Did I see that right? Ding basically just blundered away a very likely draw in the final game to lose the whole thing? What a finish to a fairly exciting match (yes, a few boring draws in there).
Wild conspiracy theory: Ding hated being world champion due to the pressure and exposure it gave him. He used the entire match to show he could still be champion, but then graciously handed it away in the final game.
Either that, or he finally let his time troubles catch up to him
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Wow I thought that was definitely a draw and didn’t stay up to watch the ending.
Had to be time trouble and fatigue. Can’t see Ding turning down an opportunity to make $1 million for three weeks of work. Do understand what he was trying. If the Rooks are traded it removes some tactical complications and forces a drawn bishop end game. Didn’t realise it also forced a bishop trade and a winning pawn end game.
Is a good end game lesson for us. Bishop and pawn vs Bishop and 2 pawns should be a draw because you can sac the Bishop for the extra pawn. Without the bishops it’s more than likely a winning end game because of the extra pawn.
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How is everyone’s chess journey going? Feels like I haven’t had as much time to play lately and my rapid and blitz ratings have stalled. Did have a great classical accomplishment the other day though reaching my highest rating by beating my first ever Lichess 2000 who is currently ranked 921. Am making it a goal to find time for more classical and get into the top 1000.
Also got my 3rd smothered mate in this blitz game. Not as satisfying as calculating a four move mate but I’ll take it.
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Last edited by FireGilbert; 08-03-2025 at 11:21 PM.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to FireGilbert For This Useful Post:
Up and down. Hit new peaks in rapid and blitz on chess.com, but my OTB tournaments have been really hit-or-miss lately. Just finished the Calgary International tournament and my results were horrific.
Up and down. Hit new peaks in rapid and blitz on chess.com, but my OTB tournaments have been really hit-or-miss lately. Just finished the Calgary International tournament and my results were horrific.
I am pretty well stuck at 1100 ELO chess.com and have been for a year. serves me right for not grinding any new openings. That said, the puzzles are fun and I've been playing mostly those the last couple of months.
I just found out about Danya, and I'm absolutely choked. He was such a great chess teacher, and I absolutely loved his videos. He was an amazing bullet player, and creator, may he RIP.
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I watched his last stream and it it heartbreaking. He was clearly unwell. The accusations from that bitter old fool have affected his mental health to a point where he found it very difficult to cope. I don't know if we'll ever learn of the details of his passing. He will be greatly missed.
I watched his last stream and it it heartbreaking. He was clearly unwell. The accusations from that bitter old fool have affected his mental health to a point where he found it very difficult to cope. I don't know if we'll ever learn of the details of his passing. He will be greatly missed.
I watched it as well. He mentioned taking a break to come up with new content. I really hope it isn't Kramnik related.
Danya and Bortnik are the reason I play the Jobava London now. Very fun attacking chess.
Wow - just shocked. He was in a tier of his own for commentating matches. Always knew when to talk about playing an alternate line vs watching the live board. Great insights too. Very sad news.
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I loved his videos and spent countless hours watching them, even as a casual chess fan he made the game so interesting and easy to consume. Just devastating news to hear yesterday.
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Although there’s no cause of death being released it definitely sounds like suicide. An awful tragedy. And although there’s never a single cause, he’s not the first victim of cyberbullying to suffer this way. Kramnik’s online campaign of harassment was real, and this was a real consequence. And Kramnik is incorrigible and apparently unrepentant.
I don’t know what FIDE should be doing about this but have to think stripping Kramnik’s GM title and banning him from competitive play has to be on the table.
