Ding
Artemiev
Ding
 
Artemiev
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
6
11 turns without comments
6

It is a queens gambit declined opening, by transposition from the slav defense

00:-17 Be7
7
14
16 turns without comments
15

an unexpected decision!

Ding Liren decides to part with his bishop for the opponent's knight. This being an open position, this decision might come to haunt him later.

-05:-44 Bxf6
15
22
15 turns without comments
23

White offers an exchange of queens

White looks at a long defense here, fighting against Black's bishop pair. The game seems to be going quite well for Artemiev so far, especially for a game with black pieces.

00:-31 Qd3
23
39
32 turns without comments
39

Ding Liren faces defeat in this bishop endgame!

Though forces are equal, we have a typical good bishop versus bad bishop endgame here, where Arteniev clearly has the upperhand.

05:42 Bd5
40
47
16 turns without comments
48

Black's advanced king guarantees him a win

Black has to create a zugzwang here, the typical measure to win bishop endgames. White's pawns fixed on the same color as the bishop are the problem here for Ding Liren.

01:42 Bb5
48
57
18 turns without comments
57

!!GREAT MOVE!!

The decisive moment! The white bishop has to decide between two diagonals here, which will mean doom for either of white's weak pawns.

09:24 Ke5

This is almost an even match-up!

The former world champion Ding Liren, as well as Artemiev, are known for their steady play. So, being an online rapid event, there is almost nothing to choose between these contestants. We can definitely look forward to a clash of concepts rather than tactics, and long games.