idea well placed on d6. Still, after 18.b3 d6
a3-b5, while after 15...xb1 16.xb1 19.c5 The knight on c5 is better than
White has some edge as the light−squared the one on d6. Black is passive, but quite
bishop from d3 can be used for play both solid and needs a lot of patience to play
on the queenside and the kingside; this position.
14...b6 15.a5! forces further weakening of 18.a3 White defends the pawn on c3
the dark squares; and introduces b3 ideas. Another idea
at his disposal is ea1,b3-c5 in case
14...b6 15.b3 xb3 16.xb3 is a Black plays ...c6 to attack the pawn on
comfortable endgame for White who can a5. An alternative with the same ideas
continue his play on both wings − planning was 18.ec1, intending b4, b3-c5.
a5 and c5 on the queenside and f3, g4, h4
on the kingside. 18...g6?! Another vague waiting move
by Nepomniachtchi.
15.xd7 xd7 16.a5!
XIIIIIIIIY 18...c2!? was more subtle. It stops
9r+-+-trk+0 b3 and after 19.c1 g6 20.b3 now
9+p+qsnpzp-0 the rook on c1 is worse than on e1. For
example after 20...c6 Black threatens
9p+-+p+-zp0 ...e5 and White would have liked his
9zP-+p+l+-0 rook on e1 in this case.
9-+-zP-+-+0 19.b3 White continues with his plan to
9+-zP-+-+-0 plant a knight on c5.
9-zP-sN-zPPzP0
19...c6 By attacking the pawn on
9tR-+QtRLmK-0 a5 Black stops c5, at least for the
xiiiiiiiiy time being.

05/143
20.g3! White is consistent. He wants to 23.b4 was a good alternative, though after
exchange queens so that he can proceed 23...e4 24.f3! is the only way for White to
with his plan of c5. exploit Black’s expansion. It turns out that
after a2-e2 Black will lose the e4-pawn.
20...e7 20...xg3 leads to a depressing
endgame for Black. 21.hxg3 c7 22.c5 23...xa5 23...ab8 24.b6 is a
f5 (22...f8? Black cannot centralise the picturesque demonstration of White using
king just yet as 23.xe6! wins for White.) Black’s dark−square weaknesses.
23.f4 when White has the option to advance
on both sides of the board. 24.xe5 f6 25.a3 c4 The alternatives
weren’t better.
21.h4!
XIIIIIIIIY 25...c6 26.d7 d8 27.xe8+ xe8
28.c7! is an important move that is the
9r+r+-+k+0
9 + + + +0 beginning of the wrecking of Black’s
9+p+-w
9+ + wqpzzp-0
0 queenside;
9p+n+p+lz
9 + + + zp0 25...b6 26.d7 c6 27.xe8+ xe8
9zP-+p+-+-0
+ + + 0 28.e5 and the dominating knight on e5
9-+-z
9 + zP-+-z
+ zP0 gives White a decisive advantage − the
queen is attacked and the threats are xg6
9tRNzzP-+-w
+ wQ-00 and xa6.
9-zzP-+-z
9 + zPP+0
+0
26.xc4 dxc4 27.h5? An imprecision
9+-+-tRLmK-0
9 0 on White’s part, allowing Black a saving
xiiiiiiiiy chance.
A very deep move! White is preparing c5
and stopping ...g5 at the same time. 27.xb7 was better. After 27...xe5
28.dxe5 b6 29.d6 xb2 30.a5!
The immediate 21.c5 is met by 21...xa5! is the important move, threatening e6.
22.xa5 b6. 30...d3 31.h2! is another crucial
move, avoiding back−rank checks before
21...e8 22.c5 e5?! Nepomniachtchi following through with the attack. Another
loses his patience and seeks activity, but point of the move is that 31...xc3 can be
this only backfires. met by 32.f5! with a decisive attack after
32...g6 33.d5 and e6 and d7 will finish
22...ac8 23.b4 ed8 would have required the game.
a lot of masochism to play;
27...c2? Quickly played and missing the
After 22...xa5? we can see the depth best chance.
of Ding’s prophylactic move 21.h4:
23.xa5 b6 24.h5! this is the point! 27...xe5! was the start of amazing saving
24...xh5 25.xe6! fxe6 26.xd5 resource for Black. 28.dxe5 d8! 29.f3
and the bishop on h5 is hanging. 26... (the idea is that 29.hxg6 d1+ 30.h2
exd5 (26...f7 27.de5 is positionally h5+ leads to a perpetual check or in view
hopeless for Black.) 27.xe7 xe7 of h3 ...xe5, picking up the knight on
28.h4 another point of h4 − the double c5, just like after 29.f3 d2!) 29...d2!
attack on the rook on e7 and the lured The most difficult move in the whole
bishop on h5 wins material. variation. 30.hxg6 e1+ 31.h2 xe5+
32.g3 xc5 33.xf7+ h8 34.a4 c8
23.b3! Ding prefers piece play. 35.g1 White still keeps some advantage

May 2023
here thanks to his better king, but Black has 33...f6 34.g3 a5 35.xc4! This doesn’t
fair drawing chances here; only pick up a pawn, but also intends e3
in order to stop Black’s defensive idea
27...d3 was also a better try than the ...g5 after White plays c7.
game move, though after 28.b4! White
keeps a big advantage. 35.c7?! allows 35...g5 and this is
unnecessarily complicating things after
28.xb7 b6 29.d6 The knight is very 36.xg5 hxg5 37.xc4 b3 38.a3
powerful. when White is a pawn up, but the a−pawn is
giving him headaches.
29...xe5 30.xe5 Taking with the pawn
was also possible, but this move creates the 35...a4 36.e3 b1 Moving the bishop
threat of e8. from the attacked square.
30...xb2 31.a5 h7 31...xc3? loses 37.c7 g8 38.d5 Threatening xf6.
to 32.e8! f6 33.xf6+! gxf6 34.d5+
g7 35.b7+ and White picks up the rook 38...h8 39.a7 Rook behind a passed pawn
on a8 with check. and also planning c7. The final attack is
conducted by Ding in a very creative fashion.
32.c5? Understandably, White wanted
to include all pieces in the attack, but this 39...a3 40.e7 f8 41.d5 The final
allows Black another chance. preparation. The importance of controlling
the e6-square will be seen later.
32.e1! was the winning idea. White simply
defends the pawn on c3 and threatens xc4 41...a2
or xf7. 32...d3 33.xc4! is important XIIIIIIIIY
as 33...xc4 34.e4+ picks up the rook
on a8. 9-+-+-tr-mk0
9tR-+-sN-zp-0
32...c1+? Again a quick decision by
Nepomniachtchi costs him the game. 9-+-+-zp-zp0
Admittedly, in the saving line he had to 9+-+P+-+P0
find several difficult only moves, but if 9-+-+-+-+0
you don’t show your best and find these
resources in a World Championship match, 9+-zP-+-wQ-0
then where else? 9p+-+-zPPmK0
32...xc3 was the only move to stay in the 9+lwq-+-+-0
game. 33.xf7 (33.c7 d2! is another xiiiiiiiiy
only move for Black. 34.xf7 c1+ 42.c7! Threatening g6 and xg7#.
35.h2 g5 and the passed a−pawn gives
Black enough counterplay.) 33...d3 the 42...h7 43.g6 g8 44.f7
only move, defending the pawn on c4 and Nepomniachtchi resigned, not allowing the
allowing for the check from c1. 34.c7 pretty mating combination.
c1+ 35.h2 e8 again strictly the only
move to save the game! 36.g3 (36.xe8 44.f7 xc3 45.xg8+! xg8 46.a8+
f4+ is a perpetual check.) 36...e1 and f7 47.f8# and the king cannot escape
Black has enough activity for a draw. via e6 − this was the idea behind 41.d5.
33.h2 Now Ding wraps up the game 1-0

convincingly.

05/143
Equally dominating victory for Ding, Nepomniachtchi,I (2632)−Ding,L (2530)

immediately striking back and levelling the CHN−RUS Summit Men 6th 2009 (2)
score. Surely a shock for Nepomniachtchi ½-½) 6...h6 7.xf6+ xf6 8.e3 d5
and a moment when Ding takes over the Nepomniachtchi,I (2632)−Ding,L (2530)
initiative in the match. However… CHN−RUS Summit Men 6th Rapid 2009
(7) 1-0.
Game 7:
3...c5 The best response to the Tarrasch
A PAINFUL LOSS FOR DING Variation.
Nepomniachtchi – Ding, 1-0
4.gf3 cxd4 5.xd4 f6 The alternative
18.04.2023 5...c6 is more popular, but it leads to a
different type of positions after xc6 bxc6,
1.e4 e6 A major surprise. Ding’s main which resemble the Sicilian (like after 1.e4
opening in the match, the Marshall, suffered c5 2.f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.xd4 c6 6.c3
serious problems in the previous games (the a6 7.xc6 bxc6 8.d3 d5).
first and the fifth) so he decides to surprise
Nepomniachtchi and use an opening he 6.exd5 Advancing would have led to more
hasn’t really played seriously. In this way, closed positions. Nepomniachtchi keeps the
he gave his team time to repair the damage position simpler.
to the main defence. Ding has in fact played
the French against Nepomniachtchi in the 6...xd5 The alternative is to take with the
past, but these games were a long time ago. queen.
He said he was inspired to use the French
after discussing this idea with his second 7.2f3 e7 Nepomniachtchi had faced
Richard Rapport. the check on b4 in his previous games with
Grischuk.
2.d4 2.c3 d5 3.f3 was used twice by
Nepomniachtchi in one rapid and one blitz 7...b4+ 8.d2 (8.c3? is bad in view of
game against Ding. 3...f6 4.e5 fd7 5.d4 8...xc3 9.bxc3 xc3+ 10.d2 xd4
c5 6.dxc5 c6 7.f4 xc5 8.h4 a6 (8...e7 and Black is two pawns up.) 8...c5 9.c3
9.h5 Nepomniachtchi,I (2718)−Ding,L 0-0 10.c4 b6 (10...c6 11.xc6 bxc6
(2680) RUS−CHN Summit 8th Rapid Nepomniachtchi,I (2782)−Grischuk,A
2012 (5) 1-0) 9.a3 b5Nepomniachtchi,I (2764) Wch Rapid Warsaw 2021 (10)
(2632)−Ding,L (2530) CHN−RUS Summit 1-0) 11.0-0 (11.c2 xd4 12.xd4 b7
Men 6th Blitz 2009 (2) 1-0. Nepomniachtchi,I (2773)−Grischuk,A (2742)
Chess.com Rapid Wk9 Swiss 2022 (8) 0-1)
2...d5 3.d2 Nepomniachtchi was 11...b7 12.e2 f6Nepomniachtchi,I
surprised, but in a World Championship (2773)−Grischuk,A (2742) Chess.com
match you actually have ideas and are Rapid Wk12 Swiss 2022 (4) 1-0.
prepared against literally everything the
opponent may play, so his plan in case of a 8.c4 White can develop the bishop on
French was to play his usual lines. other squares, too. For example, 8.d3 and
8.g3 are valid alternatives.
3.c3 was his choice in his three other
previous encounters with Ding. 3...dxe4 8...c6 9.xc6 bxc6 10.0-0 0-0 11.e2
(3...f6 4.e5 fd7 5.f4 c5 6.f3 c6 b7 Both sides have almost finished
7.e3 a6 8.d2 b5 Nepomniachtchi,I development and Black can be satisfied
(2718)−Ding,L (2680) RUS−CHN Summit with the results of the opening. The
8th 2012 (5) ½-½) 4.xe4 d7 5.f3 weakness on c6 cannot be exploited and
gf6 6.g5 (6.xf6+ xf6 7.e3 d5 that pawn can be useful once it comes to

May 2023
c5 − from there, it controls the important g8 with a perpetual check (or 19...e8
d4-square and opens the long diagonal for with a mess after 20.b5+ d7 21.h8+
the light−squared bishop on b7. f8 22.e5 e7 23.xd7 xd7 24.h4+
e8 25.xd7+ xd7 26.ad1 c6 and a
12.d3 The bishop is rather useless on c4, very unclear position.)
so White puts it on d3 from where it looks
towards Black’s kingside. 15...b6 Targeting the pawn on b2.
12...c7 13.e4 f6 A critical moment. 16.e5 White plays natural moves that pile
With this move, Ding provokes White to up the pressure on the kingside.
attack his king and relies on the solidity of
his position to repulse it and get his chances 16...ad8!
on the counter−attack. It’s interesting XIIIIIIIIY
to observe how this strategy worked
excellently, but it cost Ding a lot of time on 9-+-tr-trk+0
the clock and eventually, this became the 9zpl+-vlpzpp0
decisive factor.
9-wq-+psn-+0
13...g6 was safer, not allowing h4. After 9+-zp-sN-+-0
14.h6 fd8 Black’s kingside is safe as 9-+-+-vL-wQ0
the lone bishop on h6 can do very little
while Black continues with ...c5, ...f6 etc. 9+-+L+-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
14.h4 c5 15.f4 White develops with
tempo. 9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.g5 was an alternative that could have An important move for Black. White’s
led to a draw after 15...h6 16.xh6 gxh6 main attacking piece is the light−squared
17.xh6 fd8 18.g5+ f8 19.h6+ bishop, so Black must ensure that in case

