A new World Champion after the abdication of Magnus Carlsen, and by the narrowest of squeaks against Ian Nepomniachtchi, Ding has many rich and instructive games. He has something of a reputation as solid and positional, but he has a remarkable attacking talent and a keen instinct for dynamic material imbalance, both of which can be seen in the games below.

Opening

Ding has perhaps the narrowest opening repertoire of any top player at the moment, being glued to 1.d4 and associated systems, but this has hardly affected his progress.

Here is a notable piece of opening preparation, followed by a vicious attack.

[Event "Norway Chess"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2019.06.12"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Ding Liren"]
[Black "Shakhriyar Mamedyarov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[UTCDate "2023.05.14"]
[UTCTime "22:41:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D70"]
[Opening "Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Goglidze Attack"]
[Annotator "<a href="https://lichess.org/">https://lichess.org/</a>@/DrDaveExeter"]

1. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... g6 { [%eval 0.3] } 3. f3 { [%eval 0.01] } 3... d5 { [%eval 0.53] } 4. cxd5 { [%eval 0.39] } 4... Nxd5 { [%eval 0.61] } 5. e4 { [%eval 0.84] } 5... Nb6 { [%eval 0.32] } 6. Nc3 { [%eval 0.43] } 6... Bg7 { [%eval 0.63] } 7. Be3 { [%eval 0.45] } 7... O-O { [%eval 0.54] } 8. Qd2 { [%eval 0.47] } 8... e5 { [%eval 0.68] } 9. d5 { [%eval 0.74] } 9... c6 { [%eval 0.6] } 10. h4 { [%eval 0.67] } 10... cxd5 { [%eval 0.7] } 11. exd5 { [%eval 0.65] } 11... N8d7 { [%eval 0.6] } 12. h5 { [%eval 0.65] } 12... Nf6 { [%eval 0.79] } 13. hxg6 { [%eval 0.73] } 13... fxg6 { [%eval 0.61] } 14. O-O-O { [%eval 0.64] } 14... Bd7 { [%eval 0.59] } 15. Kb1 { [%eval 0.69] } 15... Rc8 { [%eval 0.72] } 16. d6 { [%eval 0.79] } 16... e4 { [%eval 0.94] } 17. fxe4 { [%eval 0.91] } 17... Ng4 { [%eval 0.75] } 18. Bg5 { [%eval 0.83] } 18... Qe8 { [%eval 0.72] } 19. Nf3 { [%eval 0.76] } 19... Rf7 { [%eval 1.1] } 20. Qe1 { [%eval 0.86] } 20... Rc5 { [%eval 0.91] } { I think this was all still theory at least this far } 21. Bd2 { [%eval 0.39] } (21. Be7!?) 21... Be6 { [%eval 0.4] } 22. e5 { [%eval 0.2] } 22... Bxe5?! { [%eval 0.85] } { Inaccuracy. Na4 was best. } 23. Bd3 { [%eval 0.9] } 23... Na4?! { [%eval 1.92] } { Inaccuracy. Bg7 was best. } { Giving up the fiianchettoed dark-squared Bishop always looks wrong! } 24. Nxe5 { [%eval 2.01] } 24... Rxe5 { [%eval 2.04] } 25. Qh4?! { [%eval 0.97] } { Inaccuracy. Qg3 was best. } 25... Rh5 { [%eval 0.84] } 26. Qg3 { [%eval 0.91] } { Black is under great pressure in a tense game -- "Mistakes come from tension" says Carlsen. } 26... Nxc3+?? { [%eval 3.0] } { Blunder. Rxh1 was best. } (26... Rxh1 27. Rxh1 Nc5 28. Bc2 Qf8 { [%csl Rf1] }) 27. Bxc3 { [%eval 2.11] } { Now White is in the driving seat. } 27... Qa4 { [%eval 2.91] } 28. d7 { [%eval 2.76] } 28... Rd5 { [%eval 3.12] } 29. Bc2 { [%eval 2.85] } 29... Qxd7 { [%eval 3.34] } 30. Bb3 { [%eval 2.63] } 30... Rxd1+ { [%eval 3.46] } 31. Rxd1 { [%eval 3.04] } 31... Qc8 { [%eval 3.42] } 32. Qh4 { [%eval 3.39] } 32... Nf6 { [%eval 3.21] } 33. Rd6 { [%eval 3.27] } 33... Bxb3 { [%eval 3.48] } 34. Rxf6 { [%eval 3.51] } { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0

