lichess.org
Donate
0Ding, Liren
12345678abcdefgh
1Nepomniachtchi, Ian
SF 16 · 7MBNNUE
in local browser
Before going into the game, We must remember that psychologically, Ding had the advantage after a horrible blunder from Ian in Game 4.

Fortunately, Ian got a rest day to recover after his loss. It was pretty much clear he would go for 1. e4, the reason being that he posed problems in Game 1 and did not achieve anything with 1.d4 in game 3.

Another important point to be noted is that Ian's team, after knowing Richard Rapport is helping Ding, might have thought Ian should play 1.d4 while they will be finding ideas in all the surprise variations Richard could suggest to Ding.1e4e52Nf3Nc63Bb5a64Ba4Nf65O-OBe76d3...In Game 1, Ian chose 6.Bxc6 and soon got a pleasant advantage. However, playing it a second time won't have the same effect as Ding's team will be prepared for this. White threatens to take on c6 with the Bishop and capture the e5 pawn.6.Re1We can only assume where Ding intended to go after this. My guess would be the Marshal attack.b57.Bb3O-OWe might see this in the later part of the match. It largely depends on what will be the score in the match.6...b57Bb3d6Now that the d6 pawn protects the pawn on e5, Black intends to go Na5 and capture the Bishop on b3. Who doesn't like to have the advantage of the bishop pair?!7...O-O!?While 7...d6 is the most played move in this variation, 7...0-0 is equally interesting. Black keeps the option of
bringing the dark square Bishop to c5 before playing d6. Another idea for Black is that, at times they can push the pawn directly to d5 without spending a move on playing d6.8c3...Apart from this move, White also played 8.a4, 8.a3. All three moves are equally popular, and each has a different way of developing pieces. I don't rule out the possibility of Ian playing either 8.a3 or 8.a4 in the later part of the match. The main purpose of 8. c3 is to create a window (c2 square) for the light square Bishop if Black were to play Na5. it is also useful when he is planning to go d4 in the future.8.a4!?8.a3!?8...O-O9h3...White also has the option to play 9.Re1 or 9.Nbd2. 9.Re1 is the popular choice with many top-level games. 9.h3
has the main idea to prevent Black's light square Bishop from coming to g4, thereby pinning the Knight on f3.9.Re1!?9.Nbd2!?9...Bb79...Na5!?is the most played move in
this position.10.Bc2c511.d4White could reach this position with 6. Re1 without wasting a move on d3. In such cases, it allows various other options for Black. So it is perceived that this is a clever move to avoid some forcing Marshal variations. So it is still debatable whether the rook is better placed on e1 or f1.10a4Na511Ba2c512Bg5...This is the first new move in the game. 12. Na3 has been played in the game between Firouzja vs Giri in Miami 2022.12...h6This natural move was played after 13 minutes of thought.
At this point, we can conclude that Ian wins the opening battle.12...d5!?an interesting idea for Black in the spirit of the Marshal attack. It is important to understand the psychological effect of Ian blitzing out all his moves must have affected Ding greatly. We can only contemplate that Ding has spent some time on this move but rejected fearing falling into Ian's
preparation.13.Nxe513.Bxf6Bxf614.Bxd5Bxd515.exd5Qxd5Doesn't yield much for white either.dxe414.dxe414...c4!A nice move restricting the activity of the bishop a2, which participates in attacking the f7 pawn along with the Knight on e5. Yes, Black is a pawn down. But Black's piece coordination fully compensates the pawn.15.Qxd8Rfxd8=∞We don't have to worry about the f7 as the Bishop on a2 is closed.14...Bxe4?Immediate capture of the pawn leads to a passive position.15.Qxd814...Nxe4?Capturing with the Knight doesn't help either.15.Qxd8Bxd816.Bxd8Raxd817.axb5axb518.Bxf7+Rxf719.Nxf7Kxf720.Rxa5Once again, white, with the help of a simple tactic, won an exchange and pawn.13Bxf6Bxf614axb5axb515Nbd2Nc616Bd5...So far, both the players have played naturally developing moves. Now that the a-file is open, Black wants to control the a-file. Whereas White would aim to bring the Knight to e3 to take control of d5 square, which is huge and the main weakness in Black's camp.16...Rxa117Qxa1Qd718Re1...White is not interested in contesting for the file. Instead, he is going to reroute the Knight on d2-f1-e3-d5 or f5. This is a typical idea in the Spanish Opening. While the general principle is of occupying the open files first, it has an exception of taking control of opponents' weak squares!18...Ra819Qd1Bd8This move was played after 7-minute thought, which is puzzling to me. Black has a clear plan of bringing the Bishop to b6 and activating it by playing c4. The question is, does Black have so much time to execute?19...Ne7Engine suggests many moves. But I like this move as Black challenges the monstrous Bishop on d5. As the
