Round 5 sees Awonder Liang take on Nihal Sarin.
Liang comes in from a quick, uneventful draw against Ray Robson, while Nihal rides high after a hard-earned, 70-move victory over Arjun Erigaisi - his first win of the event.
With Nihal looking to build on that momentum and Liang aiming to test him with solid, practical play, this clash could swing between careful maneuvering and sudden tactical sparks. What happens when momentum meets caution?
Nihal chooses the ever-combative Sicilian Defense!
Nihal fixes his pawn in the center, cementing his control and limiting his opponent’s pawn breaks!
Liang castles kingside, ensuring his king’s safety.
Nihal passes on the chance to launch a kingside pawn storm with g- and h-pawn advances, foregoing a sharp, double-edged battle!
Liang skillfully repositions his knight, seeking a more active post to influence the battle.
Nihal sacrifices a pawn to create weaknesses in Liang’s pawn structure.
A slip by Nihal gives Liang the opportunity to launch a piece sacrifice!
Liang calmly offers a piece sacrifice, aiming to gain a strategic advantage and open lines for his attack!
Nihal has no choice but to take Liang’s piece sacrifice, entering a sharp position.
Though Liang has chances to press his slight advantage, he surprisingly seems to be steering the game toward a repetition of moves!
Round 5 between Awonder Liang and Nihal Sarin ended in a 29 move draw in a Sicilian Defense.
The game was a subtle positional battle with the evaluation remaining balanced throughout. Nihal briefly gave Liang a chance to unleash a piece sacrifice and complicate matters, but Liang, after testing the waters, chose not to press further and opted for a repetition of moves, agreeing to a quick draw.
A cautious game that leaves both players ready for the next challenge!