2023 World Chess Championship: Game 11
2023 World Chess ChampionshipAstana, Kazakhstan (April 7th-May 1st) 
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2023 World Chess Championship: Game 11
Monday, 24 April 2023
The World Chess Championship just moved to the final phase after yet another drawn game in Game 11. This one was without much fireworks and Ian Nepomniachtchi maintains his one-point lead in a match for the ages. After the fourth draw in a row, this is not what is needed, but when asked if he felt it was time to play a sharper opening like the Sicilian, Ding Liren balked at the notion. With only four games left, that time may be approaching.
Ding Liren: “I think it’s too early to play something like the Sicilian. Still, there are three games ahead. In the Candidates, I won in the last game, so, anything can happen in the last three rounds.” #NepoDing
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 24, 2023
?: David Llada pic.twitter.com/jjq3Zh6KN9
This game did not have much content, but the official website gave this brief synopsis:
In the Anti-Marshall line of the Ruy Lopez, Ian Nepomniachtchi, playing as White, deviated from the c3-line he played before in the match and went for 8.a3, the move he tested against Ding at the 2020 Candidates and Carlsen in the 2021 title match. As the game developed, White managed to gain slightly more initiative and a more comfortable position on the board.
After the somewhat premature move 15…c4 by Ding, opening some weaknesses, White had a chance to maintain tension and put more pressure on Black. Nepomniachtchi instead opted to simplify the position. After a series of exchanges on the board, the two entered a drawn rook endgame.
So that was the game in a nutshell. The Russian continues to plod on, but with three games left, he will face a fierce challenge from Ding. Can his nerves hold up? This match has been a wild ride, but it begs the question…
Fourth draw in a row in #NepoDing as tension builds. Nepo holds on to one-point lead in #WorldChessChampionship. Will Ding equalize with three games left? Will this 7-7 match (6 or 7 decisive games) be preferable than a 7-7 match with 14 perfectly-played draws? @thechessdrum pic.twitter.com/upURvEGuNE
— Daaim Shabazz (@thechessdrum) April 24, 2023
Analysis by IM Robert Ris (ChessBase)
Game 11 – Full Broadcast
Video by FIDE
Press Conference – Game 11
Videos by FIDE Chess
PowerPlay Chess
Video by GM Daniel King