Liem Le
Slightly better
Donchenko
Liem Le
 
Donchenko
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
12
24 turns without comments
13

Good position for Donchenko in practical terms here, with his pieces on pretty good squares overall. His light-squared bishop also has a lot of potential to be very strong.

Rb1
13
16
7 turns without comments
17

In the end, Donchenko has gone for a nearly identical line with which Shankland drew his 2nd classical game against Daniil Dubov. Still, it's a little risky to play with the king so weak here from the Black side.

Bb2
17
20
7 turns without comments
21

a strange move

The tension is getting to both players. Liem Le decides to trade off queens. This basically gives Donchenko a free hand to play for a win, with his extra pawn. It's Liem Le basically saying that he wants to bail out and sget a draw here!

Qb4
21
26
11 turns without comments
27

This one's heading for a draw. Donchenko can't hang onto his extra pawn for long, but when Liem Le captures it he should be able to force the trade of rooks.

Rc7
27
28
2 turns without comments
28

Donchenko has found a way to keep the game alive a little longer, hanging on to his extra pawn. But it shouldn't make a difference as opposite colored bishops are very drawish.

Bd7
29
31
5 turns without comments
31

the first draw of the day!

A clean game from Donchenko, helping him to calm down after his defeat in the last crucial game, when he was so close to qualification. One more blitz game, then a final set of 2 blitz games, and if still tied at that point, then we'll go to armageddon!

Rd8