White Knight needs some time to reach the d5 square, the Black can push the pawn on d6 and eliminate the weakness.20.Bxb7Qxb721.Nf1d522.Ne3Rd8∞While the position appears pleasant for White, I think it is quite playable for Black. Most importantly, moves are not too hard to find with more space.20Nf1Ne721Bxb7Qxb722Ne3Bb6pushing the d6 pawn to d5 won't be easy since the Bishop moved from f6.23h4...An excellent idea by Ian. White is aiming to push the h pawn to h5 followed by Nh4-f5 and create a deadly attack on Black's king.23...Qc623...c4Black would have liked to play this move. In the following forced variation, Black will lose a pawn.24.dxc4Bxe325.Rxe3bxc426.Qxd6+−Black cannot capture the white pawn on b2 as the Knight on e7 is hanging.24h5c425d4...25.dxc4Bxe326.Rxe3bxc4Is fine for Black as the pawn on d6 is protected by the queen on c6.25...exd426Nxd4...26.cxd4Doesn't give much as it leaves Black with a queenside majority.Qd726...Qc526...Qb7!Ding could have kept the Queen on b7 as it keeps an eye on the e4 pawn. He can exchange his Bishop for the Knight after a move if needed.26...Bxd427.Qxd4White is planning to go Rd1. Therefore Black should act instantly by creating a counterattack.Ra228.Rb1The position remains tense. We can conclude that these are some of the positions which will eventually liquidate into theoretical drawish endgames. At the same time, it is not easy to reach there!27Qg4...27.Qf3!With the idea to play 28.e5 and luring Black to place his rook on e8.Re828.Qg4We have the same position except that the Rook is on e8Qe529.Qd7!With the Rook being on e8, this is a nice tempo for White.Rb830.g3!Subtle move. Making space for the Knight on e3 to pull back if Black were to capture
the e4 pawn.30...Bc531.Qc730...Bxd4?31.cxd4Qf631...Qxe432.Ng2+−32.d5+−The Knight on e7 is controlled nicely by h5 and d5 pawns. White is better here thanks to the active Queen and more space.27...Qe528Nf3...28.Qd7As White's pawn is on g2, Black can now capture the pawn on e4.Bxd429.cxd4Qxe430.f3Qe628...Qe629Nf5Nxf5Although this move is by no means losing or even leading to a worse position, the idea related to this move is leading to a passive position.29...Qf6I failed to understand why Black did not go for this simple move. By playing Qf6, we do not open the e-file for the white Rook.30.Nxe7+Qxe730exf5Qf630...Qd7!It was important to keep the option of pushing the d6 pawn to d5. Also, the Queen on d7 protects the b5 in some cases.31.Qf4Stepping away from the pin and threatening to play f6.31.Qe4is not powerful as black can play d5.d532.Qe7Qxe733.Rxe7b4∞Black has solved all the problems.Qd832.g3d531Qe4!...Ian immediately takes control of the d5 square.31...Rb832Re2...Another nice move. protecting both f2 and b2 pawns.32...Bc5Intending to play b433g4!!...Not only is White planning to launch an attack on the Black King, but he is also stopping Black from playing b4.33...Qd833...b434.Qxc4bxc335.bxc3±If the pawn were on g4, the pawn on f5 would be captured by the queen on f6.34Qd5Kf8?!Black would like to get rid of the Queen on d5 by offering a trade with Qd7-b7. White has several ways to gain an advantage after 34...Qd7. I offer a fun tactic: winning for White.34...Qd7?35.Kf1Qb7??35...Qa7is the way to go for Black.36.Re8+Kh736...Rxe837.Qxb7+−37.g5Qxd538.g6+fxg639.fxg6#Isn't it
cool mate !?35Kf1...This is by no means a waiting move. White is moving
away from any possible checks on g4. At the same time, preparing g5.35...Rc8This is the last mistake. After this move, there is no way Black could have saved this game. Here onwards, Ian converts flawlessly.35...Qc8Only move that saves the day for Black. It is scary to allow f6, but the engine is quite cool about it. Ding was quite low on time at this point.36.f6gxf637.Qe4Kg838.Nh436Re4!Rb837g5!!...Ian finds this nice tactic at once.37...hxg538Rg4Ra8I am assuming that only here Ding figured that he could not protect the pawn on g5 by playing f6 due to the variation mentioned below.38...f6?39.Nh4!!gxh440.h6!!gxh641.Qg8+Ke742.Rg7#39Nxg5Ra1+40Ke2...40.Kg2!?This is also winning. In the following variation, we will see the Knight dominates the Bishop. There are several ways to win, and Ian chose the best.Qa841.Qxa8+Rxa842.f6gxf643.Nh7+Ke744.Re4+Kd745.Nxf6+Kc646.Re8Rxe847.Nxe8+−40...Qe7+41Ne4Qe842Kf3Qa843Qxa8+Rxa844f6g644...gxf645.Nxf6Ke746.Ng8++−45hxg6fxg646Rxg6Ra247Kg4Rxb248Rh6...Here Ding resigned. There is nothing to play for as White intends to play Ng5 followed by Rh8#.
