World Chess Championship 2023 Game 12 Live: Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren all set to face off in third last round

While there are only three games left to determine the 17th World Champion, Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi will play two games with black against Ding Liren. (Photo: FIDE/David Llada)
Not pushing hard for win is perhaps Vladimir Kramnik’s influence on Nepo
There were reports that former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik is helping Ian Nepomniachtchi in his fight against Ding Liren at the 2023 World Chess Championship. While we don’t know if it’s actually true, we can see that Nepo has been playing a lot like Kramnik in the last two Games.
Game 11 on Monday was the second consecutive game in which Nepo didn’t really seem to be interested in going for a win. Mind you, this time he was playing with White.
That begs the question: why should he push for a win? He has a comfortable lead of one point (6-5) and there are just three games to go in this title clash. He could really become a world champion this week. [Read full analysis]