With the FIDE World Championship Match between Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju rapidly approaching, it seems fitting to feature some of the brilliant chess moves of these great players on Daily Chess Musings. For today’s Puzzle Worthy Position, I’ll start with a highlight from our current World Champion.
For anyone who doesn’t already know, Ding Liren is a distinguished Chinese chess grandmaster who currently holds the title of World Chess Champion. He is recognized as the highest-rated Chinese chess player to date and has achieved the prestigious title of Chinese Chess Champion on three separate occasions. Ding Liren is one of the most accomplished chess players of our time on the international stage becoming the number 1 ranked Blitz player in the world in 2016 with a 2875 rating, the top rated Rapid player in the world with a rating of 2830 in 2023 and, of course, defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi to become the FIDE World Chess Champion (also in 2023).
On September 8, 2017, Ding had the black pieces against GM Martin Kravtsiv in round 2 of the World Cup. After a long battle spanning well past 100 moves, GM Ding Liren finished the game in the most remarkable fashion.
What is Black’s best move (Martyn Kravtsiv vs Ding Liren, R2 World Cup in Tbilisi, 9/08/2017)?