Vladimir Kramnik vs Ding Liren, English Opening, A28
2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 7
Vladimir Kramnik has shown real versatility in his opening repertoire, and so far he has played e4, d4 and c4 on move 1 which is very rare in only 7 games for any GM. This was an English Opening in which he stood worse and had to give up his queen for knight and rook, but Ding Liren failed to convert on the advantage.
They entered a queen vs knight and rook endgame in which no side could make real progress and the game was eventually drawn. Both players are now at 50% in the candidates tournament, and they will have to risk much more in the remaining seven rounds if they wish to stand a chance at victory!
Standings after round 7:
1. Fabiano Caruana 5/7
2. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 4.5/7
3. Alexander Grischuk 3.5/7
4. Ding Liren 3.5/7
5. Vladimir Kramnik 3.5/7
6. Sergey Karjakin 3/7
7. Wesley So 2.5/7
8. Levon Aronian 2.5/7