Black and White

Ian Alexandrovich Nepomniachtchi – 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén)
World Chess Championship 2023; match game 13; Astana, April 27, 2023
2r2bk1/1b2qpp1/p6p/3nr3/P1p1B3/5P1P/1P2NBP1/2RQ1RK1 w - - 6 24

Position after 23. ... Qd8-e7

Still reeling from yesterday’s débâcle, Nepomniachtchi had to struggle a lot to hold his own today, and probably at some point, 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) might have given him serious trouble. With only one game left, if nothing else, Chinese Grandmaster will rely on White, which, in his own words, may be an advantage and a disadvantage depending on Caïssa’s mood.
On his part, speaking with TASS, President of Chess Federation of Russia, Andrey Vasilievich Filatov, seemed to want to abandon all prudence: “Ian Alexandrovich decided to rest before the decisive game. We believe in his victory the day after tomorrow. I think the advantage is on our side. White is nothing compared to the psychological pressure and responsibility that will hang over 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén)”.
24. Qd4! f5 25. Bg3 Rxe4 26. fxe4 Qxe4 27. Qxe4 fxe4 28. Rfd1 Nb4 29. Rd7 Bc5+ 30. Kh2 Bc6 31. Rc7 Rxc7 32. Bxc7 Bd5 33. Nc3 Nd3 34. Rc2 Bc6 35. a5 Kf7 36. Re2 Nc1 37. Re1 Nd3 38. Re2 Nc1 39. Re1 Nd3 ½ : ½.

Yet, in the end, happiness may be all about how well one spends a day off. Photo: Anna Shtourman/FIDE.