05/143
of emergency, he will have the option of 19...xd3! again the important defensive
...xd3, eliminating the dangerous piece. resource. (19...gxh6 20.xh6 e4 leads to
a perpetual after 21.xe4 xe4 22.g6
16...g6?! would be bad as after 17.g5 fxg6 23.xg6+ h8 24.h6+) 20.cxd3
d8 18.f4 White has a strong attack. gxh6 21.xh6 b4! with the idea of
...g4 and Black defends;
17.ae1 Another critical position where
White had a wide choice, but nothing 17.fe1 d4 18.g4 looks dangerous,
decisive. The lines below and the others in but Black has more than one way to
the game show the immense complexity of deal with White’s threats. 18...h8!
the position and the number of lines both (18...xd3 works again. 19.cxd3 d5
players had to calculate. The position is 20.g3 h5 with similar play as the line
very deceptive as it appears that White’s examined above after 17.g4; 18...fd8
attack is about to crash through, but Black 19.xf6+ xf6 20.xh7+ f8 is also
manages to hold everywhere. To understand acceptable for Black, there is no attack
this the players had to spend a lot of time anymore and his active pieces are a good
and in this aspect, Nepomniachtchi was compensation for the pawn.) 19.h3
more practical than his opponent. h6 (19...a6 exchanging the important
bishop is another idea for Black. 20.e5
17.xh7+?! doesn’t work as after xd3 21.xd4 f5 22.xf6 xf6 the
17...xh7 18.xe7 f6 19.fd1 d5 powerful bishops compensate for the lost
20.h4 xb2 Black is better as there is no exchange.) 20.xh6 this only leads to a
attack and Black’s pieces are better placed, perpetual. 20...xg4 21.xg7+ xg7
especially the queen on b2 is harassing 22.h7+ f6 23.h4+ g7 24.h7+
White’s queenside; with a draw.
17.g4!? was interesting. 17...xd3! here 17...g6 17...a6 was an alternative. After
comes the crucial tactic for Black − the 18.c4 xd3! (or 18...d4 19.e3 fd8
important bishop is eliminated. (17...h5 20.g3 g6 21.h3 b7 with a very
was Ding’s intention and it’s a possible unclear position.) 19.xd3 d5 Black has
alternative. 18.xf6+ xf6 19.xh5 good compensation.
g6 20.g4 d4 gives Black sufficient
compensation for the pawn in view of the 18.g5 18.e3? runs into 18...d5.
activity of his pieces.) 18.cxd3 d5 gives
Black excellent compensation for the 18...d4 19.h3 c7! Defending the
exchange. 19.g3 (19.g5? loses to 19...f6 bishop on e7 and allowing for ...d5 or
20.d2 f5 and Black wins a piece.) 19...h5! ...h5.
worsening the position of White’s pieces.
20.e3 h4 21.xd5 xd5 22.e3 b7 The immediate 19...d5 was possible, as
23.f3 h3 and the weakened white king in 20.d7 is met by 20...f4! 21.xf4 xd7
addition to Black’s domination on the light with equality.
squares give Black long−term compensation;
20.b3 With this move White stops ...c4.
17.g5 d4 18.h3 and here Black
has a choice. 18...h6 (18...g6 is safe, not 20...h5 Going to the centre on d5 was an
allowing any sacrifices; 18...fd8 is alternative.
unclear, provoking White into 19.xf6?!
xf6 20.xh7+ f8 when the attack 20...d5.
is gone and Black’s bishops become
the important factor in the position.) 21.f4 21.h6 fd8 is fine for Black, who
19.xh6?! tempting, but not very good. also has the ...h4 idea at his disposal. This

May 2023
could have led to a spectacular perpetual said for keeping the light−squared bishops
after 22.c4 h4 23.xe6!! fxe6 on the board.
24.xe6+ h8 25.f7+ g8 26.xd8+
h8 27.f7+ g8 with a draw. 27.hxe4 d5 Black’s position is safe and
he starts to think to push forward. Another
21...d6! This move was praised by idea was 27...f4 with ...e5 to cement the
Nepomniachtchi. It prepares the exchange− bishop on f4, but Ding may have been
sacrifice after ...xf4. Black had other worried about g3 ideas for White.
moves that were also satisfactory, like
21...f6 and 21...g7. 28.h4?! White still dreams of threats
against Black’s king, but this only sidelines
21...xg5!? looked dangerous, but Black the rook.
successfully navigates the dangers after a
series of only moves: 22.fxg5 f4 23.h6 28.f1 d2 (28...g7? 29.xe6! wins
c4! 24.g4 f5! 25.f6+ xf6 26.gxf6 for White.) 29.h1 xa2 30.f3 would
cxd3 27.f7+ xf7 28.xf4 xf4 29.xf4 have kept White’s pieces centralised
dxc2 when thank to the pawn on c2 that can at the expense of a pawn. The position
be defended by ...e4 Black has slightly is objectively equal and dynamically
better chances. balanced.
22.c3 xf4! 28...d6! Already creating threats like

XIIIIIIIIY ...d1 when White’s king comes under
attack.
9-+-+-trk+0
9zplwq-+p+p0 29.e3 The queen must aid the defence.
9-+-vlp+p+0 29.xh7? d1 wins for Black.
9+-zp-sN-vL-0
9-+-tr-sn-+0 29...h5 30.g3 f6 31.c4 h4!
9+PzPL+-+Q0 XIIIIIIIIY
9P+-+-+PzP0 9-+-+-+k+0
9+-+-tRRmK-0 9zp-+-+p+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-wqpvlp+0
Black finally eliminates all danger on the 9+-zpr+-+-0
kingside and takes over the initiative. 9-+R+-+-zp0
23.xf4 23.xf4!? xe5 24.xg6 is 9+PzP-wQ-zP-0
the only move for White. After 24...hxg6 9P+-+-+-zP0
25.cxd4 cxd4 Black has very good play
thanks to the passed d4-pawn and the 9+-+-tR-mK-0
powerful bishops. xiiiiiiiiy
A move that shows Ding’s character. Just
23...xf4 24.xf4 xe5 Black successfully like in several other moments in the match
defended and is now slightly better. He has (the capture on f6 in Game 2, the move
easy play as the bishops are dominating the 20...d7 in Game 3, and the fantastic
board and now his king is the safer one. 46...g6 in the last game of the rapid)
he shows a willingness to fight in spite
25.h4 d8 26.e4 xe4 A possible of having an easy way out. Here that was
decision, though there was something to be especially important because he was in

05/143
severe time−trouble, but instead of playing 35.g2 d3 36.f2 g7 37.cf4 xc3
safe moves like 31...g7 or 31...g5, he Here Black lost on time, but the position is
believed in himself and pushed forward. lost anyway.
Both in Game 2 and here he was punished,
but he was ultimately rewarded with the 37...xc3 38.xc3 xc3 39.xf7+ h6
most coveted prize. Caissa loves brave 40.e7 is an elementary win.
warriors!
1-0
32.gxh4 d2? Ding spent almost five
minutes on this move but then admitted that
he missed his opponent’s next move. A painful loss for Ding. He played an
excellent game, outplayed his opponent,
32...e5 was correct. Black is better after and pushed for more, only to blunder in
33.e2 (33.e2? loses to 33...xh2+! time trouble and lose. Nepomniachtchi
34.xh2 d1+ 35.g2 d2+ winning went ahead again and the question was
the rook on h2.) 33...f4 with the threat whether Ding can mount a come−back for
of ...d2. a third time.
33.e2 And now, in a state of shock, Ding Game 8:

immediately played the losing.
A MISSED CHANCE FOR WHITE
33...d3?? Ding – Nepomniachtchi, ½ - ½
XIIIIIIIIY 20.04.2023
9-+-+-+k+0
9zp-+-+p+-0 1.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 Ding finally goes
for mainstream theory, but again has a
9-+-wqpvlp+0 prepared surprise in store.
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+R+-+-zP0 3...b4 4.e3 0-0 5.a3 The first surprise.
White transposes to the Saemisch Variation
9+PzPrwQ-+-0 after waiting for Black’s castling. The price
9P+-+R+-zP0 − the pawn is on e3 and will have to spend
a tempo to go to e4.
9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 5...xc3+ 6.bxc3 d6 The immediate 6...c5
33...d5 was a good move that kept Black is also possible.
out of danger;
7.e2 7.f3 h5 8.h3 f5 was played in
33...d1+ 34.g2 was what Ding missed, Caruana,F (2766)−Carlsen,M (2859) chess.
but he is still OK here after 34...d5. com SpeedChess 2022 blitz (2.14) ½-½.
34.xc5 All of a sudden, Black is lost. 7...c5 7...e5 was tried by Caruana
8.g3 e8 9.d3 c6Hakobyan,A
34...d1+ Nothing works anymore. (2620)−Caruana,F (2766) American Cup
Blitz 2023 (9.1) 0-1.
34...d4+ 35.cxd4 d1+ 36.g2 f4
37.e5 parries all threats after 37...f1+ 8.g3 c6 9.a2!? Here comes
38.g3 g1+ 39.f4 f1+ 40.g5; Ding’s prepared surprise. The rook on
34...xc5+ 35.xc5 xc3 36.g2 is a the second rank is a common motif in
technically winning endgame for White. the Saemisch as it will be very useful

May 2023
to swing to the centre or kingside. The

move has been tried several times by
XIIIIIIIIY
Armenian GM Hakobyan, albeit all of 9r+-+-trk+0
them in online chess. 9zp-+-+p+-0
The immediate 9.e4 can be met by 9...d5!
9lzpnzppwqp+0
when Black has the better of the central 9+-zp-+-+-0
confrontation. 9-+PzPP+-+0
9...b6 Black develops in typical fashion, 9zP-zP-+-sN-0
intending ...a6, ...a5, ...c8 and 9R+-+-zPP+0
eventually ...cxd4, which would lead to
winning the pawn on c4.
9+-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...e5 10.d5 a5 11.e4 d7 12.d3 15.e5! White can only go forward. Stopping
b6 Hakobyan,A (2608)−Zhigalko,S will allow Black to consolidate.
(2572) Titled Tue 4th Apr Early blitz
2023 (11) 1-0 13.e2 with a subsequent 15...dxe5 16.d5 16.e4 could lead to a
advance with f4 gives White initiative quick repetition after 16...f5 17.d6 f6
on the kingside. 18.e4 f5 but that was not on Ding’s
mind at all.
10.e4 a6 11.g5 h6 12.h4 White’s play
is very aggressive and risky, if his attack 16...e7 Black could also put either rook
doesn’t crash through he will be lost on d8.
because of the positional deficiencies of his
position on the queenside. 16...fd8 17.d2 exd5 18.cxd5 xf1
19.xf1 f4 20.h3 with ideas like h5
12...hxg5 12...cxd4!? inserting the with very sharp play;
exchange on d4 made sense. 13.cxd4 (13.
f4 dxc3 14.c2 e8 15.xc3 c8 16.h3 16...ad8 17.d2 exd5 (17...a5 leads to
is play more suited for online blitz than very complicated play after 18.d3 xc4
a World Championship match.) 13...hxg5 19.f3 the rook’s maneuvers in the game
14.hxg5 g6 15.f4!? this was likely Ding’s and in the variations are quite impressive.
intention. It leads to crazy play after 19...g7 20.h5 xd5! 21.d3! which
something like (15.gxf6 xf6 16.d2 fd8 should be around equal, but playing
gives Black easy play.) 15...d7 16.d2 this over the board is absolutely nerve−
e8 17.g4 g7 18.h6 h8 19.d5 with wracking.) 18.cxd5 xf1 19.xf1 f4
a total mess; 20.h5!? (or 20.h3) 20...g5 (20...gxh5
21.d3 fe8 22.xh5 is dangerous for
An obscure game went 12...e8 13.d2! Black, though he should be able to survive
e7? 14.e5! dxe5 15.e4 xe4 16.xe7 after 22...f8 23.d6! f6!) 21.d3 e4 22.f4!!
xd2 17.f6! xf1 18.g4 g6 19.dxe5 exf3 23.xf3 with yet another mess.
ad8 20.f4 but more on this later. FVitelli
(1540)−opqrstuv (1471) Rated Rapid game 17.d6 f5 18.e4 d8! 18...g7 was
2023 1-0. worse. It keeps the queen closer to the king
but allows 19.g4! b7 20.g2 ad8 21.d7
13.hxg5 g6 14.gxf6 14.f4 was again when White establishes a bind thanks to the
possible, with similar lines as in the note advanced pawn on d7. 21...xe4 22.xe4
starting with 12...cxd4. h6 23.g5 f5 is the only move. (after
23...f5? 24.d2 Black can barely move.)
14...xf6 24.gxh6 xd7 25.xd7 xd7 26.c6

