Magnus Carlsen is no longer World Chess Champion, and it’s a Chinese man who takes the crown for the first time in history. Ding Liren (30), a master of his nerves, won in the end against Ian Nepomniachtchi. The two men, who had been unable to make the difference in the classic games, battled right down to the last second in the tie-break played over four fast games. Nepo cracked under the pressure of the Chinese.
The fourth and final fast game of the tie-break, played in 25+10, reflected the spirit of this world championship. The two opponents went head to head and went through all kinds of emotions. After three very high-level games, with no errors on either side, which ended in logical draws, the fourth gave way to the irrational.
The stakes were so high that both the Russian and the Chinese made micro-mistakes. Theoretically more at ease in the fast game, Nepo was eventually overtaken by the nervousness that also characterizes him. Against him, Ding remained seemingly impassive, never giving in to panic even in the most complicated situations, and never hesitating to take risks to get out of positions that seemed hopeless.
With the greatest of calm, the Chinese finally cornered the Russian. Livid, the defeated Nepo stood up, saluted his opponent and left the room. Ding, in total disbelief, remained for several seconds without reacting, seemingly unaware of the significance of his feat. He became the 17th world champion, the first Chinese to do so, and China now holds both the men’s and women’s individual and men’s and women’s team world titles.
Beaten outright by Carlsen in 2021, Nepo is bound to harbor huge regrets after this defeat to Ding. The Russian had the opportunities to win, but was unable to take advantage of the Chinese’s failings in the classic games. Referring to the ” lottery In the “tie-breaker” games, he recognized the quality of his opponent, who made fewer mistakes. Nevertheless, after a match in which he was never behind in the score, this defeat is cruel and will no doubt be very difficult to digest.