Another monster theory line:

[Event "6th Chinese Master Rapid"]
[Site "Shenzhen CHN"]
[Date "2016.11.29"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Ding Liren"]
[Black "Wang Yue"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[UTCDate "2023.05.14"]
[UTCTime "22:41:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E06"]
[Opening "Catalan Opening: Closed"]
[Annotator "<a href="https://lichess.org/">https://lichess.org/</a>@/DrDaveExeter"]

1. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.23] } 3. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... d5 { [%eval 0.17] } 4. g3 { [%eval 0.2] } 4... Be7 { [%eval 0.22] } 5. Bg2 { [%eval 0.17] } 5... O-O { [%eval 0.3] } 6. O-O { [%eval 0.22] } 6... dxc4 { [%eval 0.31] } 7. Qc2 { [%eval 0.25] } 7... a6 { [%eval 0.19] } 8. a4 { [%eval 0.54] } 8... Bd7 { [%eval 0.35] } 9. Qxc4 { [%eval 0.34] } 9... Bc6 { [%eval 0.25] } 10. Bf4 { [%eval 0.31] } { The very popular main line -- not for the dilletante. } 10... Bd6 { [%eval 0.23] } 11. Qc1 { [%eval 0.33] } 11... Nbd7 { [%eval 0.28] } 12. Nc3 { [%eval 0.29] } 12... Nd5 { [%eval 0.3] } { Black threatens to pick up the Bishop pair, which White probably should not allow. } 13. Ne5?! { [%eval -0.22] } { New and not great, but it gives the game its own character. } 13... Nxc3 { [%eval 0.13] } 14. Qxc3 { [%eval 0.11] } 14... Bxg2 { [%eval 0.23] } 15. Kxg2 { [%eval 0.37] } 15... Nf6 { [%eval 0.45] } 16. Qb3 { [%eval 0.45] } 16... Rb8 { [%eval 0.47] } 17. Rfd1 { [%eval 0.16] } 17... Nd5 { [%eval 0.0] } 18. Bd2 { [%eval 0.08] } 18... f5 { [%eval 0.0] } 19. Nd3 { [%eval -0.17] } 19... Qf6 { [%eval -0.12] } 20. e3 { [%eval -0.12] } 20... c6 { [%eval 0.02] } 21. Bb4 { [%eval 0.3] } 21... Bxb4 { [%eval 0.18] } 22. Nxb4 { [%eval 0.15] } 22... Nxb4 { [%eval 0.14] } 23. Qxb4 { [%eval 0.07] } 23... Rfd8?! { [%eval 0.73] } { Inaccuracy. Rf7 was best. } 24. Rac1 { [%eval 0.9] } { Now White can grind away with a minority attack. } 24... Qf8 { [%eval 0.74] } 25. Qb3 { [%eval 0.68] } 25... Qe7 { [%eval 1.01] } 26. Rc5 { [%eval 1.03] } 26... Kh8 { [%eval 0.98] } 27. Rdc1 { [%eval 0.85] } 27... Ra8 { [%eval 0.86] } 28. Qb6 { [%eval 0.83] } 28... h6 { [%eval 0.87] } 29. b4 { [%eval 0.81] } 29... Rd6 { [%eval 0.67] } 30. Re5 { [%eval 0.76] } 30... Qd7 { [%eval 0.8] } { Decades ago I discussed playing minority attack positions with Tony Dempsey. "It's hard to keep control for the whole game," he cautioned. } 31. h4?? { [%eval -5.12] } { Blunder. Qc5 was best. } (31. Qc5) 31... Kh7?? { [%eval 0.7] } { Blunder. c5 was best. } (31... c5! $19 32. Qxc5 Rc6) 32. Qc5 { [%eval 0.57] } { Now the game resumes its intended course. } 32... Rd5 { [%eval 0.89] } 33. Rxd5 { [%eval 0.85] } 33... exd5 { [%eval 0.8] } 34. Qb6 { [%eval 0.96] } 34... Rf8 { [%eval 0.89] } 35. b5 { [%eval 0.95] } 35... axb5 { [%eval 1.0] } 36. axb5 { [%eval 0.88] } 36... Rf6 { [%eval 0.78] } 37. Rc5?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. Rb1 was best. } 37... Rg6? { [%eval 1.27] } { Mistake. Qe6 was best. } 38. bxc6 { [%eval 1.01] } 38... bxc6 { [%eval 1.12] } 39. Qb1 { [%eval 1.0] } { White has a couple of weaknesses to tease. } 39... Qe6 { [%eval 0.92] } 40. Qd1 { [%eval 0.79] } 40... Qe4+ { [%eval 0.74] } 41. Kh2 { [%eval 0.63] } 41... Rf6 { [%eval 0.92] } 42. Qc1 { [%eval 0.44] } 42... Qe6 { [%eval 0.78] } 43. Qc2 { [%eval 0.75] } 43... g5 { [%eval 0.99] } 44. h5 { [%eval 0.85] } 44... Kg7 { [%eval 0.69] } 45. Ra5 { [%eval 0.34] } 45... Qf7?! { [%eval 0.95] } { Inaccuracy. f4 was best. } 46. Qe2 { [%eval 0.7] } 46... f4?! { [%eval 1.75] } { Inaccuracy. g4 was best. } { The natural break } (46... g4!? { cuts off the h-pawn }) 47. exf4 { [%eval 1.31] } 47... gxf4 { [%eval 2.06] } 48. g4 { [%eval 0.92] } 48... Qc7?? { [%eval 3.29] } { Blunder. Re6 was best. } 49. Ra6 { [%eval 3.32] } 49... Rf7?? { [%eval 7.45] } { Blunder. Qb8 was best. } 50. Qe6 { [%eval 7.41] } 50... Rf6 { [%eval 7.0] } 51. Qe8 { [%eval 6.76] } 51... Qf7 { [%eval 7.49] } 52. Qe5 { [%eval 5.99] } 52... Kh7?! { [%eval 8.18] } { Inaccuracy. Qd7 was best. } 53. Ra7! { [%eval 6.25] } 53... Qxa7 { [%eval 6.71] } 54. Qxf6 { [%eval 6.5] } 54... Qg7 { [%eval 6.56] } 55. Qf5+ { [%eval 6.47] } 55... Kg8 { [%eval 6.54] } 56. Qxf4 { [%eval 6.66] } 56... Qe7 { [%eval 6.58] } 57. Kg3 { [%eval 6.14] } 57... c5 { [%eval 7.46] } 58. dxc5 { [%eval 7.53] } 58... Qxc5 { [%eval 7.5] } 59. Qxh6 { [%eval 7.73] } 59... d4 { [%eval 9.34] } 60. Qg6+ { [%eval 8.75] } 60... Kh8 { [%eval 9.94] } 61. h6 { [%eval 10.08] } 61... Qe5+ { [%eval 61.32] } 62. Kg2 { [%eval 60.32] } { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0