05/143
and the piece should be worth more than the 22.g5

pawns, but Black keeps drawing chances. XIIIIIIIIY
19.d3! With the brutal threat of h3. 9r+-wq-tr-+0
9zpl+-+pmk-0
19.g4 is met by 19...b7.
9-zp-zPp+p+0
19...g7 The only move. 9+-zp-zp-zP-0
19...b7? 20.h3 wins a piece after
9-+P+N+-sn0
20...h4 21.xh4 xh4 22.xh4. 9zP-zPQ+-+R0
9R+-+-zP-+0
20.g4 b7 Again the only move.
9+-+-mKL+-0
20...h4? 21.g5 f5 22.f4! is a beautiful xiiiiiiiiy
way to open the second rank for the rook on 22...xe4? Here comes the mistake. It was
a2. After ah2 White’s attack is decisive. reasonable to expect that a human would
A sample line is 22...h8 23.ah2 xh2 crack under the tremendous pressure the
24.xh2 b7 25.h3 h8 26.xh8+ xh8 position imposed. Ding deserves full
27.xh8 xh8 28.d7 and the pawn promotes; credit for creating such a position thanks
to his excellent opening preparation.
20...h6? 21.g5 (or even 21.xh6 xh6
22.g5+ g7 23.h3 h8 24.g3 which 22...h8 was the only way to stay in the
is also winning for White.) 21...f5 22.f4! game. The lines are extremely complicated
with the same position as after 20...h4. though, both to calculate and evaluate.
23.f4 (23.f6? e4! is bad for White, Black
21.h3 Getting out of the pin on the long now threatens ...f3 while 24.xe4 xe4
diagonal. 25.xe4 xg5 leaves White with nothing;
23.g3 xe4 24.xh4 c6 25.xe5+
21.d7 e7 22.d2 ad8 23.g5 xe4 f6 26.xh8 fxe5 27.xd8 xd8 28.d2
24.xe4 f6 is also unclear. With the game f7 is another equal endgame.) 23...
move White keeps more tension in the exf4 24.f6 f3+ (or 24...e5 25.ah2
position; f3+! 26.xf3! xf3 27.h7+ xh7
28.xh7+ f8 29.h8+ g7 30.h7+
21.gxf5? exf5 is just bad for White. with a perpetual check.) 25.xf3 xf3
26.d7 c6 27.d6 with a very curious
21...h4 A good move, but played with the position when White has only a knight
wrong idea. (but what a knight!) for rook and two
pawns, but Black must seek salvation with
21...h8 22.xh8 xh8 23.gxf5 exf5 the only move 27...b8! 28.xc6 e5+
24.g5 h4 (or even 24...f6!?) 25.g3 29.d1 ad8 30.d2 which is equal, but
xg3 26.fxg3 f6 should be fine for Black still very complicated.
as the pawn mass ensures against problems
in the endgame, in spite of White’s extra 23.xe4 f5 24.d2 Now White is
piece; winning as Black is tied down − he
needs to defend against the advance of
21...xe4 22.xe4 xd6 23.xe5+ f6 the d−pawn and also against the threats
24.h2 f7 is the only move, Black had against his king.
to see that he is fine after 25.h7+ g8
26.g2 d3! creating counterplay against 24...h8 24...xg5 loses to 25.xe5+ f6
White’s king. 26.h2! and the combined threats on the h−file

May 2023
with the advance of the d−pawn decide the game 33.c2 e7?! But he gets back in!
after 26...h8 27.xh8 xh8 28.xh8+!
xh8 29.d7 when the pawn promotes. 33...h4! was correct, threatening check
from e4. After 34.xa7 e4+ 35.d3
25.xh8 xh8 26.d7 This also wins, c6 Black is fine.
but here Ding missed the most clear−cut 34.g2?!
victory, which would have crowned the XIIIIIIIIY
stellar career of the queen’s rook. With
the game move, Ding continues to play 9-+-tr-+-+0
on domination. 9zp-wQPwqpmk-0
26.d3! with the idea of h3 wins 9-zp-+p+p+0
immediately. 26...d8 27.h3 and after 9+-zp-+n+-0
xe5 Black will be mated. 9-+P+-+-+0
26...d8 27.xe5+ h7 28.h2+ g7 9zP-zP-+-+-0
29.e5+ h7 30.h2+ Repeating moves 9-+KtR-zPL+0
to gain time. As usual in the whole match,
Ding had less time than his opponent. 9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
30...g7 31.c7 h4 A curious Natural, intending c6, but allowing a
moment. Nepomniachtchi saw that White tactical chance.
can take the rook only when he played
the move. 34.b3! prevents the ...d4 trick
(because now the pawn on a3 is defended
31...f8 was objectively better, but after Black recaptures ...cxd4) and keeps
should still lose to 32.d1! e7 33.c2 a big advantage, for example, 34...e5
xg5 34.xa7 when Black is tied down 35.d5 f6 36.h3 when Black is close
while White can take on b6 and advance to paralysed.
with the a−pawn.
34...e5? Missing another chance.
32.d1? Played after 2 minutes and 40
seconds, but this still wasn’t enough for 34...d4+! would have saved Black. 35.cxd4
Ding to calculate carefully and see that he xd7 36.f4 (or 36.e5+ f6 37.e3 xd4
could hide from the checks and win after 38.xd4 cxd4 39.xd4 xa3 now we see
taking the rook on d8. the importance of the move 34.b3.) 36...
cxd4 37.xd4 xa3 again White misses the
After 32.xd8! e4+ 33.e2 b1+ move b3 and Black should draw easily
34.d2 b2+ 35.d3 b1+ 36.c2 after 38.xd7 a4+ and ...xd7 next.
d1+ (36...xf1+ is simpler 37.d2
xf2+ 38.c1 and the king hides 35.e4 h6 36.xa7 g4 37.f3?
on b2.) 37.e4!! was the key move White misses the last chance in this game.
that both players missed (and the one
Nepomniachtchi saw too late). Now White 37.c6! was important, the d7-pawn
hides from the checks and the d−pawn needs extra protection, as we shall see
promotes. 37...xc2+ 38.d3 d6+ from the game continuation. 37...e4
39.e5 xd3 40.f6+ h7 41.d8 38.xb6 e5 39.b5! still keeping the
xc4+ 42.f4 e5+ 43.g4 e2+ bishop in contact with the d7-pawn. Now
44.g3 and the checks end. the a−pawn can march forward and the d7-
pawn is taboo as 39...xd7? 40.c7 wins
32...xg5 Now Black is out of danger. the pinned knight;

05/143
37.b3! was another winning move, now 43...fxe4 44.xe4 f6 45.e8
after 37...xf2 38.xf2 xd7 39.xb6 the
a−pawn is again the decisive factor; ½-½
37.xb6! was also possible. 37...xd7

38.xd7 xd7 39.xc5 a4+ 40.d2 An extremely tense game and a big
the endgame is winning for White, though disappointment for Ding. His opening
it will take some time to convert. preparation was a success, he played
energetically and achieved a winning
37...xf2! A great resource, saving the position, only to miss several winning
game for Black. continuations and concede a draw.
38.xf2 e4! The bishop is cut off and is Ding failed to equalize the score for
severely limited by the black pawns. a third time and the lucky escape
firmly placed the match initiative in
39.e2 f5 White should be careful now not Nepomniachtchi’s hands.
to end up worse.
40.xb6 xd7 41.b8 d6 42.xd6

xd6 43.xe4 Liquidating to a drawn
rook endgame.
THE MOMENT DING'S PREPARATION WAS DISCOVERED ONLINE

During the eighth game, somebody on the internet discovered a
series of games played on the lichess server between FVitelli (rated
1540) and opqrstuv (rated 1471). These names mean nothing at first
sight, but the content of the games was very telling. These games
featured Ding’s opening ideas like the move 4.h3 from Game 2,
the move 9.a2 from Game 8, various games in the Italian Giuco
Piano, Anti−Marshall, the English Opening, the Berlin Defence and
the London System. The games were played between 14 February
and 5 April and contained a lot of original ideas. It didn’t take long
to conclude that the players were Ding Liren and Richard Rapport,
playing training games and practising their opening ideas.
When asked about this at the press conference after Game 8 Ding
feigned ignorance, but after the match he admitted that soon he
realised that he was out of opening ideas for the match and his team
had to come up with new ones.
This put additional stress on him - trailing in the match and with no
constructive opening ideas he was facing difficult times ahead.
TheLeak This situation resembled the one from 2018, when Caruana’s
preparation was leaked in a promotional video from his preparation
camp. It didn’t affect Caruana much (Carlsen’s second Peter Heine
Nielsen admitted that they didn’t get any advantage from knowing
which lines Caruana had prepared), while Ding had yet to find ways
to deal with the unpleasant situation.

May 2023
Game 9: 11.b3 xd1 12.xd1 b6 13.c4

xe4 with an equal endgame and further
DING HOLDS ON simplifications.
Nepomniachtchi – Ding, ½ - ½ 9...e7 10.c2 b8 The knight was
21.04.2023 rather bad on c6, so Black re−routes it. The
alternatives are 10...a7 and 10...d8. The
For Game 9 Ding returned to his favourite game move has the idea to play ...c6 and
first move but prepared another deviation then send the knight either to a6 and c7 or
from his favourite Marshall. c5.
1.e4 e5 2.f3 c6 3.b5 f6 There isn’t 11.e1 d8 12.h3 12.f1 c6 13.c4 h6
an elite player who hasn’t tried the Berlin gave Black a satisfactory position in the
and Ding has certainly done so in the past. game So,W (2771)−Nakamura,H (2768)
It is not his main weapon, but it shouldn’t CGC KO 2022 chess.com INT rapid (5.2)
have been a surprise for Nepomniachtchi. ½-½.
Even more so, the leaked games also
contained games in the Berlin, something 12...h6 13.f1 13.f1 bd7 14.c4
that Nepomniachtchi’s team had to take b6 15.e3 b7 was equal in the game
into consideration. However, the thing with Nakamura,H (2768)−So,W (2771) CGC KO
the Berlin is that even if you know your 2022 chess.com INT rapid (5.1) ½-½.
opponent is going to play it, you can do very
little about it − it is that solid. Kasparov was 13...c6 14.c4 a6 Black continues with
the first to find that out in 2000. Another his plan.
piece of information coming from Ding’s
choice was that his Marshall still wasn’t 15.g3 c7 The queen frees the way for
completely ready to get back in use. the bishop to drop back to f8 and then to
proceed with ...c5 and ...b5, to obtain
4.d3 The endgame is rarely tested active play on the queenside.
nowadays, with this move being White’s
main try. 16.a2 b5 Since the bishop retreated and
no longer controls the b5-square, Black
4...c5 5.c3 This move−order allows Black plays ...b5 immediately.
to strike in the centre with ...d5. If White
wants to avoid that he should play 5.0-0, 17.e2 White slowly moves his pieces
but that allows 5...d4. towards the kingside. His plan is to play
h4 and f3, when he will start creating
5...0-0 6.0-0 d5 Current theory considers threats on the kingside.
this as the easiest path for Black. The
alternative 6...d6 leads to a different type 17...b8?! This is natural, as it defends the
of position. pawn on b5, but this tempo gives White the
time he needs to start his kingside attack.
7.bd2 White’s main alternatives are Ding spent more than 15 minutes on this
7.exd5 and 7.e2. move.
7...dxe4 8.dxe4 a5 With this move Black 17...f8! was better. Black obtains
stops b4. excellent compensation after 18.axb5
(18.h4 is an attempt to ignore the pawn.
9.a4 White can take a pawn after 9.xc6 After 18...c5 19.f3 d3 Black pushes
bxc6 10.xe5 but it has been established the queen back and 20.e2 bxa4 21.c4
that this only leads to a draw after 10...e8 xg3!? the retreat to d8 is perfectly fine,

05/143
too. 22.fxg3 cxe4 leads to an unclear 21.g5!? was a serious alternative.

position where Black is by no means Black must play 21...d3! 22.e2 h7
worse.) 18...cxb5 19.xb5 c5 when the 23.e3 and now the exchange sacrifice
threats of ...a6 and ...b8 coupled with 23...xe3! is necessary to keep Black’s
...d3 give him easy play. 20.b4 d3 chances. After 24.xe3 xb2 25.e2
21.d1 a6 22.xa5 xc3 23.d2 c2 b3!? is a second inspiring exchange
leads to lively piece play that is objectively sacrifice, with a very messy position
balanced, for example now White can force where all three results are possible.
a repetition with 24.ac1!? xc1 25.xc1
b2 26.b1 c2. 21...xb2 Ding plays for sharp counterplay.
18.h4! 21...d3 has the idea to simplify the

XIIIIIIIIY position after 22.e3 xe3 23.xe3
d6 with ...d3 next, though things
9-trltr-+k+0 are still unclear after 24.xe5! e6
9+-wq-+pzp-0 (24...xe5? 25.f4 wins the rook on b8.)
25.xf7!? xf7 26.e5 d3 27.exf6 gxh6
9n+p+-sn-zp0 28.f4 xa2 29.xb8 which should be
9zppvl-zp-+-0 dynamically balanced and very difficult to
9P+-+P+-sN0 first calculate, then evaluate and eventually
play for both sides.
9+-zP-+-sNP0
9LzP-+QzPP+0 22.xf8 xf8 Natural, but far from forced.
The knight on f8 cannot escape, so Black
9tR-vL-tR-mK-0 can postpone the recapture.
xiiiiiiiiy
Now White creates serious threats on the 22...b3?! 23.xb3 axb3 24.g5 xf8
kingside. 25.c4 is good for White, as the rook on
b2 and the pawn on b3, in addition to the
18...f8 19.f3 This move creates the weakened king only add to Black’s troubles;
threat of xh6.
22...d3 23.e3! (23.e3?! dd2! gives
19.g6 was an interesting alternative. Black enough counterplay, with crazy
19...c5 (19...d6 20.f4!? looks lines like 24.h5 fxe4! 25.f6+ xf6
threatening, with the idea of 20...exf4? 26.xf6! gxf6 27.g3+ h8 28.g7+
21.e5 c5+ 22.h1 with a decisive g8 29.h6+ h8 with perpetual check.)
attack.) 20.xf8 xf8 21.e3!? xa4 23...b3 24.h5 and White still has a
22.f1 with f4 next and White has serious strong initiative on the kingside;
compensation for the pawn.
22...d3 23.ed1! (23.e2 a3 is unclear,
19...bxa4 19...h7?! 20.gf5 only helps with the nice idea 24.g6 h7! when
White’s attack; both the knight on g6 and the bishop on
h6 are attacked by the king!) 23...g4! a
19...c5!? was more precise. After 20.xh6 pretty shot! 24.hxg4 xf2 suddenly the
h7 21.e3 bxa4 the position is far from queen is short of squares! 25.e6! a great
clear, but Black shouldn’t be worse as he has shot from White now! (25.e3 xa2!
ideas like ...xb2, ...e6 and ...b3 (to shut 26.xa2 xg4 is dangerous for White,
the bishop on a2) or ...d3. though after a series of precise moves it
should end in a draw after 27.g5 a7+
20.xh6 c5 21.g6 It’s tempting to go 28.h1 df2+ 29.xf2 xd1+ 30.f1
after the bishop pair. xf1+ 31.xf1 xh6 32.d8 f2

