World Chess Championship 2023

         Had the chance to watch the world chess championship today. Am oncall today, and had some time to watch in hospital

         After 14 games of classical matches which tied at 7 all, with each winning 3 games
        - look at the clutch of game 12 which Ding snatched victory from jaws of defeat

        Rapid games ensued, and with first 3 games ending in a draw, the 4th and final game was the spotlight before going into blitz. Ding started with a bold 4e thrust, and the refusing the 3 fold repetition with Rg6. Despite being down on the clock for most of the game, he managed to grind out a win while burning down Ian's clock as well. And in the end the queenside pawns prevailed

       First Chinese to be crowned world chess champion. The 17th World Champion

      What a pride!

Right after Ian pulled out his hand and resigned the game

Watching the live commentary from Chess.com youtube channel

Ding with his second, Richard Rapport

Moving to the press conference 

And Ding speaks quite good English, for chinese standards

- He played 30 classical games in a month in order to qualify for the candidates, because Karjakin was not allowed to play. 

- Finished 2nd in the candidates and only qualified for the world championship because Magnus Carlsen refused to defend his title. 

- Was down one point from the beginning of the match, managed to equalize a couple of times, almost lost in game 12 but then made a huge comeback and won that game equalizing the match again. 

- Went to the tie breaks and won his first game against Nepo with the black pieces in the last game of the rapid section. 

- And finally became the first Chinese world champion

Congratulations Ding!!!