Middlegame

Here are two sides of Ding: the careful positional player, and ... something special.

[Event "Goldmoney Asian Rapid"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.04"]
[Round "3.21"]
[White "Liren Ding"]
[Black "Magnus Carlsen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[UTCDate "2023.05.14"]
[UTCTime "22:41:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E06"]
[Opening "Catalan Opening: Closed"]
[Annotator "<a href="https://lichess.org/">https://lichess.org/</a>@/DrDaveExeter"]

{ A rapidplay win }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.23] } 3. g3 { [%eval 0.14] } 3... d5 { [%eval 0.16] } 4. Bg2 { [%eval 0.2] } 4... Be7 { [%eval 0.16] } 5. Nf3 { [%eval 0.17] } 5... O-O { [%eval 0.3] } 6. O-O { [%eval 0.22] } 6... dxc4 { [%eval 0.31] } 7. Qc2 { [%eval 0.25] } 7... a6 { [%eval 0.19] } 8. a4 { [%eval 0.35] } 8... Bd7 { [%eval 0.32] } 9. Qxc4 { [%eval 0.2] } 9... Bc6 { [%eval 0.24] } 10. Bg5 { [%eval 0.28] } 10... h6 { [%eval 0.41] } 11. Bxf6 { [%eval 0.39] } 11... Bxf6 { [%eval 0.4] } { The value of the Bishop pair continues to be debated. } 12. Rd1 { [%eval 0.41] } 12... Bd5 { [%eval 0.63] } 13. Qc2 { [%eval 0.65] } 13... a5 { [%eval 0.68] } 14. e4 { [%eval 0.53] } 14... Bc6 { [%eval 0.59] } 15. Nc3 { [%eval 0.56] } 15... Na6 { [%eval 0.59] } 16. h4 { [%eval 0.57] } 16... Nb4 { [%eval 0.53] } 17. Qe2 { [%eval 0.7] } 17... g6 { [%eval 0.67] } 18. Rd2 { [%eval 0.65] } 18... Qe7 { [%eval 0.61] } 19. Re1 { [%eval 0.54] } 19... Rad8 { [%eval 0.44] } 20. Qd1 { [%eval 0.5] } 20... Bg7 { [%eval 0.55] } 21. h5 { [%eval 0.52] } 21... g5 { [%eval 0.38] } 22. d5 { [%eval 0.08] } { White advances in the centre, as at some point he must. } 22... Bd7 { [%eval 0.12] } 23. Nd4 { [%eval 0.1] } 23... Bxd4 { [%eval 0.55] } 24. Rxd4 { [%eval 0.34] } 24... e5 { [%eval 0.51] } 25. Rd2 { [%eval 0.53] } 25... g4 { [%eval 0.7] } 26. Nb5 { [%eval 0.74] } 26... Qg5 { [%eval 0.66] } 27. Re3 { [%eval 0.53] } 27... Rc8 { [%eval 0.88] } 28. Rc3 { [%eval 0.87] } 28... Qxh5 { [%eval 0.85] } 29. Nxc7 { [%eval 0.68] } 29... Qg5 { [%eval 0.6] } 30. b3 { [%eval 0.62] } 30... h5 { [%eval 0.47] } 31. d6 { [%eval 0.05] } { White has done well in the centre but Black has counterplay. } 31... Rfd8?! { [%eval 0.6] } { Inaccuracy. Kg7 was best. } 32. Bf1 { [%eval 0.47] } 32... Kg7 { [%eval 0.41] } 33. Bb5 { [%eval 0.42] } 33... Bc6 { [%eval 0.79] } 34. Bxc6 { [%eval 0.86] } 34... Nxc6 { [%eval 0.92] } 35. Ne8+! { [%eval 1.03] } 35... Kf8?! { [%eval 2.19] } { Inaccuracy. Rxe8 was best. } (35... Rxe8 { Black should go down the main line } 36. d7) 36. d7 { [%eval 2.23] } 36... Rb8 { [%eval 2.56] } 37. Rd6 { [%eval 2.08] } 37... Nd4 { [%eval 1.96] } 38. Rxd4 { [%eval 1.57] } { It is White and not Black who sheds an Exchange } 38... exd4 { [%eval 1.52] } 39. Qxd4 { [%eval 1.5] } 39... Rxd7 { [%eval 1.52] } { Black hands it straight back! } 40. Qxd7 { [%eval 1.76] } 40... Rxe8 { [%eval 1.8] } 41. Qxb7?! { [%eval 0.78] } { Inaccuracy. Qd6+ was best. } 41... Qe5?? { [%eval 3.01] } { Blunder. Qd2 was best. } 42. Rc8?? { [%eval 0.65] } { Blunder. Rc7 was best. } (42. Rc7 { keeps control }) 42... Rxc8 { [%eval 0.77] } 43. Qxc8+ { [%eval 0.93] } 43... Kg7 { [%eval 0.73] } 44. Qc4 { [%eval 0.75] } 44... Qa1+ { [%eval 1.04] } 45. Kg2 { [%eval 0.69] } 45... Qf6 { [%eval 1.0] } 46. Qd5 { [%eval 1.05] } { White is getting on top, but time pressure produces some late wobbles. } 46... h4 { [%eval 1.19] } 47. gxh4 { [%eval 1.47] } 47... Qxh4 { [%eval 1.71] } 48. Qxa5 { [%eval 1.56] } 48... Qh3+ { [%eval 1.5] } 49. Kg1 { [%eval 1.18] } 49... Qxb3 { [%eval 1.52] } 50. Qe5+ { [%eval 1.15] } 50... Kf8?! { [%eval 1.76] } { Inaccuracy. Kg8 was best. } 51. a5?! { [%eval 1.05] } { Inaccuracy. Qh8+ was best. } 51... Qa3 { [%eval 0.86] } 52. Qg5 { [%eval 0.47] } 52... Qb4?! { [%eval 1.03] } { Inaccuracy. Qc3 was best. } 53. Qf5 { [%eval 0.56] } 53... Qa3?? { [%eval 2.75] } { Blunder. Qc3 was best. } 54. Qc8+ { [%eval 3.05] } 54... Ke7 { [%eval 2.71] } 55. a6 { [%eval 2.79] } 55... g3 { [%eval 3.11] } 56. Qb7+ { [%eval 2.97] } 56... Kf6 { [%eval 3.21] } 57. a7?! { [%eval 2.36] } { Inaccuracy. Qb6+ was best. } 57... Qc1+? { [%eval 3.92] } { Mistake. Qa5 was best. } 58. Kg2 { [%eval 3.81] } 58... gxf2 { [%eval 4.14] } 59. Qb6+ { [%eval 4.6] } 59... Ke7 { [%eval 4.87] } 60. Qxf2 { [%eval 5.52] } 60... Qg5+ { [%eval 3.83] } 61. Kh3 { [%eval 4.49] } 61... Qa5 { [%eval 5.27] } 62. Kg4 { [%eval 3.83] } 62... Qa1?? { [%eval 8.94] } { Blunder. Qa6 was best. } 63. Qc5+ { [%eval 9.98] } 63... Kf6 { [%eval 13.03] } 64. Qc6+ { [%eval 8.56] } 64... Kg7 { [%eval 8.36] } 65. a8=Q { [%eval 8.39] } 65... Qg1+ { [%eval 8.14] } 66. Kf5 { [%eval 9.29] } { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0