May 2023
33.e6+ h7 34.f8+ with a perpetual 27.xb5 is objectively better, but after 27...
check.) 25...xf3 26.xc7 xg3 27.g5 cxb5 28.e3 d7 Black’s play is easier − he
b8 this is still very much unclear, only seeks ways how to get his queenside
though objectively it should be around pawns moving forward, while White lost the
equal, in spite of White being a piece up concrete objective of his kingside initiative.
for two pawns. For example: 29.ab1 b3 (or 29...b8
30.f5 xf5 31.exf5 hf6 and the knights
23.g5 White wants to worsen the position have nice squares on d5 and c4.) 30.f5 g6
of the black knight before chasing away the 31.g3 hf6 with unclear play.
rook with c1, but this helps Black.
27...xe6 28.f5 c5 Shutting the bishop on a3.
The immediate 23.c1 is met by 23...b5!
here this is good, unlike in the game. 29.e2 White no longer has an attack, so
(23...c2? in the game this was good, but he reroutes his queen to c4.
here it isn’t as White has 24.a3 b3
25.xf8 xf8 26.xb3 axb3 27.e3! 29.c1!? rerouting the bishop was
preventing ...b6 and with c4 next White possible. 29...f6 30.xa4 c4 with a
is well on top.) 24.a3 d8 with unclear double−edged position.
play;
29...b3 30.c4 c6 Controlling the light
23.c4 was best and kept White’s squares d5 and b5. White has nothing better
advantage. Now the bishop cannot be now than to start simplifying by going after
shut with ...b3 nor taken with ...xa2. Black’s queenside pawns.
23...e6 24.f5! is very strong. 24...xf5
is the only move. (24...xc4? 25.xg7 will 31.c1 f6 32.xa4 32.xa4?! xc3! is
lead to mate soon.) 25.xf5 e7 26.g6 better for Black.
e8 27.c1 and it’s obvious that the
bishop dominate the board, though Black 32...xa4 33.xa4 xc3 Black had more
is not without chances after 27...d6! than one way to ensure equality.
28.xf7+ xf7 29.xb2 d3 30.a3
f6 31.h5 xe1 32.xe1 a7. 33...d7 34.xa5 xc3 was one;
23...h7 24.c1 b5?! Ding played this 33...a8 34.e7+ h7 35.c6 d7
with the intention to sacrifice the exchange was another.
on b5.
34.b2 b3 35.xe5 b4 36.xa5 xe4
24...c2! was better. The point is that after 37.xe4 xe4 This is a drawn position,
25.a3 (25.d1 xc3 is OK for Black; but White continues to pose problems and
eventually wins the c5-pawn.
25.b1 xc1! 26.xc1 b3 immediately
regains the exchange.) 25...b3! 26.xf8 38.a4 d4 Black decides to give up the pawn
xf8! now the knight can recapture on f8 immediately. This is much more practical than
and Black is even better. This is why it was calculating correctly the lines after 38...d2.
better for White not to force the knight to
h7 on move 23. 38...d2 was possible, with some fascinating
lines: 39.g4 f4!! an incredible move! The
25.a3 e8 26.c4 e6 A critical knight can be taken by either bishop or rook
moment. White needs to decide where to and the pawn on g7 can be taken by all three
take: on e6 or b5. white pieces! 40.h6+ (40.xg7+ h8! is a
picturesque position when White’s pieces turn
27.xe6 The human decision. out to be awkwardly placed. After 41.xf4

05/143
e1+ 42.h2 f1+ Black forces a perpetual pawn. It appears that Black’s pawns are
check; 40.xf4 e1+ 41.h2 f1+ 42.g1 too advanced and he may have trouble
d2+ is a perpetual check.) 40...h7 is the defending them, especially after White’s
only move. 41.xf7 e2+ 42.h2 g8! next move.
43.xg7+ f8 incredible voyage of the black
king to the h−file and back to f8. In spite of 54.h4! gxh4!
losing all of the kingside, Black draws as XIIIIIIIIY
White’s pieces are all under attack: 44.h7
g8 45.g7+ f8 is a repetition. 9-+-+k+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
39.xd4 cxd4 40.xd4 g6 Now White
tries to squeeze blood from the stone, but 9-+-sn-+-+0
Black defends well. 9+-+-sNp+-0
41.e3 g7 42.b4 g3 43.b7
9-+-+-+-zp0
f5 44.g4 The rook endgame after 9+-+-+K+-0
the exchange of knights would be an 9-+-+-zPP+0
elementary draw.
9+-+-+-+-0
44...e7 45.b5 e1+ 46.h2 e2 xiiiiiiiiy
47.b7 d6 48.a7 f8 49.g3 f5 But Ding finds the only defence.
Black wasn’t forced to advance with the
f−pawn, but he saw that this forces the 54...e4? 55.hxg5 xg5+ 56.f4 e4
exchange of rooks. 57.g4! d6 58.e3 wins the pawn on f5.
50.f3 50.e3 e4+ wins the pawn on f2. 55.f4 h3! Leaving White with an h−pawn.
50...e7 51.a8+ e8 52.xe8+ xe8 56.gxh3 e7 57.c6+ 57.g5 e4+ gets
53.e5 g5 The only move to save the the f2-pawn.

May 2023
57...f6 Now the king is close and Black 5.xe5 This is White’s only reasonable
defends easily. attempt to try for an advantage.
58.d4 e4 59.f3 f2 60.h4 d3+ The 5...xe5 6.d4 b4 7.dxe5 xe4 8.f3
check forces the king away from the ideal xc3 9.bxc3 c5!?
f4-square, thus securing the pawn on f5. XIIIIIIIIY
61.g3 g6 62.e6 f6 63.f4 b4 64.f2 9r+lwqk+-tr0
e5 65.e3 c2+ 66.d2 d4 67.d3+ 9zppzpp+pzpp0
f6 68.e3 c2+ 69.f4 d4 70.g3
e2+ 71.f2 d4 72.f4 e5 73.e2 e6 9-+-+-+-+0
74.g3 f6 75.g2 g7 76.f2 f4 This 9+-vl-zP-+-0
limits the movement of White’s king. 9-+P+-+-+0
77.g1 g6 78.g2 h6 79.c1 h5 9+-zP-+Q+-0
80.h3 d4 81.d3 xf3 82.xf4+ 9P+-+-zPPzP0
½-½ 9tR-vL-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This was a surprise for Ding. This
Another tense game where Nepomniachtchi admission means that his preparation was
had certain chances, but never a clear−cut not up to the required level. Perhaps this
one. Ding could be satisfied with the result was a result of his team looking for new
as he played dynamically in defence. Now ideas after the leak, leading to some lines
he was faced with the problem of the leaked not being checked thoroughly enough.
preparation as he badly needed fresh ideas
with the white pieces. 9...a5 is the other major theoretical
alternative, for example, 10.f4 0-0 11.0-
Game 10: 0-0 e7 with unclear, but objectively
balanced play in the game Carlsen,M
A GOOD OUTCOME FOR NEPO (2876)−Caruana,F (2812) FIDE Chess.com
Grand Swiss 2019 (9) ½-½;
Ding – Nepomniachtchi, ½ - ½
23.04.2023 9...e7 has been played by Nepomniachtchi
in an earlier game, but here White has some
1.c4 Ding returns to the English Opening. pull after 10.g3 g6 11.h6Carlsen,M
(2861)−Nepomniachtchi,I (2773) Abidjan
1...f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.e4 This line GCT blitz 2019 (6) ½-½.
featured in one of the leaked games.
10.g3 f8 11.e2 White covers the
4...c5!? A very concrete approach by e−file in order to avoid a pin on the e−file.
Nepomniachtchi, typical for his Black strategy
in both World Championship matches − if 11.d3 leaves the bishop exposed, for
given a chance, he relied on detailed and very example 11...d6 12.0-0 dxe5 now the
concrete forcing lines, trying to kill the game bishop is attacked by the queen on d8.
off. This game was a perfect example of that 13.xe5 xd3 14.xc5+ d6 and Black
strategy working to perfection. should be fine;
The main alternative and main move is 11.f4 d6 12.d1 h5! similarly uses the
4...b4 which leads to slower play without h−pawn as in the game, to harass the white
forcing lines. queen on g3.

05/143
11...d6 12.f4 e7! A nice move, whose White takes a pawn, but after the
tactical justification is demonstrated in the simplifications, Black has easy play against
next note. White’s weaknesses on the queenside.
13.d1 Black’s idea is seen after 13.0-0 Retreating doesn’t offer much either
dxe5 14.xe5 f6 15.xc7 xe2 this is 17.e3 xe3 18.fxe3 e6 (or simply
why the queen was needed on the e−file. 18...g7 not allowing g6.) 19.g6 g8
16.ae1 xf2+! and this is how Black 20.h6+ g7 and Black is safe.
simplifies the position and makes a draw.
17.xf2 xf2+ 18.xf2 d7 with a 17...xd6 18.xd6+ xd6 19.xd6 e6
drawn endgame. Black wants to consolidate with ...e7 and
then start attacking White’s pawns on the
13...h5! Another precise move. queenside by using the c−file.
14.0-0 What is curious about this game is 20.f4 White tries to inject some dynamism
that Nepomniachtchi was following a game into the position before Black consolidates.
he was playing with the white pieces! His By breaking Black’s pawn structure on the
opponent, Cardoso Cardoso, played all kingside he hopes to be able to divert Black
these moves in a blitz game on the internet from his plan.
and this game gave Nepomniachtchi
great basis for his preparation in a World 20...e7 21.d4 gxf4 22.fxf4 Stopping
Championship match! With his team, ...h3 with 22.h3 would be met by 22...ag8
he managed to analyse this line until the 23.h2 g5 with the idea of ...a5.
endgame and eventual draw.
22...h3 23.g4 Now White wants to activate
In that game Nepomniachtchi played 14.h4 the king with f2-g3.
but after 14...dxe5 15.xe5 g4 Black
didn’t have any problems: Nepomniachtchi,I 23...ac8 24.f2 c5 25.a4 Played after
(2784)−Cardoso Cardoso,J (2414) Titled some thought.
Tuesday intern op 5th May blitz 2020 (4) 1-0.
25.g3 was the alternative, but even here
14...h4 15.d3 g5! Another precise move, Black holds relatively easily with 25...a5
forcing simplifications. 26.d2 and now the direct 26...f5!? (there
is nothing wrong with something simple like
15...dxe5? 16.d8+ would be bad for Black. 26...b6 since White cannot really effectively
use his extra pawn on the queenside.) 27.g5
16.exd6 cxd6 17.xd6 (27.gxf5 xf5 simplifies the position further.)
XIIIIIIIIY 27...g8 28.h4 h8+ leads to a repetition.
9r+l+-mk-tr0 25...a5 26.d1 The bishop defends both
9zpp+-wqp+-0 pawns on a4 and g4, but by being defensive
White cannot hope to exploit his extra
9-+-vL-+-+0 pawn.
9+-vl-+-zp-0
9-+P+-+-zp0 26...b6 26...a6 with the idea of ...b6 was
another idea.
9+-zPQ+-+-0
9P+-+LzPPzP0 27.g3 h6 28.fe4 Threatening d5, to
exchange the active rook on a5.
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 28...f8 29.d8+ g7 30.a8

May 2023
XIIIIIIIIY 40.gxf5 40.g5 g4 wins the g−pawn.

9R+-+-+-+0
9zp-+-+pmk-0 40...f4 41.b5 f6 42.g3 xf5
43.xf5+ xf5 44.h4 g6 45.h5+ xh5
9-zp-+l+-tr0
9tr-+-+-+-0 ½-½
9P+P+R+P+0
9+-zP-+-mKp0 An unsuccessful attempt by Ding Liren,
9-+-+-+-zP0 who was caught in nice preparation by his
opponent.
9+-+L+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy For Nepomniachtchi this was a very good
White activated his pieces to what was outcome, finally showing fine preparation
maximum possible, but even that doesn’t and drawing with Black without problems,
suffice. a rarity in this match. Still leading and with
a white game ahead, Nepomniachtchi could
30...c5 Nepomniachtchi goes for be quite content how the match was going.
simplifications, which sooner or later are
inevitable. With just four more games left in the
match, Nepomniachtchi was leading with a
For example 30...d7 31.e7 xa4 (or the score of 5.5 to 4.5, giving him an advantage
simple 31...d6) 32.xa4 xa4 33.axa7 in the upcoming eleventh game where he
xa7 34.xa7 d6 is an easily drawn rook had the white pieces. Ding, on the other
endgame. hand, was in a position that he had tot win
two games and not lose the other two if he
31.xa7 xc4 32.ae7 hc6 33.7e5 wanted to take the crown to China.
33.xh3 e6 34.h4 xc3 is again an
easy draw. However, in the final four regular games of
the match, Nepomniachtchi’s heightened
33...xe5 34.xe5 b3! A pretty tactic to nervousness was to come to the fore…
kill the game off.
In the next issue of BCM we will be taking
35.xb3 xc3+ 36.h4 xb3 37.b5 a closer look at how the final part of the
a3 38.xb6 xa4 39.xh3 f5! And match unravelled and how Ding Liren - in
another one to end it on the spot. spite of everything - emerged victorious.

