World Chess Championship Match tied after 13 games

April 28, 2023

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.

Game 12; photo by: FIDE/Stev Bonhage

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.

Game 13; Photo by: FIDE/ Anna Shtourman

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.

Official website
Photos by: Stev Bonhage and Anna Shtourman

image_print