The game below has been well-annotated all over the web, and I won't presume to add anything. Just enjoy! The computer may point out faster wins, but who cares... A dashing demonstration of the power of multiple minor pieces over a Queen, and the vulnerability of an uncastled King.

[Event "Chinese Chess League"]
[Site "China CHN"]
[Date "2017.11.04"]
[Round "18.4"]
[White "Jinshi Bai"]
[Black "Ding Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2553"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[UTCDate "2023.05.14"]
[UTCTime "22:41:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E21"]
[Opening "Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation"]
[Annotator "<a href="https://lichess.org/">https://lichess.org/</a>@/DrDaveExeter"]

1. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.23] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.05] } 3... Bb4 { [%eval 0.25] } 4. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... O-O { [%eval 0.21] } 5. Bg5 { [%eval 0.0] } 5... c5 { [%eval 0.0] } 6. e3 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... cxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } 7. Qxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } 7... Nc6 { [%eval 0.0] } 8. Qd3 { [%eval 0.0] } 8... h6 { [%eval 0.0] } 9. Bh4 { [%eval -0.02] } 9... d5 { [%eval -0.01] } 10. Rd1 { [%eval -0.06] } 10... g5 { [%eval -0.01] } 11. Bg3 { [%eval -0.06] } 11... Ne4 { [%eval 0.19] } 12. Nd2 { [%eval -0.08] } 12... Nc5 { [%eval 0.25] } 13. Qc2 { [%eval 0.2] } 13... d4 { [%eval 0.24] } 14. Nf3 { [%eval 0.09] } 14... e5 { [%eval 0.33] } 15. Nxe5 { [%eval 0.0] } 15... dxc3!! { [%eval 0.16] } 16. Rxd8 { [%eval 0.11] } 16... cxb2+ { [%eval 0.16] } { The engines will tell you it's equal here, but it couldn't have felt it for either side! } 17. Ke2?? { [%eval -2.28] } { Blunder. Rd2 was best. } { Now it's a rout. } (17. Rd2! Rd8 18. Bd3 Nxe5 19. Bh7+ Kf8 20. Bxe5 Rxd2 21. Qxd2 Bxd2+ 22. Kxd2 Be6) 17... Rxd8 { [%eval -2.22] } 18. Qxb2 { [%eval -2.88] } 18... Na4 { [%eval -2.96] } 19. Qc2 { [%eval -3.05] } 19... Nc3+ { [%eval -2.46] } 20. Kf3 { [%eval -3.23] } 20... Rd4! { [%eval -2.98] } 21. h3 { [%eval -3.5] } 21... h5 { [%eval -3.31] } 22. Bh2 { [%eval -3.92] } 22... g4+ { [%eval -3.94] } 23. Kg3 { [%eval -4.2] } 23... Rd2! { [%eval -4.46] } 24. Qb3 { [%eval -5.23] } 24... Ne4+ { [%eval -5.16] } 25. Kh4 { [%eval -6.02] } 25... Be7+ { [%eval -5.23] } 26. Kxh5 { [%eval -4.97] } 26... Kg7! { [%eval -6.46] } 27. Bf4 { [%eval -6.93] } 27... Bf5 { [%eval -5.78] } 28. Bh6+ { [%eval -5.66] } 28... Kh7 { [%eval -5.89] } 29. Qxb7 { [%eval -5.97] } 29... Rxf2! { [%eval -5.79] } 30. Bg5 { [%eval -6.89] } 30... Rh8 { [%eval #-6] } 31. Nxf7 { [%eval #-5] } 31... Bg6+ { [%eval #-4] } 32. Kxg4 { [%eval #-4] } 32... Ne5+! { [%eval #-3] } { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1

Endgame

Ding's defensive obstinacy is well shown in this next game.