05/143
THE END
OF AN ERA:
AFTER 10 YEARS
ON THE THRONE,
MAGNUS CARLSEN NO
Photo: Davil Llada

LONGER WORLD CHAMPION
With the victory of Ding Liren in the match in Astana, Magnus Carlsen ceased to be the
world champion in chess. It was a decision he made himself, announcing in July last year
that he will not defend his crown in a match.
"I’ve spoken to people in my team, I’ve spoken to FIDE, I spoke to Ian as well. The
conclusion is very simple: I’m not motivated to play another match," said Carlsen. "I
don’t have a lot to gain. I don't particularly like it, and although I’m sure a match would
be interesting for historical reasons, I don’t have any inclinations to play and I will simply
not play the match," Carlsen said then.
Considered by many as the best player of all time, Magnus Carlsen became World
Champion in 2013 and successfully defended the title four times - in 2014, 2016, 2018,
and 2021.
Carlsen’s impressive track record of triumphs extends beyond his world title wins, as he
boasts a collection of rapid and blitz time control world titles, an unparalleled rating, and
numerous victories in top−tier tournaments.
Even as he loses his World Champion title in classical chess, Carlsen can still boast to be
world champion in two other categories - Rapid and Blitz, which he won several times,
including in the most recent championships in Almaty at the end of 2022.
Despite not being the world champion anymore, Carlsen is still rated as the world’s top−
rated player. Intending to pass the 2900 rating mark, the Norwegian has shown he still has
a lot to play for.
M.D.

May 2023
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NEPO-DING MATCH:

AN INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF ARBITER NEBOJSA BARALIC
AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES

AND OPPORTUNITIES OF ARBITING A
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
FROM A COLLAPSING CHAIR TO GAME-TIME DECISIONS:
INSIGHTS ON THE THRILLING THREE WEEKS IN ASTANA
By Milan Dinic; Photo: Stev Bonhage / FIDE
Nebojsa Baralic (49) from Serbia had Anyone who wants to understand the
one of the most critical and difficult roles psychology of a monumental event such as
in Astana - as the Chief Arbiter of the the match for the title of world champion
World Championship match between Ian or aspires to become an arbiter will find
Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren. Baralic’s experiences useful. The interview
provides a glimpse of the events in Astana
Baralic started chess in his teenage days and the people behind the scenes who made
and became a Master Candidate, but then it all possible.
focused more on organizing events and
became a chess arbiter. A mechanical British Chess Magazine: What was it
engineer by profession, Baralic works at like to be the Chief Arbiter in the match
the Serbian Institute for the Improvement of to determine the new world champion
Education where he is in charge of projects in chess?
of including chess in state education.
Nebojsa Baralic: It was a great privilege
In 2005, Baralic was awarded the title but a huge responsibility at the same time.
of International Arbiter, and since then, This match was unique because, even
he has been one of the most recognized before it started, we all knew that it would
faces in chess tournaments across the produce a new world champion! How many
globe, including major events such as times did this happen in history? Only 17
chess Olympiads, world and European times in 137 years! Bearing this in mind,
championships, and the Candidates. Being I knew that this would be a historic event.
selected as the Chief Arbiter in the World
Championship match is the pinnacle BCM: What are the key responsibilities of
of his chess career, and he is only the the Chief Arbiter in a world championship
second Serbian to have this honour, after match?
the legendary Svetozar Gligoric who was
the Chief Arbiter of the 1984/85 Karpov− N.B: The responsibilities can be split into
Kasparov match. three areas: before the beginning of the
match, during and after.
In an exclusive interview for BCM, Baralic
provides insights into his experience as the In the first phase, the Chief Arbiter checks
Chief Arbiter. in detail all the rules and regulations of the

05/143
match and discusses with the organisers one game, with “a million” cameras
the details of the playing venue and what filming constantly?
is needed.
Even though we are living in a new IT
A special emphasis is put on preparing the time, where everything is recorded and
Technical meeting with the players and their tracked, where you have monitors showing
teams. That is one of the final moments everything, anti−cheating devices, and
where any remaining issues or questions chess engines - it is extremely important
can be resolved; where we can define all that you pay attention to the players and
the critical issues which may arise during the game with your own, human eyes.
play and have the players acquainted with Computers and tech can help, but that
them. That point is also very critical for the is the same as watching the match from
relationship between the Chief Arbiter and another continent. When you are looking at
the players: That is when they get the real the players in person, you can see and feel
impression of who you are and what you are the atmosphere of the game, the way the
like as an arbiter, and can judge how well players breathe and react, the atmosphere
you understand everything and whether in the playing room, and the little sounds
they can feel secure and comfortable with and noises that can come from here or
the way the arbiter will do their job. there. You get a more complex and finer
understanding of what’s going on, which
In the second phase, during play, the most helps you create a better picture. You are
important element is to keep a constant not just a spectator, you are an actor, an
eye on the games and the players. There integral part of what’s unfolding.
can’t be any mistake from the arbiter in
this phase. There is also an administrative BCM: How did you prepare for this match?
element here - filling in certain forms,
but when there are two players there’s not N.B: I started by gathering and checking
much to do on that front. all the relevant rulebooks and documents
regarding the match - from the rules
The final - post−match phase - should be the governing the match itself to chess rules,
easiest one. As a Chief Arbiter, you have to anti−cheating, and regulations about
file a report to the organisers, where you organising tournaments…
describe every aspect of your work during
the match. Thie report has a technical Then, I was watching the recording of
part (the results, the games with all the the previous match, in Dubai, and also
moves…) but also you have to mention all the Candidates tournament in Madrid
the critical moments and any issues which where both players were playing - trying
arose during the match. to recognise certain patterns in their
behaviour during the games. I am well
BCM: When we have two top-world acquainted with both players following
players playing, when they are constantly the Yekaterinburg Candidates in 2020,
monitored by cameras from various held as the world was rapidly going into a
angles, when there are computers Coronavirus lockdown. Because of Covid
constantly checking their moves, and all of that tournament was the longest in chess
that is visible to the public everywhere in history - 407 days! Ian won there and
the world – is there really a lot of work for became the Candidate for the first time.
the arbiter?
By watching all these videos and reading
N.B: That’s one of the questions I get the regulations, I began to imagine potential
asked most often - what does the arbiter situations which can arise and how best to
do when there are just two players and deal with them.

May 2023

05/143
Also, I was regularly communicating BCM: You had a rare opportunity to spend
with the organisers on the details of more than three weeks just two-three
the schedule and the technical details, meters away from Nepo and Ding. What
including the arrangements for private did you observe that you did not notice
rooms for the players where they could before, or that we – watching online –
rest during the games. could not see?
BCM: What did you pay the most attention N.B: It was obvious that the two are
to during the match? extremely professional and that they have
a lot of respect for one another. During the
N.B: I was focused on the players almost entire match, they have been extremely
every second of each game. And I mean fair and polite to one another, which made
that. I was constantly monitoring the my work and life much easier.
board, writing down every move, checking
that the clock was working properly, and It was obvious that both had two things
following the body language of the players. in common: a strong desire to win and
The players don’t need to speak to you - as an urge to disappear quickly after they
an arbiter, you should be able to tell what lose a game. It is exactly those moments
they are feeling and thinking and anticipate of defeat when the arbiter needs to be
where an issue might arise even before one careful, present but almost invisible, to be
of the players flags it, being ready to react there if anything is needed but not to get
timely and properly. in the way.
After each game, I discussed with the other BCM: Were there any problems, issues, or
arbiters in the team how the day went and complaints from either of the teams during
what we noticed. I was fortunate to have the match?
an excellent team with me which included
Gerhard Bertagnolli as my deputy, and N.B: I don’t believe that any match for the
Gopakumar as the Fair Play Officer, and world crown in chess passed without any
I am grateful for their support and help additional requests from the teams, and that
before, during and after the match. was the case here as well.

May 2023
Two days before the match, both players and the games was almost always opened. At
their teams checked the playing area and one point during the match, the weather
the rest area. They were testing the stage, got bitter and it was very cold in Astana,
the table, the pieces, chairs, checking the coming down to minus 13. Ding still wanted
forms and even the pens they will be using. to keep the door to the balcony open. This
Every detail was checked. Ding wanted to particularly affected the Fair Play Officer
change his chair, and there were some other Gopakumar, who is from India, who was in
minor comments but nothing substantial, charge of checking all the areas where the
and all of the requests were resolved. players spend their time during the game. It
was so cold in those common areas that the
The seasoned Dutch chess organiser Joeren organisers had to bring several very strong
van der Berg - known to many in the chess heaters, and most of them were put near the
world as the key figure behind the Wijk aan table where Gopakumar was sitting.
Zee tournament − was the Supervisor and in
charge of sorting these things out. He did BCM: What does it mean for you
a great job! personally and for your country –
Serbia – that you had the honour
One thing was also noticeable - the teams of being the Chief Arbiter in a
of both players cooperated very well, they World Championship match which
were professional and kind to one another, determined the 17th world champion?
despite the stakes. This was very impressive.
N.B: This is a great honour for me and
BCM: You had the opportunity to see for my country, Serbia. This represents the
things which those following the games crown of my chess career. I am grateful to
via the broadcast couldn’t see. Could you everyone in FIDE as well as the players
share some details? for their support and trust in me. I hope I
have delivered.
N.B: Some things need to be left unsaid, at
least for now. However, I can highlight two For those who know chess history, they
interesting moments. will remember that Svetozar Gligoric was
the arbiter in the 1984/85 match between
Somewhere during the first part of the Karpov and Kasparov. Also, another
match, after the game had finished and compatriot of mine, Sava Stoisavljevic
while we were preparing for the next round, was the Chief Arbiter of the 2010 Chess
the chair in which Nepomniachtchi was Olympiad in Khanty−Mansiysk. My work
sitting collapsed. is, therefore, an extension of the efforts and
dedication of Serbian arbiters in various
Luckily, being a mechanical engineer by FIDE events. I hope that we will continue
profession, I quickly determined what had that tradition as Serbia has many talented
happened and was able to fix it myself. It and experienced young arbiters.
was usable, but I noticed during the games
the way Ian preferred to sit and move in the %&0 ,I RৼHUHG ZRXOG \RX DJDLQ WDNH
chair, so I requested a part to be refitted to on the role of a Chief Arbiter in a world
enforce the chair, and all was done quickly. title match?
There was another chair in reserve which was N.B: Such an offer is never declined.
brought specially from Russia for this event. I’d like to use this opportunity to thank
everyone, including the Kazakhstan chess
When it comes to Ding, he did not have federation and the St Regis Hotel where the
any special requests save for fresh air. The match was held. They gave us unwithering
balcony door in his private room during support for everything we needed.

05/143
BOAT RACE OF THE BRAIN
%\b*UDQGPDVWHUb5D\PRQG.HHQH2%(
Watching this year’s Boat Race between sana in corpore sano, a healthy mind in a
the teams of Oxford and Cambridge healthy body, was an enthusiastic advocate
Universities, in which Cambridge won for both rowing and chess.
comprehensively across the board (male,
female, reserve…) it struck me that The role of ceremonial orator was assumed
Cambridge seem to be leading in both long− by my Editor at TheArticle, Daniel Johnson,
established disciplines, rowing and chess. where I write a weekly chess column,
while distinguished guests included the
This year in chess, Cambridge (my Alma chess historian Richard Eales and the
Mater being Trinity College, where I 1965 British champion, Peter Lee, who
shared a Great Court landing with King represented Oxford while still champion in
Charles III) maintained their overall lead, the (also drawn) contest of 1966.
though the 141st Varsity chess match,
held at London’s Royal Automobile Club OXFORD VS CAMBRIDGE
on 4th March, ended, after multifarious
vicissitudes, in an honourable 4−4 draw. Tom O’Gorman 1 : 0 Miroslav Macko
Cambridge thus stemmed Oxford’s recent
advances to retain their overall lead, by 60 Emil Powierski ½ : ½ Jan Petr
wins to 58, with 23 drawn.
Ashvin Sivakumar 1 : 0 Freddie Hand
The indefatigable match commentator was
Grandmaster Matthew Sadler, while Barry Max French 0 : 1 Daniel Gallagher
Martin, perhaps the world’s strongest
chess−playing artist, and a former sponsor, Amardip Ahluwalia 0 : 1 Gwilym Price
offered a portrait of the late educational
guru, Tony Buzan, as a special prize. Dominic Miller ½ : ½ Ognjen Stefanovic
Interestingly, Tony himself, also a former Nugith Jayawarna 1 : 0 Imogen Camp

sponsor, in his perpetual quest for the
classic Roman Imperial ideal, of Mens Aditi Agarwal 0 : 1 Omeet Atara

