New Delhi: Game 3 of the FIDE World Chess Championship ended in a draw, but it was an interesting game for many reasons. Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren followed a rapid game between Ding and Anish Giri till move 16 and the Chinese grandmaster spent more of his time at the table rather than the rest area. While it was a draw, Ding seemed to have his confidence back after the loss.
Nepo had the white pieces and opened with d4 and they played another game in the Queen’s Gambit Declined with the exchange variation this time. Following his game with Anish, Ding went 12…Nh5 and they exchanged the dark square bishops. The Russian grandmaster had a comfortable opening with his bishop placed at d3 and queen on c2, eyeing the h7 square.
Nepo played 16.f3 which creates some weaknesses and ideas along the diagonal targetting the white king. He deviated from the earlier game on move 17 as he placed Nc1 to e2 while Anish here went Qf2.
How today’s draw played out with Nepo maintaining his 1 point lead against Ding. #NepoDing pic.twitter.com/yb3Jybplcq
— Chess.com (@chesscom) April 12, 2023
Ding gained some initiative as they exchanged the other pair of bishops on the d7 square. He placed his queen on c5 and knight on c4, hitting at the white’s queen, and while the position was equal, if anyone had a slight edge, it was black.
They ended the game in 30 moves with a threefold repetition and the score stands 2-1 in favour of Nepo after three games.
Ding Liren: My friends helped me to deal with my emotional problems. Now I feel more comfortable on the stage.” #NepoDing pic.twitter.com/8DkUTPUMMT
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 12, 2023
Ding Liren not only spent more time on board, but he also looked confident and played quickly, not having much time difference as compared to his opponent. After the game, he mentioned that his friends helped him to cope with his emotional problems and he feels fine now. About the game, he said that somewhere he was playing for a win, but could not find a way.
Nepo said that he knew there was a game similar to the one they played. He added that QGD is a solid opening and it is hard to disrupt equality.