[Event "Chinese Chess Championship"]
[Site "Xinghua CHN"]
[Date "2012.04.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Zhou Jianchao"]
[Black "Ding Liren"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[UTCDate "2023.05.14"]
[UTCTime "22:41:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E84"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Panno Main Line"]
[Annotator "<a href="https://lichess.org/">https://lichess.org/</a>@/DrDaveExeter"]

1. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... g6 { [%eval 0.3] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.31] } 3... Bg7 { [%eval 0.7] } 4. e4 { [%eval 0.67] } 4... d6 { [%eval 0.67] } 5. f3 { [%eval 0.5] } 5... O-O { [%eval 0.47] } 6. Be3 { [%eval 0.29] } 6... Nc6 { [%eval 0.77] } 7. Nge2 { [%eval 0.65] } 7... a6 { [%eval 0.59] } 8. Qd2 { [%eval 0.68] } 8... Rb8 { [%eval 0.62] } 9. Rc1 { [%eval 0.58] } 9... e6 { [%eval 0.56] } 10. b3 { [%eval 0.64] } 10... Nd7 { [%eval 0.68] } 11. h4 { [%eval 0.63] } 11... h5 { [%eval 0.68] } 12. d5 { [%eval 0.83] } 12... Nce5 { [%eval 0.61] } 13. Nf4 { [%eval 0.39] } 13... Nf6 { [%eval 0.74] } 14. Be2 { [%eval 0.83] } 14... c5 { [%eval 0.88] } 15. dxe6 { [%eval 0.83] } 15... Bxe6 { [%eval 0.8] } 16. Rd1 { [%eval 0.68] } 16... Qa5 { [%eval 0.79] } 17. Na4 { [%eval 0.74] } 17... Qxd2+ { [%eval 0.64] } 18. Rxd2 { [%eval 0.7] } 18... Rfd8 { [%eval 0.94] } 19. Nb6 { [%eval 0.78] } 19... Nc6 { [%eval 0.91] } 20. Kf2 { [%eval 0.81] } 20... Nd4 { [%eval 0.9] } 21. b4 { [%eval 0.82] } 21... Nd7 { [%eval 0.69] } 22. bxc5 { [%eval 0.83] } 22... dxc5 { [%eval 0.59] } 23. Rb1 { [%eval 0.76] } 23... Ne5?! { [%eval 1.53] } { Inaccuracy. Nxb6 was best. } 24. Nxe6 { [%eval 1.46] } 24... fxe6 { [%eval 1.59] } 25. f4 { [%eval 1.04] } 25... Nec6 { [%eval 1.26] } 26. e5 { [%eval 1.01] } 26... Bf8 { [%eval 1.46] } 27. g3?! { [%eval 0.4] } { Inaccuracy. Bd3 was best. } 27... Kf7?! { [%eval 1.46] } { Inaccuracy. Nxe2 was best. } 28. Bd3 { [%eval 1.4] } 28... Ne7 { [%eval 1.27] } 29. Na4 { [%eval 1.33] } 29... Nef5 { [%eval 1.38] } 30. Bxf5 { [%eval 1.05] } 30... Nxf5? { [%eval 2.78] } { Mistake. gxf5 was best. } 31. Rxd8 { [%eval 2.59] } 31... Rxd8 { [%eval 2.81] } 32. Rxb7+ { [%eval 2.9] } 32... Kg8 { [%eval 3.06] } 33. Nb2 { [%eval 3.01] } { Level