May 2023
The match was expertly organised by White’s next is, indeed, very unforcing. More
RAC stalwarts, Henry McWatters, Henry aggressive is 10.h4 as in Portisch v Pachman,
Mutkin (an Oxford veteran of the 1957 Moscow 1967, brilliantly won by White.
match) and Stephen Meyler, who together
masterminded what is now well established, 10.c1 df6 11.xe4 xe4 12.e1
not just as the Boat Race of the Brain, but xg2 13.xg2 c8 14.d3 e4 15.e3
also the jewel in the crown of the UK d6 16.cxd5! cxd5 17.xc8 xc8 18.a3
annual social chess scene. XIIIIIIIIY
My days representing Cambridge date from 9-+q+-trk+0
the Cretaceous period, when I scored 3½/4. 9zpp+-zppvlp0
My favourite game is the following which,
strangely, has hitherto avoided annotation. My 9-+-sn-+p+0
opponent was the formidable Andrew Whiteley, 9+-+p+-+-0
former European junior champion, who had 9-+-zP-+-+0
recently come top of the British contingent in
the Hastings Premier, going on later to come 9vLP+NzP-zP-0
second in the British championship and qualify 9P+-+-zPKzP0
as an International Master.
9+-+Q+R+-0
Raymond Keene - xiiiiiiiiy
Andrew Jonathan Whiteley D11 Black’s next is careless, overlooking a
cunning ploy.
Cambridge vs. Oxford London (ENG), 1969
18...d7? Here Black has a last chance to
1.c4 c6 2.f3 d5 3.d4 f6 Andrew was an equalise with 18...f5 19.e2 d7 20.c1
enthusiastic devotee of the Slav defence to c8 21.e5 xe5 22.xc8+ xc8. Black
the queen’s gambit. In an earlier game I had might have feared to play 18...f5 because
tried to overwhelm him with violence, trying of 19.g4 h4+ 20.g3 when 20...g5 is
Bronstein’s: 4.c3 e6 5. g5 dxc4 6. e4 forced, but there is nothing to worry about
b5 7.e5 h6 8.h4 g5 9. exf6 gxh4 and now because 21.xe7 fails to ...c7+.
10.e5. However, Andrew weathered the storm
and clung on for a draw. I, therefore, decided to 19.xd6 xd6 20.c2 e5 There is no
vary with something much less forcing. choice. Otherwise White follows with c1,
dominates the only open file and penetrates
4.bd2 f5 5.g3 g6 6.g2 g7 7.0-0 Black’s camp with c7.
0-0 8.b3 bd7 9.b2 e4
XIIIIIIIIY 21.dxe5 xe5 22.d1 d8 23.xe5
9r+-wq-trk+0 xe5 24.d4 g7 25.d3 Already
White could reach the thematic endgame
9zpp+nzppvlp0 which is always likely to be the outcome,
9-+p+-+p+0 with 25.d2 c8 26.xd5 c2 27.xc2
xd5+ 28.e4 e5 29.f3.
9+-+p+l+-0
9-+PzPn+-+0 25...d6 Or 25... d7 26.b4 f5 (a
9+P+-+NzP-0 weakening Black would prefer to avoid)
27.c3 f7 28.a4 c7 29. b3 d7
9PvL-sNPzPLzP0 30.d3 with ongoing advantage. I was
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 well aware of the game Unzicker v
Petrosian, Varna Olympiad 1962, where
xiiiiiiiiy the coming world champion squeezed out

05/143
a win against the German Grandmaster’s Here the game was suspended and
isolated queen’s pawn. adjudicated by Bob Wade and Harry
Golombek, one an International Master,
26.b5 b6 27.a6 d7 28.d3 d6 the other Grandmaster Emeritus and both
29.h4 h5 30.d1 c6! OBE’s. Nowadays a faster play finish
XIIIIIIIIY would decide. I was at first looking at
attack by means of 44.e6 xe6 45.b8
9-+-+-+-+0 but after 45…f6 Black can run into the
9zp-+-+pmk-0 centre with his king and probably survive.
Best is 44.b5 e6 45.a7 xe5 46.xf7+
9-zpr+-+p+0 xf7 47.xe5+ h7 48.e3 reaching the
9+-+pwq-+p0 familiar Queen and pawn endgame, where
9-+-tR-+-zP0 White has an extra pawn, safer king and
prospects of manoeuvring his king towards
9+P+-zP-zP-0 the Black weakness on b6. After 44.b5
9P+-+-zPK+0 xb5 White wins at once with 45.d4
e6 (forced to block the advance e6) and
9+-+Q+-+-0 then 46.d8 penetrating to the back rank,
xiiiiiiiiy but now in decisive fashion.
Faced with the threat of e4, Black elects to
go for active counter play.
31.xd5 e4+ 32.f3 c2 33.e4 f6

Hardinge
34.e3 xa2 35.e5 Another method is
35.d7 c2 36.xa7 c5 37.d2 e5 Simpole
38.a4 d6 39.f4.
35...e6 36.d7 c2 37.xa7 c6+?
38.h2 d5 39.f4 c6 40.b4 g8

41.a8+ g7 42.a3 Faster is 42.b5 e6
43.a7 xe5 44.xf7+ xf7 45.xe5+
h7 46.e3 with an almost certain win in
the endgame.
42...g8 43.a8+ g7
1-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+pmk-0
9-zpr+-+p+0 is delighted to announce
9+-+qzP-+p0 the publication of
9-zP-+-wQ-zP0 Fifty Shades of Ray
9tR-+-+-zP-0 Chess in the year of the
9-+-+-zP-mK0 Coronavirus Pandemic
9+-+-+-+-0 Raymond D. Keene
xiiiiiiiiy
May 2023
Openings
for Amateurs
NIGHTMARES IN THE NAJDORF, PART V
THE POSITIONAL CRUSHBy Pete Tamburro; [email protected]

This game has special meaning to me. In Rohde, Kenneth Regan, Ron Henley and
1975, I got to witness it at the third World John Fedorowicz−all of which I wrote later
Open. It was an incredible tournament, full in the November Chess Life would become
of surprises, among them being a 19−year− grandmasters or at least IMs. Rohde won
old student from Darthmouth tying for first the 11-round Scandinavian Open and I tied
place with GM Pal Benko. His name was for first in the 9−round amateur tournament.
Alan Trefler, and he had a rating of 2045! It was memorable off the board, too, but
Another surprise was a fellow New Jersey that’s another story...
lad named Michael Rohde, who was all
of 15-years−old. He outplayed GM Walter This game, though, was a positional crush
Browne in this very line of the Najdorf we of Browne, who played the e5 response to
talked about last time. Rohde’s g3 line. His response, in fact, is
the most popular one today, but it illustrates
What makes it special is that a couple of the difficulties at even grandmaster level.
weeks later, Manhattan Chess Club manager GM Ruben Fine makes an embarrassing
and master Jeff Kastner and I chaperoned a guest appearance as well to support that
high school team to Scandinavia. It included idea. Whatever side you play, this is a game
Jonathan Tisdall, Mark Diesen, Michael worthy of study.

05/143
A) 7.e5
Michael A Rohde –
Walter Shawn Browne [B91] A1) 7...e4 8.e6 (or 8.xe4) 8...xc3
9.exf7+ xf7 10.bxc3 c6 11.g2 e5
Third World Open New York (8), 1975 12.xc6 bxc6 13.0-0 b8 14.c4 e6
15.e3;
1.e4 c5 2.f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.xd4 f6
5.c3 a6 6.g3 A2) 7...fd7 8.e6! f6 9.f4! fxe6 10.g2
XIIIIIIIIY c6 11.0-0 b6 12.xc6 xc6 (12...bxc6
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 13.a4 b7 14.e1 g6 15.c5+- a7
16.xe6 xe6 17.xe6 g7 18.xc6 0-0
9+p+-zppzpp0 19.c4);
9p+-zp-sn-+0
B) 7.exd5 xd5 8.de2 Yes, moving
9+-+-+-+-0 backward is OK here as the bishop is ready
9-+-sNP+-+0 to hop to g2 and Black would be ill−advised
9+-sN-+-zP-0 to play xc3 because of the loss of castling
privileges, an exposed king and a powerful
9PzPP+-zP-zP0 bishop on g2, but it may happen anyway!
9tR-vLQmKL+R0 8...e6 (8...xc3 9.xd8+ xd8 10.xc3
d7 11.g2 c6 12.xc6 xc6 13.e3
xiiiiiiiiy e6 14.0-0-0+ e8 15.e4) 9.g2 xc3
6...e5 The attempt to turn this into a Dragon 10.xd8+ xd8 11.xc3 c6 12.f4
system seems to go against the Dragon idea and after castling queenside, White has a
of getting d5 in: 6...g6 7.g2 g7 8.0-0 terrific initiative;
0-0 9.h3.
Najdorf lost to Fine at NY, 1949, with 6...
A) 9...c6 10.e3 d7 11.de2 (11.d5 b5 7.g2 b7 8.0-0 e6 9.e2 bd7 and
c8 12.e2 xd5 13.exd5 a5 14.d4 here Fine played 10.a3 "To stop b4 once
xd4 15.xd4 e6 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.b3 e5 and for all." The positional player par
18.e2 c6 19.c4 ) 11...c8 12.d5 excellence missed the tactic 10.xe6!! fxe6
xd5 13.exd5 e5 14.b3 g5 15.d4 g4 11.e5 xg2 12.exf6 xf6 13.xg2 e7
16.h4 f3+ 17.xf3 gxf3 18.xf3 c7 14.e1 c5 15.h4 h6 16.e3 b4 17.d1
19.c4 c8 20.e4 h3 21.fe1 e5 22.dxe6 0-0 18.xc5 dxc5 19.xe6+.
fxe6 23.h5 cf7 24.h6 f6 25.ad1 ;
7.de2 e7 8.g2 bd7 Playable is 8...
B) 9...d7 10.e3 c6 11.de2 c7 and b5 9.d5 bd7 10.ec3 b6 11.xf6+
now we have a Black position confined to xf6 where White has the slight edge
three ranks with no d5 in the immediate plans, of containing d5. The White bishop may
while White, with d2 is one move away want to go to e3 or even a3 for its best
from initiating action on the kingside. White dark square positioning.; More popular
can try taking advantage of b6 with 12.a4 now is 8...0-0 9.0-0 (9.a4 c6) 9...b5
(or getting a pawn on d5 and exposing the e7 (with 9...bd7 running a close second.)
pawn with 12.d5; or making a preparatory An interesting game, Kagan−Ree, from the
move before doing both of those moves with 1970 Siegen Olympiad went this way: 10.a4
12.c1; or even initiating the attack with b4 11.d5 xd5? (A little too concerned
12.f4; The engine loves 12.b3 , combining about exchanging the Be7 11...a5! because
with all the others mentioned.); if 12.xe7+ xe7 13.c3 c6 he will have
a knight able to take advantage of White
The immediate challenge with 6...d5 leaves playing cxb4 and a bishop with an option
White with two very good choices: to play a6.) 12.xd5 a7 13.e3 e6

May 2023
14.d2 b7 15.f4 c6 16.b3 g4 17.f2 13.e3! And this is the reason why b5 was
d7 18.af1 a5 19.f5 xe2 20.xe2 not so accurate. White, by getting the bishop
f6 21.h5 d8 22.g4 h6 23.h4 xh4 out, is now immediately able to connect the
24.f6 xf2+ 25.xf2 e8 26.g5 e6 major pieces, especially the rooks, to cause
27.h3 e8 28.gxh6 and Black Resigned positional problems along the a−file.
as after 28...xf6 29.xf6 gxf6 30.g4+
f8 31.h7 e7 32.xd7+ A fine lesson in 13...0-0 14.axb5 axb5 15.d3!
the kingside attacking possibilities of this XIIIIIIIIY
g3 line.
9r+-wq-trk+0
9.a4! b6 Black has to develop the bishop 9+l+nvlpzpp0
on b7.
9-+-zp-+-+0
10.0-0 Another good plan is 10.d5 b7 9+p+Pzp-+-0
(10...xd5 11.xd5 b8 12.c3 b7 9-+-+-+-+0
13.c4 c8 14.xc8+ xc8 15.e3 0-0
16.h3 ) 11.ec3. 9+-+QvL-zP-0
9-zPP+NzPLzP0
10...b7 11.d5!? More precise was
11.h3! c5 (11...0-0 12.g4 and White will 9tR-+-+RmK-0
have e3 and g3 and further pressure xiiiiiiiiy
along the d−file.) 12.g5 0-0 13.xf6 15...a6 Black never gets his positional
xf6 14.d5 c8 (14...xd5 15.xd5 wish of getting c5 in. Rohde anticipates
e7 16.fd1 ) 15.ec3 . this throughout. 15...c5 16.xc5 dxc5
17.d6!+-
11...xd5 12.exd5
XIIIIIIIIY 16.a3! He could also play 16.a2 , but
Rohde follows a decision−making process
9r+-wqk+-tr0 going back to at least Purdy. When placing
9+l+nvlpzpp0 rooks along a rank you should always
decide the best square for BOTH and then
9pzp-zp-+-+0 move accordingly, rather than just think
9+-+Pzp-+-0 about the one rook to a square and then
9P+-+-+-+0 have somebody say those immortal words,
"Wrong rook!" Do you see his plan? Stay
9+-+-+-zP-0 tuned!
9-zPP+NzPLzP0
16...c7 16...g5 17.xg5 xg5 18.b4 f5
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0 19.fa1+-
xiiiiiiiiy
12...b5? A choice of Sicilian "theme" 17.fa1 b7 18.b4 Deny squares.
moves were c7, c8, 0-0, and b5, but b5
in two moves? Browne’s first inaccuracy in 18...b6 19.xb6! A wonderful example
his defence. This game demonstrates how of liquidation! Rohde is heading toward the
a positional inaccuracy can lead to a very endgame. He can visualise the position after
uncomfortable game. the sequence and has correctly evaluated
that it’s time to give up a bishop for a
More combative were 12...0-0! 13.c4 c5 knight. He certainly doesn’t want the horse
14.a3 (14.b4 d7 15.e3 a5); at c4 any more than at c5. Look at Black’s
bishops! They are in sad shape. The knight
Another possibility was 12...c7!? was the only truly mobile piece Black had.