Annotation by GM Harikrishna Pentala (2704)

The World Championship Match Nepomniachtchi - Ding: Game 5: Nepomniachtchi, Ian - Ding, Liren1208

WhiteNepomniachtchi, Ian
BlackDing, Liren
Date2023.04.15
Result1-0
Sitehttps://lichess.org/study/QQO3VI7X/zXaNbbVH
EventChess World Championship 2023: Game 5 Nepomniachtchi Ian - Ding Liren
Annotatorhttps://lichess.org/@/Harikrishnapentala
  1. AaronMathiasDragoi Go Ding
  2. antonio3243 w ding
  3. SABBJosiahGresseau go nepo
  4. Showbiz_10 im lazy to count, how's the match points are going?
  5. rohani02 was timed out 15 minutes for inappropriate behavior; see lichess.org/page/chat-etiquette.
  6. skrish2 idc
  7. ShadowNinjaXXXX ian up 1
  8. easterrrr where is game 12?
  9. avi_c ding won game12
  10. avi_c easterrrrr it must not be uploaded
  11. Jaysurya05 where is game 12
  12. Mahapasupatastra hi
  13. Mahapasupatastra #12
  14. davidmola hi
  15. Panda17022010 hi
  16. hOlYsPrIt_21 hi
  17. TojoT #12
  18. Speyerjames hi
  19. Grafgg hi
  20. kurmadaksh hhihihihihihihi
  21. la_biquette2011 ha ha
  22. DrewJZ where is number 12
  23. DrewJZ i have to see ding's wins
  24. BeautifulChaos 你好
  25. balouiz LJG
  26. Xulaces404 yooooooooooooooo
  27. SHAHID_NIKZAY yyfgftf
  28. ToxicEgo357 crap
  29. Aydenli286 ni hao
  30. Aydenli286 Go Ding Liren. Booooo Ian Nepomniachtchi
  31. CLOUDY11 whats the score right now
  32. DrewJZ 6.5-6.5
  33. CLOUDY11 i think ding will take it if he keep composure
  34. DrewJZ whoever wins game 14 wins the match
  35. DrewJZ I think Ding has higher chances because he will play white last round
  36. CLOUDY11 damnn this wc match is epic
  37. CLOUDY11 yh i think nepo need soemthing special or ding will winn it
  38. DrewJZ if not then probably a draw
  39. CLOUDY11 yh
  40. hofersimon hey
  41. hughlin Last game is the toughest one.