material, but White dominates. Black offered a draw several times during this long grim endgame... } 33... Be7 { [%eval 3.16] } 34. Rb3 { [%eval 2.81] } 34... Kf7 { [%eval 2.91] } 35. Nd3?! { [%eval 1.88] } { Inaccuracy. Rb7 was best. } 35... Rd7 { [%eval 2.2] } 36. Kf3 { [%eval 2.51] } 36... a5 { [%eval 2.26] } 37. a4 { [%eval 1.91] } 37... Rd4 { [%eval 2.29] } 38. Nb2 { [%eval 2.14] } 38... Rd7 { [%eval 2.16] } 39. Rb5 { [%eval 2.17] } 39... Bd8 { [%eval 2.04] } 40. Rb3 { [%eval 2.11] } 40... Be7 { [%eval 2.21] } 41. Rb5 { [%eval 1.98] } 41... Bd8 { [%eval 1.72] } 42. Bxc5 { [%eval 1.46] } 42... Rd2 { [%eval 1.58] } 43. Bf2 { [%eval 1.33] } 43... Rc2 { [%eval 1.54] } 44. c5 { [%eval 1.61] } 44... Rc3+ { [%eval 1.68] } 45. Kg2 { [%eval 1.3] } 45... Ke8 { [%eval 1.35] } 46. Nd1 { [%eval 1.4] } 46... Rc4 { [%eval 1.43] } 47. Nb2 { [%eval 1.14] } 47... Rc3 { [%eval 1.31] } 48. Nd1 { [%eval 1.07] } 48... Rc4 { [%eval 1.02] } 49. Ne3 { [%eval 0.57] } 49... Rxa4 { [%eval 0.42] } 50. Nxf5 { [%eval 0.88] } 50... gxf5 { [%eval 1.13] } 51. c6?! { [%eval 0.21] } { Inaccuracy. Rb8 was best. } 51... Rc4 { [%eval 0.36] } 52. Bc5 { [%eval -0.02] } 52... a4 { [%eval 0.0] } { The arc of Liren's defence has been long, but has tended towards equality, attained around here. } 53. Kf1 { [%eval -0.37] } 53... Rc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 54. Bb6?? { [%eval -3.22] } { Blunder. Kg2 was best. } { White cannot let go of the idea of the win. } 54... Rb3 { [%eval -3.3] } { Black leaps ahead. } 55. Rc5 { [%eval -3.5] } 55... Rxb6?! { [%eval -2.56] } { Inaccuracy. Bxb6 was best. } 56. c7 { [%eval -3.0] } 56... Bxc7 { [%eval -3.42] } 57. Rxc7 { [%eval -3.27] } 57... Ra6 { [%eval -3.82] } 58. Rc2?! { [%eval -5.07] } { Inaccuracy. Rc1 was best. } 58... a3 { [%eval -5.0] } 59. Ra2 { [%eval -5.02] } 59... Kd7 { [%eval -5.16] } 60. Ke2 { [%eval -4.9] } 60... Kc6 { [%eval -5.2] } 61. Kd2 { [%eval -5.06] } 61... Kd5 { [%eval -5.08] } 62. Kd3 { [%eval -5.05] } 62... Ra8 { [%eval -5.21] } 63. Kc2 { [%eval -6.11] } 63... Ke4 { [%eval -5.93] } 64. Kb1 { [%eval -5.81] } 64... Kf3 { [%eval -6.03] } 65. Rd2 { [%eval -6.14] } 65... Kxg3 { [%eval -5.86] } 66. Rd6 { [%eval -6.03] } 66... Re8 { [%eval -6.21] } { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1