05/143
19...xb6 20.e3!! Perfect positional 23...f3 23...ac8 24.xa6 xa6

judgment! Can you see what happens if 25.xa6 f3 26.xf3 xf3 27.a8 ff8
Black exchanges? 28.8a5 b8 29.c3 and the knight is
far superior to the bishop who is bumping
20...b7 Browne is an elite GM. He sees into his own pawn and not able to defend
it: 20...xe3 21.fxe3 b7 22.xa8 xa8 his pawn on b5.; 23...xc6 24.dxc6 is not
23.xa8+ xa8 24.c3 f5 25.e4+- and really an option.
the pawn on b5 will soon join his friends
in the box. 24.xf3 ac8 25.xa6 At this point
there was a dazzling bit of tactical
21.1a2 The plan we talked about on fireworks available with 25.xa6! xc6
move 16 has arrived. The doubled rooks’ 26.dxc6 c8 27.d5+ h8 28.a8
pressure is there with the added bonus that xa8 29.xa8 xa8 30.c3 d8
c2 is protected. Black’s only counterplay 31.xb5 g6 32.c7 c8 33.cxd8+
is along the c−file, and now that is nipped xd8 34.a7 b8 35.b5 g7 36.c4
in the bud. f6 37.c6 b6 38.g2 f5 (38...
g5 39.f3 h5 40.e4 g4 41.b4 e7
21...f5 42.c6 e6 43.d5 b8 44.b6+-)
XIIIIIIIIY 39.e7+ f6 40.c8+-. However,
consider the circumstances. You’re
9r+-+-trk+0 beating a GM. Why get fancy? Make it
9+q+-vl-zpp0 simple and bask in the glow!
9l+-zp-+-+0 25...xa6 26.xa6 xf3 27.a8 ff8
9+p+Pzpp+-0 28.xc8 xc8
9-zP-+-+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
9tR-+-wQ-zP-0 9-+r+-+k+0
9R+P+NzPLzP0 9+-+-vl-zpp0
9+-+-+-mK-0 9-+-zp-+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+p+Pzp-+-0
Browne tries to complicate things with a 9-zP-+-+-+0
kingside demonstration, hopefully to shake
his non−titled opponent. 21...fc8 22.c1 9+-+-+-zP-0
c4 23.c3. 9R+P+NzP-zP0
22.c3! I love this move! Why would 9+-+-+-mK-0
White move his queen to a square where xiiiiiiiiy
it will be chased by a rook? Because he’s Forces are now greatly reduced. Black has
heading to a1 to form Alekhine’s Ram if no counterplay. Consolidate the position
Black does that! and win.
22...f4 22...fc8 23.a1+-. 29.c3 e4 30.a6 f7 31.b6 f6

32.xd6 xc3 33.c6! The simplicity
23.c6 We have reached the point in and effectiveness of this plan is a
the position when just about everything great lesson to play over. Black could
works as Black is lost. Yes, White could resign here.
have played 23.gxf4 exf4 24.f3; or even
23.a1 , but he’s really sticking this 33...xc6 34.dxc6 e5 35.d4 Adding
liquidation concept in Black’s face. insult to injury here.

May 2023
35...e7 36.xb5 b2 36...d8 37.f1 I hope you enjoyed this five part exploration
c8 38.e2 f6 39.e3 into the lesser travelled dark recesses of
the Najdorf.
37.f1 d8 38.e2 c1 39.d1 39.c3
b2 40.xe4 The big lesson is that you have to not
only treat them seriously, but you need
39...g5 40.c2 h5 We’re in 5.00 plus for to study the ideas − the thematic moves
White country here. Everything wins. The and plans that make up both sides of the
knight and pawn keeping the Black king on Najdorf. We’ve also learnt that knowing
the first rank is decisive. Yet he moves the thematic moves and properly timing
knight almost as a taunt because the king them are two different skills. Lastly, and
can’t go to c7 because of the forking check. the great bugaboo of all amateur players,
The devastation is complete. you don’t want to miss some tactical
opportunity that someone − or your chess
41.d6 e7 42.xe4 xb4 This really is engine − will point out to you after the
much ado about nothing. game is over. These were purposely not
the latest in theory because the games
43.b3 e1 44.c4 c7 45.d5 g6 are models for learning concepts, which
46.h3 b4 47.f4 e1 48.g4 hxg4 49.hxg4 will last you much longer than the latest
b4 50.f5 gxf5 51.gxf5 theoretical novelties, though you still
have to watch out for the occasional Jon
1-0 Edwards out there!
ACMchess.com
05/143
QUOTES AND QUERIES

THE MARCH
OF THE KINGS By Alan Smith
6230 Your columnist has been an avid 18.f2 e7 19.f1 c8 20.g4 hxg3
reader of other chess columns for over 21.hxg3 f5 22.e1 h4 23.g2
half a century. One intriguing one was xg3 24.xg3 h3 25.g1 h5 26.d1
Leonard Barden’s offering on "Korchnoi’s g8 27.c1 hf5 28.e4 xg3 29.xg3
King march Gambit." published in h5 30.b3 c6 31.b2 Completing his
the Guardian on 3rd October 1969. The escape.
column featured a game Korchnoi −
Plachetka Luhacovice 1969, a Czech 31...xf3 32.g5 h7 33.xe5 White has
Benoni where Korchnoi disdained castling the better position and the safer king.
and won a messy game in 31 moves. Here
are two entertaining king marches. 35...3f5 34.xd4 xg5 35.xg5 f5
36.g1 f2 37.e3 f6 38.g3 f5
White castled early on in the following 39.xf6 xf6 40.xa7 h6 41.g5 g6
game but found himself tied down. He duly 42.b8 f7 43.g2 h3 44.g3 h8
escaped by marching his king from g1 to 45.c3...
b2. Both players would go on to play in the
British Championship. 1−0
William Alfred Paley Hughes - Even opposite−coloured bishops could not

Hubert Ernest Price save this one.
Worcestershire - Staffordshire, Dudley 1903 Birmingham Daily Post, 31st January 1903
1.e4 e5 2.c4 f6 3.c3 xe4
4.xf7+ This goes nowhere fast, 4.h5 Your columnist has conducted a couple
d6 5.b3 is a wild line. of king marches. Here is the second of
those, played in round two after both
4...xf7 5.xe4 d5 6.g3 c6 7.d3 players had won in the first round.
c5 7...e7 is more flexible.
Eddie Dearing - Alan Smith
8.1e2 f6 8...f8 is better.
St Albans Open, 2004
9.0−0 g4 10.e3 d4 11.e4 g6
12.d2 e7 13.f3 h3 14.2g3 1.c4 f6 2.c3 e5 3.f3 c6 4.d3 b4
h5 15.e2 h4 16.h1 af8 17.a3 5.e4 d6 6.g3 0−0 7.g2 g4 8.h3 xf3
f6? This regrouping does not work out 9.xf3 d4 10.d1 a5 11.0−0 c6 I had
well, maybe Black should try 17...e8!? never faced this line, so when I looked it up
heading for c8 and then double rooks on after the game, I was pleased to find that all
the f−file. this had been played before.

May 2023
12.f4 12.e3 c5 13.h2 e6 14.d2 Victor Hextall Lovell - Arthur Mackenzie
e7 15.e2 xe3 16.xe3 c5 was Leicester - Birmingham 1930
Summerscale − Adams Lloyd’s Bank 1987.
1.d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 g7 4.e4 d6 5.f4
12...c5 13.h1 e8 14.f5 I am not sure e5?! This has a point or two, but 5...0−0 6.f3
about this. e5 is a better try Uber −Tylor BCF ch 1925.
14...f6 15.d2 c7 16.h4 b5 17.g4 h6 6.dxe5! Best. 6.fxe5 dxe5 7.dxe5? xd1+
18.c1 f7 Heading for a safer home. 8.xd1 g4 is what Black was angling for.
19.e1 b4 20.d1 b6 21.e3 a6 6...dxe5 7.xd8+ xd8 8.f3 8.fxe5 g4
22.f2 c5 23.f1 e7 24.d1 d7 9.g5+ e8 10.d5 also favours White, as
25.h2 h8 26.e1 c7 27.f2 b7 in a game Horowitz − Almgren USA ch 1944.
28.g2 a7 29.f1 a8 30.g3 His best
try is probably 30.xd4 exd4 when he can 8...exf4 9.xf4 h5 10.g5+ f6 10...f6.
choose between 31.e5 dxe5 32.xc6+ or
31.g3 d7 32.e2 e5 33.f4. 11.e3 c6 12.e2 e8 13.0−0−0+ c7
14.d4 Now Black faces two threats but
30...e8 31.h5 a6 32.d2 c5 only spotted one.
33.g1 f7 34.e3 c7 35.f1
b8 36.g3 g8 Reaching the time 14...f5 Preventing 15.g4 trapping his knight,
control. The rational approach in this but allowing something worse. 14...f8!
position is to repeat moves and offer a may just hold on.
draw, but rational thinking is not always
top of the agenda in weekend tournaments. 15.db5+ 15...cxb5 16.xb5+ c6
17.d6 #
37.g5 hxg5 38.hxg5 xh2+ 39.xh2
h8+! An irritating check. 1−0
40.h3 40.g1 allows 40...fxg5. Observer, 20th April 1930
40...fxg5 41.xg5 e8 42.g2 f6
43.d1 d5! 44.cxd5 cxd5 45.exd5 g8 Helmut Pfleger - Zadok Domnitz
46.h2 xd5 47.b3 a4 48.g2 f7
49.bxa4 xa2 50.xf6 gxf6 51.h5 This Tel Aviv Olympiad, 1964
attempted infiltration goes nowhere.
1.d4 f6 2.c4 g6 3.c3 g7 4.e4 d6
51...g8 52.h3 h7 53.g6 h8 5.e2 e5 This avoids the Averbakh
54.c1 54.g4 h4. Variation, but allows white an easy edge.
54...xh3+ 55.g2 h2+ 56.f1 h3+ 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.xd8+ xd8 8.f4 fd7 9.f3
57.e1 f3+ 58.d1 d2 # c6 10.0−0 exf4? Opening lines is going to help
the better−developed player. 10...e8 is better.
0−1
11.xf4 f6 12.ad1 e8 13.e5! A
temporary pawn sacrifice.
6233 Early queen exchanges often
involve the black king being caught in the 13...fxe5 14.g3 c5 Played to prevent 15.e4.
centre. This is not always bad, but black
still needs to take care, as the following 15.xe5 xe5 16.xe5 e6 17.b4 cd7
examples demonstrate. 18.f3 e7 19.g5 f8 20.xe6 xe6

05/143
21.g4 d7 22.de1 df8 23.e4 is superior, after which black should have
d8 24.c5+ d6 25.f6+ c7 26.e7 few problems.
b8 26...b6 27.d6! a5 28.xd8 Golombek.
7.e3 7.g3 c6 8.g2 e6 Ligterink −
27.xb7+! 27...xb7 28.a6#. Seirawan Lloyd’s Bank 1981.
1−0 7...c6 8.b3 e4? 9.d4 f5 9...c5 10.de2

leaves black’s position full of holes.
Liverpool Daily Post, 6th February 1965
10.a3 f6 11.0−0−0 c7?? Positionally
desirable, but tactics dictate otherwise.
Harry Schussler - Yasser Seirawan 11...e8 was mandatory.
Reykjavik, 1986 12.db5+! cxb5 13.xb5+ b6 13...c6

14.d6#.
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.c3 3.dxe5? dxe5
4.xd8+ xd8 and black is already better. 14.c5+ a5 14...a6 15.c7+ a5
16.d4 d7 17.a4+! xa4 18.b4#
3...g6 4.dxe5 4.f3 is more flexible.
15.d4!
4...dxe5 5.xd8+ xd8 6.f3 1−0
g7?! Transposing into a position he
had played before, but surely 6...f6! European, 10th May 1990
OBITUARY: :ă2'=,0,(5=6&+0,'7
A native of Poznan, one of fifty Polish
Grandmasters that stretch back to the
wanderings of Tartakower and Najdorf,
Wáodzimierz Schmidt (10th April 1943 - 1
May 2023), IM 1968, GM 1976, has died,
Source: pzszach.pl
only a few days shy of his eightieth birthday.
He was to win his national championship
14 times between 1971 and 1994!
At the 1974 Nice Olympiad he played a

massive 21 games all on top board in just
one of his 14 World Team Championship
appearances. In 2004 he became a FIDE
Senior Trainer.
6 … c5 7.dxc5 xc5 8.e5 d5 9.e4 e7
Włodzimierz Schmidt - Jan Przewoznik 10.c3 h6 11.a4 a5? 12.d2 bxa4 13.c4
b4 14.0-0 8c6 15.c3 Rc8 16.b1 0-0
St George, Polish Championship 1981 17.f6+! xf6 18.exf6 g6 19.xa4! h5
20.xb4 xb4 21.xb4 xf3 22.xf3
1.d4 b5 2.e4 b7 3.d3 a6 4.f3 f6 xf3 23.gxf3 and 1−0 in 43.
5.e2 e6 6.bd2 Przewoznik may have been
saving this newly christened contrivance to test Colleagues speak of a level−headed champion
his grandmaster colleague. We find no record and a superlative trainer. A picture emerges
that he played it again anywhere. 6.a4 was, of a formal gentleman, deeply respected.
of course, Karpov−Miles, Skara 1980, a game
known to both players at the time, no doubt. James Pratt

