Nepomniachtchi, I. – Ding Liren

2795 2023 · Draw

In 2023, Nepomniachtchi (2795) and Ding Liren (2788) played a textbook Queen’s Gambit Declined: the exchange structure after 4.cxd5, quiet development, early castling, and knights that manoeuvre for many moves (12...Nh5, 14...Nf8, 16...Ne6) without ever tilting the balance. The engine flags no turning point at all — at depth 25, neither side ever loses the thread. Black finished with 100% of moves rated good or better, White with 95%, the single inaccuracy leaving the verdict untouched. The finish says it all: 27.Nb5 Nc7 28.Nd4 Ne6 29.Nb5 Nc7 30.Nd4 Ne6, repetition and a split point. Club takeaway: a clean game isn’t an empty one — it’s one where your opponent never gets a handle.