This match is for the ages - Vishy Anand

"I briefly checked the line, but I stopped at maybe 35...Qb1+ 36.Rc2. I didn't calculate any further. So I just stopped there because my time was not so much. Considering yesterday's loss, I wanted to play quickly in time trouble, but it's another story." - Ding Liren's answer on whether he calculated 32.Qxd8 completely.

Game 8 could very well be a big turning point for this match | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

"This idea, I consider it as some kind of cannonball in my opening preparation because it can be very powerful. It's a very very long preparation... it has a very deep idea behind this. It's pity, it could have been a very good happen but it didn't happen." - Ding Liren describing his 9.Ra2.

Ding Liren - Nepomniachtchi, Game 8

Position after 9.Ra2

"Other than the line that occurred in the game, I guess one of the very very topical lines nowadays in Nimzo. As artificial as this 9.Ra2 looks, somehow I think it's the top engine choice in certain positions. So I was more or less aware of all this piece sacrifice. At least I knew after 13...g6 Black is fine. 15.e5 I would say was sort of surprise for me... I was choosing between 15...Qf4 and dxe5. I went for the principled line as it seemed and then it was like pretty much forced I guess, like this 18.Ne4 Qd8. Then I don't know why, I felt over ambitious. I think I made some awful moves which almost cost me the game." - Ian Nepomniachtchi sharing thoughts on Game 8.

Position after 21.Rh3

Nepomniachtchi felt that it was a simple choice to take on e4 after 21.Rh3. This is what he shared in the post-game press conference - 21...Bxe4 22.Qxe4 Qxd6 23.Rd2 Qc7 24.gxf5 exf5 and he felt that it should not be worse for Black. He has three pawns for the bishop and he can put the pawn on e4. He also felt 21...Rh8 was smart enough.

Position after 31...Qh4

Black got away with 31...Qh4 bluff. 32.Qxd8 was actually winning for White. 32...Qe4+ 33.Kb1 Qb1+ 34.Kd2 Qb2+ 35.Kd3 Qb1+ 36.Rc2 Qd1+ 37.Ke4 Qxc2+ 38.Bd3 "...which was very hard to spot from distance. Maybe I can go for 38...Ng3+ but I guess it's over. That was very lucky moment." - Nepomniachtchi on if he saw the entire line after 32.Qxd8. Vishy Anand described it as one of the most beautiful lines he has ever seen. He also mentioned, 35.Ke4!! simply unbelievable. I think the hardest thing is to believe the line if you see it!

Ding Liren's Cannonball and Leaked Preparation - Game 8 analysis by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India
Ding Liren vs Ian Nepomniachtchi - Game 8 Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India
Press Conference after Game 8 of World Championship 2023 | Video: FIDE

"I don't know which game you are referring... I don't know, I don't know." - Ding Liren when he was asked about some training games which were found on lichess and mentioned in the r/chess subreddit by a user - JaWarrantJaWick.

 

lichess tweeted a not so subtle tweet, providing a solution, referring to the above

Some tweets about the game

Vishy Anand

Anish Giri

Fabiano Caruana

Harikrishna

Ivan Sokolov

Photo Gallery

Victor Dolgalev, Director of the mining and processing plant - Tioline, a sponsor of the FIDE World Championship 2023, made the ceremonial first move of the eighth game | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Ding Liren seems confident even when it comes to a handshake | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

IA Gerhard Bertagnolli (ITA) donning a chequered tie | Photo: FIDE/David Llada

Replay all games

Schedule

Every game starts at 3 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. There is a rest day after every two games. Fifth game is on Saturday 15th April 2023.

FIDE World Championship 2023 schedule | Photo: FIDE

Links

Official site

Match Regulations