Problem
World
by Christopher Jones
[email protected]
Grandmaster of Chess Composition
Solutions are given on page 318
q-+Rz
tR-zp-t zpPzp-+-
z
zPkv s
v z
t vL-zP-zpnz
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Antonio Tarnawiecki and Leonid Lyubashevsky and
Kabe Moen (Peru / USA) Leonid Makaronez (Israel)
Mate in 2 Mate in 3
Original Original
m
sn-+-z
zp-+p
t
z
Evgeny Gavryliv (Ukraine) Ljubomir Ugren (Slovenia)
Helpmate in 3 (b)Nf1>h3 Helpmate in 8
Original Original
Apologies – in the April issue I labelled Kurt Keller’s problem “Helpmate in 4” when it
should have been ‘Helpstalemate in 4’. Apologies indeed to the composer and to readers.
05/143
Endgame Studies
by Ian Watson
[email protected]
s m
zp-+-v
z
z
m -v
K
No.1 No.2
Win win
v m
z v
sN-m m P+Ps
K
m
z z
No.3 No.4
win win

May 2023
Remembering the Classics
Four of the finest studies ever. I mainly put lesser−known or new studies in this column, so
it’s time for some balance−redressing.
These are classics, but do you remember them? Many of you will have seen these studies
before, but that doesn’t automatically mean you can recall the full solution, so solving
them will either test your solving skills or test your memory (or both). For the expert
aficionados, who can remember both, here’s a further challenge − can you remember: the
composers? the publications or tourneys they appeared in? and even remember the years?
Good luck with those...
I was reminded of these superb studies by reading a book by Werner Keym "Anything But
Average − chess classics and off−beat problems". It’s about many kinds of chess puzzles,
but its first chapters are dedicated to the most famous over−the−board games and the most
splendid studies. (It’s published by Nightrider Unlimited. The ISBN is 978−3−935586−16−0,
and if you Google that ISBN you’ll find the distributor’s website.) This month’s studies
are all in Werner’s book.
If these studies are new to you, you truly have a treat; if you know them, you have a
different but equal pleasure: wallowing in the nostalgia of the first times you saw them,
as I have been doing.
The answers are on page 319.

05/143
Solutions to Problems
This month’s problems
This month we have one light and one heavier problem in each of the genres we most usually
feature. You may quite quickly determine the only move to force mate next move in our starter
problem, but will have to work harder to see the ramifications of the interesting position co−
produced by our regular Israeli contributors. When we turn to the helpmate genre (in which Black,
playing first, does all he can to help White mate him) you may find the three−mover approachable,
while the typical concoction from our regular Slovenian contributor may either require some
cudgelling of the brain or the easier method of reading the solution and being impressed afresh by
the skill shown in producing long interesting solutions that pass the test of computer soundness!
A light but to that square - 1…e5 2.h4+ and now
quite substantial starter after either 2…xh4 or 2…f4 it’s 3.d3
(exploiting the half−pin - Black can’t play
In our first problem your eye may be drawn 3…xd3). In this last line, Black has two
to the bishop at d4. If it retreats down the other responses to 2.h4+, both of which
d4−a1 diagonal there is a threat of 2.d4. fail - 2…f4 3.h7 and 2…f4 3.xg2. As
But 1.a1 would be a mistake as it allows well as the interest in the half−pin and in the
a pinning defence 1…f2!. So the key is mates by different pieces on d3 and e6, it’s
1.b2!. Now there are some defences that striking that the moves Bxg2, Pd2>d3 and
show nice interference effects. The rook at Pd2>d4 all crop up in various lines both as
f6 and bishop at g3 can get in each other’s a second and as a third (mating) move.
way (in problem parlance a Grimshaw):
1…f4 2.xd6 and 1…f2 2.f1. A helpmate miniature
Another interference is 1…e5 2.d5
(similarly, 1…d5 2.xd5); and finally Evgeny’s helpmate (a ‘miniature’ as it has
note 1…xa5+ 2.xa5. less than eight pieces; also a ‘minimal’ in
that it has only one white piece aside from
A very substantial second course the king) has a feature that pleasantly recalls
his helpmate in the last issue: the black king
Well done if you solved this one. The eye− stands in solitary splendour - all the work of
catching key−move is 1.c1!, which has black occupation, or white guard, of the eight
the virtue of supplying the black king with squares around the king must be achieved
a flight square, e5. The threat is 2.d3+ and in the course of the six collaborative ‘half−
now either 2…xd3 3.f4 or 2…e5 moves’ constituting the solutions. It turns
3.b2 (a ‘switchback’). If Black defends out that the role of the black knight is to
with 1…d5 we have 2.d3+ e5 3.xd5. A determine whether the white queen starts
lot of interest surrounds the ‘half−pin’ on the by going to f1 (eliminating the guard on g3)
line h1−e4. If the f3 rook moves to say b3 or to h3 (eliminating the guard on f2) - a
then we have 2.xg2+ after which there is very clever mechanism. So we have the (a)
2…f3 3.e3 and 2…e5 3.d4. If 1…f4 solution 1.e5 xf1 2.d5+ g3 3.e6
(guarding against 3.d4) then instead it’s f4 and the (b) solution (showing a one−
2.xg2+ e5 3.d3. Well, what if Black move−further−on procession down the g8−c4
exploits that flight square ceded by the key diagonal) 1.d4 xh3 2.c4 f2 3.d5
move? The answer is the line 1…e5 2.d4+ e3 - a mating configuration that echoes the
e4 3.e6. A different mate on e6 is seen mate in part (a). And note that both mates are
after 1…xa3 - 2.xe7+ e6 3.xe6. And ideal mates - each square around the black
as well as the above line that ended in 3.d3 king is accounted for either by one white
there’s one that ends with the pawn going guard on it or by occupation by a black unit.

May 2023
(See page 315)

A solving challenge (or just read on in the solution, on move seven), one
on for the solution!) of the black rooks would have landed up
at b8? And, of course, there is intricate
Another magnum opus from Ljubomir! − needlework as the white bishop (like
typically resourceful play is featured. On Evgeny’s problem, this is a minimal) and
first inspection of the diagram who would white king thread their ways through to d7
surmise that in the final mate position, and e7 respectively - 1.f3 h2 2.f4 h3
with the black king at c8 (to which the 3.a5 xg4 4.g5 e8 5.a8 f5 6.g6+
logistics determine he can only move late f6 7.c8 e7 8.b8 d7.
Solutions to Endgames (See page 316)

No.1 By Leonid Kubbel No.3 By Abram Gurvich
published in Shakhmatny Listok in 1922 and Genrikh Kasparyan
All Union Physical Culture & Sport, 1955
1.c6 xc6 2.f6 d5 3.d3 a2 4.c4+
c5 5.b7 a1 6.e7 mate. 3.d3 is 1.d4+ d5 2.e2 h2 3.a1 f1+
nearly impossible to foresee, or even to see 4.xf1 xd4 5.g4 g3+ 6.g2 h1+
when you get to move three. 7.xg3 and wins because the queen is,
astonishingly, dominated.
No.2 By Vladimir Korolkov
published in Lelo in 1951 1.xf2? xf2 2.gxh3 xh3 3.xh6 d5
4.f3 e5 5.g3 g1 6.f2 h3+.
However, you can have all the points if, 4.xf1? g3+. 5.a4+? e5 6.h4 g3+
instead, you gave the composer as John 7.f2 h1 8.xh1 xh1+ 9.f3 h5.
Selman, the publication as Tijdschrift v.d.
KNSB, and the year as 1949. That’s because No.4 By Leopold Mitrofanov
Selman composed a very similar position, Rustaveli Memorial Tourney, 1967
with a very similar solution, so arguably
has priority. However, that 1967 setting was found to
be incorrect and the diagram position is
1.f7 a6+ 2.a3 xa3+ 3.b2 a2+ a corrected version that was published in
4.c1 a1+ 5.d2 a2+ 6.e3 a3+ Vecherny Leningrad in 1971. Multiple bonus
7.f4 a4+ 8.g5 g4+ 9.h6 g8 points if you knew all that!
10.e7 e6 11.fxg8+ xg8 12.g6
mate. Magically. 1.b6+ a8 2.e1 xe1 3.g7 h1 4.g8+
b8 5.a7 c6+ 6.dxc6 xh5+ 7.g5
1...f6 2.b2; 1...g8 2.fxg8+ xg8 xg5+ 8.a6 xa7 9.c7 a5+ 10.xa5
3.e7+. 2.b1? xf5+; 2.b2? f6. b7 11.bxa7 wins.
From move three, White’s king steps along
the Black squares to avoid bishop checks. 1...Kb8 would block the b8 square that
4.c3? c2+ 5.d4 d2+ 6.~ d8 Black’s bishop needs on move four. 2.g7?
or in this line 5.b4 b2+ 6.c5 c2+ h1 3.g8+ b8 4.a7 a1+. 7.a6?
7.b6 b2+ 8.c7 b7+ 9.xg4? e2+. 8...a5+ 9.xa5 xa7 10.c7.
xf5+; 9.h5/f6? g8.
Such a queen sacrifice to deflect a queen
has become known as "Mitrofanov’s move".
One writer also called it "A move from
another world."

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Volume 143

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NEPO-DING MATCH:

Chairman Shaun Taulbut

Editors CHIEF ARBITER

&RPSDQ\/LPLWHGE\6KDUHV 307 Openings for Amateurs

258 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 259

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE MATCH AND THE 18 GAMES

DING THE SEVENTEENTH

260 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

Many experts, yours truly included, XIIIIIIIIY

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 261

11...g4 Black continues with development. White’s aggressive attempts.) 16...xg7

12...d7 Black managed to finish 17.f3 f6 18.h3 h6 Both players play

262 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

25.d2 c6?! 30...e6 31.f4 31.c3 prevents ...d4 and

27...b5 28.b8 h7 29.d6? 40.g3

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 263

44.e6+ xe6 45.xc6 d7 46.d4 4.h3!?

264 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 265

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 267

(2751)−Kramnik,V (2811) Zuerich Chess A subtle move. It is generally useful, to

268 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

12...h5 13.xe7 xe7 14.ae1 f8 18...d8! A sign of ambition.

18.b5 A bit too safe. 21.xd7?! Allowing Black to show his

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 269

22.xd5? b6 loses a piece. GAME 4:

270 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

8.e2 The alternative is to develop 12...b6?! is premature as it weakens the

8...e8 9.0-0 f5 looks a bit premature as 13.c5 is a promising pawn sacrifice,

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 271

XIIIIIIIIY 25.ae1 f5?!

The losing mistake. 40...g7 41.f1 h6 42.d1 Threatening

39.xe8 xe8 40.e6 The pawn on e7

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 273

Game 5: h7 is also good for Black.) 15.f5

274 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

XIIIIIIIIY 19...d8 the typical idea to transfer the

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 275

31...b8 32.e2! A very good prophylactic

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 277

but it invites unnecessary complications. of surprise would compensate for the

278 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 279

280 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

33.h2 Now Ding wraps up the game 1-0

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 281

Equally dominating victory for Ding, Nepomniachtchi,I (2632)−Ding,L (2530)

282 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 283

284 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

22.c3 xf4! 28...d6! Already creating threats like

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 285

33.e2 And now, in a state of shock, Ding Game 8:

286 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

to swing to the centre or kingside. The

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 287

and the piece should be worth more than the 22.g5

288 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

12...d7 Black managed to finish 17.f3 f6 18.h3 h6 Both players play

25.d2 c6?! 30...e6 31.f4 31.c3 prevents ...d4 and

27...b5 28.b8 h7 29.d6? 40.g3

12...h5 13.xe7 xe7 14.ae1 f8 18...d8! A sign of ambition.

The losing mistake. 40...g7 41.f1 h6 42.d1 Threatening

39.xe8 xe8 40.e6 The pawn on e7

Game 5: h7 is also good for Black.) 15.f5

33.h2 Now Ding wraps up the game 1-0

22.c3 xf4! 28...d6! Already creating threats like

37.xb6! was also possible. 37...xd7

40.xb6 xd7 41.b8 d6 42.xd6

Game 9: 11.b3 xd1 12.xd1 b6 13.c4

31.xd5 e4+ 32.f3 c2 33.e4 f6

35...e6 36.d7 c2 37.xa7 c6+?

38.h2 d5 39.f4 c6 40.b4 g8

42...g8 43.a8+ g7

19...xb6 20.e3!! Perfect positional 23...f3 23...ac8 24.xa6 xa6

22...f4 22...fc8 23.a1+-. 29.c3 e4 30.a6 f7 31.b6 f6

Reykjavik, 1986 12.db5+! cxb5 13.xb5+ b6 13...c6