  42. Genios222011 quien es el campeon mundial 2023
  43. Genios222011 el remplazo de calrsen
  44. strawberry2011 honestly, lichess has a lot to say xD
  45. erenalp999 draw
  46. SABBJosiahGresseau NEPO
  47. SABBJosiahGresseau WIN
  48. SABBJosiahGresseau DING
  49. SABBJosiahGresseau LOSE
  50. SABBJosiahGresseau NEPO
  51. SABBJosiahGresseau VS
  52. SABBJosiahGresseau magnus
  53. SABBJosiahGresseau carslem
  54. hanqixiang sdeqewrerqw3q3a3eewded
  55. hanqixiang dw
  56. Ivan_Meshtrovich Ян лучший
  57. Alexander_0402 да
  58. TimoteS2020 Nepomniachtchi, Ian лучший!
  59. Rayyan-2022 Rayyan-2022
  60. ferdamravenec2010 wr sdf s syfsg ̈
  61. ferdamravenec2010 ad ad
  62. ferdamravenec2010 a d
  63. ferdamravenec2010 a
  64. dshah2032 what is the score
  65. Anon581 7-7 after game 14
  66. Anon581 tie break rapid tomorrow
  67. uygartaskin @Anon581
  68. DeNiS0612 hi all guys
  69. EllenPeng Hi
  70. Theshinegrass What will be tomorrow?
  71. irkz tiebreaks are tomorrow
  72. road1700 heloo
  73. road1700 guys
  74. tnscory Half of these games are a draw
  75. Alx-wxxer Hello how to find a merged ding preparation?
  76. Alx-wxxer ?
  77. AdhirajGM2025 Idk
  78. Innovate_rise What will the time control be of tiebreak
  79. Innovate_rise Anyone?
  80. fast_and_furious777 25+10 for 2 games
  81. fast_and_furious777 5+2 for 2 games and 3+2 forever until a winner is decided
  82. duackooo what if they keep drawing
  83. duackooo could they go on for a year until the next championship
  84. Thomfelb No, theyll play a blitz game, and if drawed, the player with black pieces wins
  85. Rodion_2015 где? тай брек
  86. Muleskinner wheres the game on lichess
  87. JyotshnavTalukdar09 Ding won!
  88. Agneya420 gg ding!
  89. karasu4ek228 посуда
  90. ST4RSCR34M Missing game 14 and rapid tiebreaks
  91. william_chen lets go ding
  92. mymchessfrancis THEY drew the first tiebreak game
  93. Ryanzzz01 lets go ding liren
  94. Ryanzzz01 DING
  95. bostondragon Go ding!!
  96. AvyG let's go ding let's go
  97. AvyG ding liren
  98. tnscory Ding Liren
  99. Mmhghghh lets gooooooooooooo
  100. saidakbarchess Oh my god
  101. leopardstrike12 less go dinggggy\
  102. Remihan2014 Let's go Ian
  103. prodigyWilliam666 go
  104. yichen17 ding!
  105. DrKingeinStein Ding
  106. winstonfeng Ding!
  107. hacker1234567890 no
  108. swordige ding en iyisi no lan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  109. ChampionSumedh was timed out 15 minutes for spamming the chat; see lichess.org/page/chat-etiquette.
  110. Vsevolod_K_Ch was timed out 15 minutes for spamming the chat; see lichess.org/page/chat-etiquette.
  111. shivaansh18 was timed out 15 minutes for inappropriate behavior; see lichess.org/page/chat-etiquette.
  112. randomusername123abc slm
  113. Aswinkumarv Noice
  114. Sunshine2009 Ding chilling
  115. DrewJZ are the tiebreak games going to be included here?
  116. Yura_Mak Ян проиграл из-за грубой ошибки!!
  117. Addy2502 hu
  118. Vadim06042016 ЭХ
  119. OlegSokolovV Жалко яна!!!!!!!!!!
  120. anna_mochkova Выигрывает тот кто ошибается предпоследним.
  121. C0TT0NP1CK3R ding dong
  122. IziCheckmate ding chilling.
  123. Tiitus0 ding chilling ian criiiing
  124. Tiitus0 ding dong ching chong
  125. artem_pronoza яна жалко
  126. syrovecsavelii2010 всем привет
  127. Cybershredder200 What a game!!!
  128. sabbjason i wan''ted ding to win
  129. Agneya420 ding chilling
  130. piis31415926 ding is too good
  131. TheImposter362008 ding won!!
  132. Ronak_Veligeti lets goo ding is new world champ
  133. StepUltron Ding is the goat
  134. CologneTiger ian is doing what is best in: doing bad moves quite quickly
  135. UWJohnson noahs a student
  136. Intelly is ian a cyborg
  137. Intelly ?
  138. SaiPrajwalReddy Ding Won!
  139. TheProfKid Who is the world champion now?
  140. A--Game Last
  141. Curunol First time I've used this game view, very cool
  142. Karagialis why not include tiebreaks here
  143. SwApNeEl1 why are most of the games drawn
  144. SwApNeEl1 which game was that where black played 46...Rg6?
  145. lojam 4th tiebreak
  146. lojam lichess .org/study/jCs1wd0E/8QvKR1zU
  147. junyichu Hi
  148. sadegh_zadeh_khayati was timed out 15 minutes for spamming the chat; see lichess.org/page/chat-etiquette.
  149. SMALLRIVER2007 hello ding liren
  150. SMALLRIVER2007 ding liren win
  151. sargon_60 Hello
  152. davidchiz i cant belive i am meeting the person who made lichess
  153. pokemon_99 was timed out 15 minutes for spamming the chat; see lichess.org/page/chat-etiquette.
  154. rjnbriyfgb was timed out 15 minutes for spamming the chat; see lichess.org/page/chat-etiquette.