In the second game of the World Chess Championship came the collapse of Ding Liren. The Chinese wall fell apart like a sugar cube with white pieces for the first time. It was his turn to attack after a draw on the first day, but Russia's Ian Nepomniatchi showed he had enough resources to stifle his opponent and claim his first win in a World Cup final.
Nepomniachtchi, the main favorite after the resignation to defend the title of the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, played on this occasion with black and was able to prevail over his rival when he resigned after 29 moves and three and a half hours of a game that ultimately defined as "a mess".
Ding introduced a novelty in the first moves with a h3-pawn. After a long thought of 'Nepo', he began to torture the Chinese. Conditioned by time and spending most of the clash in the rest room, the Asian player gradually dissolved before the integrity of Nepomniachtchi, who seeks to conquer the crown that eluded him in his previous attempt to win it against Carlsen , in 2021. Finally, he resigned when the Russian was about to promote with a pawn.
Both now face a rest day before meeting in the third of the maximum of fourteen games scheduled, which will take place on Wednesday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. Astana time.
