The Vice-President of the Russian Chess Federation, Sergey Smagin, shared his assessment of how Ding Liren’s approach in the world championship match against Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi shaped the dynamics of the contest. Smagin observed that the decisive factor was not simply pressure, but the fact that Liren did not anticipate the openings in recent games as consistently as one might expect. He noted that Liren allows Yang to steer the game toward concrete, tangible lines, and that this trait plays to the strengths of Chinese players who excel when concrete calculation comes into play. Smagin described one particular game as unusually tangled, with a dense exchange of pieces and a volatile balance where either side could misstep. In that setting, the Chinese challenger ultimately prevailed, underscoring the kind of relentless, friction-filled positions that test even the strongest players. The strategist in Smagin’s view is clear: there is great value in maintaining the momentum and creating pressure from the outset, while constantly evaluating where the danger could emerge and how the opponent might defend. He emphasized that for the coaching team, the question of what to offer on the next move requires rigorous analysis and careful forecasting of the opponent’s potential responses. The upcoming rest day, he explained, is a period of intense preparation for Jan Nepomniachtchi’s team, a sprint of work aimed at identifying the precise angles of attack and the most threatening lines from which danger could arise. The Chinese player, Smagin argued, has little room to retreat and the scenario becomes especially perilous if white pieces come into play in the majority of the remaining games, making the execution of optimal decisions during those days pivotal. .
After eleven games, Nepomniachtchi leads with a score of 6 to 5. The recent quartet of games has all ended in draws, highlighting how evenly matched the field remains as the match progresses. With three games still on the slate, the players keep the tension high, and a potential tie-break scenario looms if the overall score reaches a draw, adding an extra layer of drama to the championship roadmap. The unfolding sequence has kept fans and analysts attentive to every shift in momentum, since each game carries the potential to redefine the psychological balance between the contenders. In this environment, every move becomes a test of preparation, stamina, and strategic clarity, with both sides weighing risk against reward as they navigate the complex terrain of high-stakes competition. .
Earlier coverage noted that Ding Liren presented a revised concept for adjusting the championship format as the world title match approached, signaling flexibility in tactics at the highest level and signaling that both players and organizers remain open to strategic adaptations to preserve competitive balance through the decisive phase of the event. .