Traps, Tricks & Mistakes: Exchange Trap

Ian Nepomniachtchi won the turbulent Candidates tournament 2020-21. The competition started on 2020, Mar.15 and finished one year later on 2021, Apr.28. The Covid pandemic heavily affected the event and compelled the organizers to pause the games after 7 rounds.

Nepomniachtchi comfortably won the contest with one round to spare. Nevertheless, in the last round, Ding Liren overwhelmed him with a crafty trap and a quick win.

Nepomniachtchi played the game with overconfidence and didn’t accurately evaluate his attacking chances, giving Ding the opportunity to counterplay.

Although Nepomniachtchi lost his final game, he won the event and the right to be the challenger in the World Chess Match against Carlsen.

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