After 13 played games at the World Chess Championship Match 2023 between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren, the result is tied 6.5-6.5. New World Chess Champion will be determined in the last classical game of the match or in the playoffs.
Ian Nepomniachtchi had a full-point lead before the last two-game portions. Ding Liren once again bounced back and equalized the score after winning the game 12 with white pieces. It was a roller-coaster chess game with repeated chances on both sides. Nepomniachtchi was the last one to make the mistake, and it was a bad blunder in the 34th move which Ding Liren used to score a win. Nepo resigned only a few moves later.
The 13th game took place yesterday with Nepo having white pieces. It was Ding Liren who dictated the pace of the game, leaving the opening with a clear advantage. However, the Chinese grandmaster did not manage to keep the better position, and Nepomniachtchi turned the tables starting to play for a win. White was pressing, but neither side gave way. Just after three hours of play and 39 moves, the game ended in a draw.
The last classical game of the match will be played tomorrow as the players have a free day today. If the game finishes in a draw, the World Chess Champion 2023 will be determined in the playoffs. The playoffs will start with a 4-game rapid match (time control 25 minutes + 10 seconds increment). If the result is tied, two blitz games with time control 5 minutes + 3 seconds increment will be played. If the result is tied, a single game with time control 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment will follow. If this game finishes in a draw, the players will play another game with the same time control, and so on until one game finishes with a decisive result.
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Photos by: Stev Bonhage and Anna Shtourman
