Ian Nepomniachtchi’s game six losses in the last two World Championship matches are very memorable. Carlsen – Nepomniachtchi Game Six from the 2021 World Championship Match remains one of the most amazing games I’ve ever watched and one of the greatest moments in FIDE World Championship history. However, the finale of Game Six of the 2023 World Championship Match between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi also garnered plenty of accolades from the upper echelon of chess aficionados for the complex continuation that forced Nepo’s resignation.
We join Liren – Nepomniachtchi, Game 6 from the 2023 World Championship Match after Nepo (black) played 42… Kh7.
A quick assessment of the position shows that Liren’s Rook and Queen are coordinated in a dangerous seventh rank battery and his Knight has the ability to become ideally placed on the g6 outpost. Black’s pawn has advanced to a2 but Ding’s rook on a7 makes promoting to a Queen now a fruitless endeavor for Nepomniachtchi. Black could potentially begin to manufacture trouble by playing Qf4+ but Ding Liren’s Queen on c7 is guarding against this possibility. More in depth analysis proves that white can force a checkmate in 10 moves or less!
Ding Liren plays 43. Ng6.
Ding Liren plays 44. Qf7! which threatens QxR setting up a forced Hook Mate with the remaining Rook and Knight.
Ian Nepomniachtchi resigns here as his position is hopeless and at best he can only survive for eight more moves.
The beautiful Mate in 10 from the feature position.