And here is a patient conversion of a material advantage -- which involved giving back material.

[Event "TCh-CHN"]
[Site "Guangzhou CHN"]
[Date "2010.10.13"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Liren Ding"]
[Black "Chongsheng Zeng"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2350"]
[UTCDate "2023.05.14"]
[UTCTime "22:41:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D37"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation"]
[Annotator "<a href="https://lichess.org/">https://lichess.org/</a>@/DrDaveExeter"]

1. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 2. c4 { [%eval 0.16] } 2... e6 { [%eval 0.23] } 3. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... d5 { [%eval 0.17] } 4. Nc3 { [%eval 0.0] } 4... Nbd7 { [%eval 0.33] } { Anand's idea, directed against Bf4 } 5. Bf4 { [%eval 0.28] } { Anyway! } 5... dxc4 { [%eval 0.28] } 6. e3 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... b5 { [%eval 0.31] } 7. Nxb5 { [%eval 0.4] } 7... Nd5 { [%eval 0.39] } 8. Nc3 { [%eval 0.36] } 8... Rb8 { [%eval 0.72] } 9. Bxc4 { [%eval 0.69] } 9... Nxf4 { [%eval 0.7] } 10. exf4 { [%eval 0.68] } 10... Rxb2?! { [%eval 1.37] } { Inaccuracy. Bd6 was best. } 11. O-O { [%eval 1.3] } 11... Rb4 { [%eval 1.6] } 12. Qe2 { [%eval 1.54] } { White has a grip } 12... Bd6 { [%eval 1.4] } 13. a3 { [%eval 1.68] } 13... Rb6 { [%eval 1.67] } 14. d5 { [%eval 1.22] } 14... Nc5 { [%eval 1.18] } 15. dxe6 { [%eval 1.16] } 15... fxe6 { [%eval 1.26] } 16. f5 { [%eval 1.31] } 16... Qf6 { [%eval 1.32] } 17. Nd5 { [%eval 1.29] } 17... Qxf5 { [%eval 1.33] } 18. Nd4 { [%eval 1.36] } 18... Qe5 { [%eval 1.23] } 19. Qxe5 { [%eval 1.19] } 19... Bxe5 { [%eval 1.26] } 20. Nxb6 { [%eval 1.35] } { White's pressure has yielded an exchange. } 20... axb6 { [%eval 1.47] } 21. Rad1 { [%eval 1.29] } 21... Bxd4 { [%eval 1.39] } 22. Rxd4 { [%eval 1.52] } 22... Bd7 { [%eval 1.39] } 23. Re1 { [%eval 1.57] } 23... Ke7 { [%eval 1.48] } 24. Re3 { [%eval 1.48] } 24... Ra8 { [%eval 1.59] } 25. Rg3 { [%eval 1.26] } 25... g6 { [%eval 1.29] } 26. Be2 { [%eval 1.38] } 26... Ra4?! { [%eval 2.09] } { Inaccuracy. Be8 was best. } 27. Rxa4 { [%eval 1.95] } 27... Bxa4 { [%eval 1.9] } { Still an exchange up (for a pawn), but how do you win? First, activate the King: } 28. Kf1 { [%eval 2.09] } 28... Bc6 { [%eval 2.09] } 29. Rh3 { [%eval 2.14] } 29... h5 { [%eval 1.87] } 30. Rg3 { [%eval 1.91] } 30... Kf6 { [%eval 2.08] } 31. h4 { [%eval 2.05] } 31... Be4 { [%eval 2.08] } 32. Re3 { [%eval 2.0] } 32... Bd5 { [%eval 2.12] } 33. g3?! { [%eval 1.47] } { Inaccuracy. Bd1 was best. } 33... e5 { [%eval 1.65] } 34. Rc3 { [%eval 1.38] } 34... c6 { [%eval 1.6] } 35. Ke1 { [%eval 1.63] } { Black looks well-placed for defence, but White can tease apart the Black set-up. } 35... Na4 { [%eval 2.24] } 36. Rc2 { [%eval 2.08] } 36... b5 { [%eval 2.18] } 37. f3 { [%eval 1.77] } 37... Nb6 { [%eval 2.36] } 38. Bd3 { [%eval 2.12] } 38... g5 { [%eval 2.54] } 39. Kf2 { [%eval 2.4] } 39... gxh4 { [%eval 2.6] } 40. gxh4 { [%eval 2.54] } 40... Nd7 { [%eval 2.39] } 41. Be4! { [%eval 2.9] } 41... Ke6 { [%eval 2.88] } 42. Rxc6+?! { [%eval 2.16] } { Inaccuracy. Bg6 was best. } { Transforming White's advantage. Stockfish disapproves, but White keeps a big plus and simplifies the position. } 42... Bxc6 { [%eval 2.3] } 43. Bxc6 { [%eval 2.19] } 43... Nf8 { [%eval 2.2] } 44. Be8 { [%eval 2.13] } 44... Kd5? { [%eval 4.32] } { Mistake. Kf6 was best. } 45. Bxh5 { [%eval 4.68] } 45... e4 { [%eval 5.67] } 46. f4 { [%eval 5.06] } 46... Kd4 { [%eval 4.55] } 47. Be8 { [%eval 5.03] } 47... Kd3 { [%eval 5.78] } 48. Bxb5+ { [%eval 5.74] } 48... Kd2 { [%eval 5.85] } 49. h5 { [%eval 6.62] } 49... Ne6 { [%eval 7.0] } 50. h6 { [%eval 7.19] } { 1-0 White wins. } { Black's limping Knight cannot be in two places at once, let along three. } { [%csl Ge2][%cal Ga3a8,Gh6h8] } 1-0