SPOT ON CHESS PUZZLES for FRIDAY, April 21st, 2023

Sometimes, just when you let your guard down and least expect it...

Disaster strikes! My MacBook Pro 16" suffered catastrophic damage to the Display and is inoperable until repaired. Super annoyed. And so... my apologies about the delay in getting this post up and out to you in a timely manner.

Today we will just look at Game 9 from the World Championship Chess Match between Ian Neopmniachtchi and Ding Liren. Some nice tactics, a great take-away chess lesson about fighting spirit and some interesting strategical and endgame plays made at the board by both fighters. Now we begin to head into the homestretch which makes us wonder: Can Ding equalize the score again or will he be held at bay by Nepo? Can Nepo increase his lead and settle the match before the need to play a 14th game? Can Ding shake off all rust and shine and sprint past Nepo to the finish line and thus secure the title of World Champion for himself? No matter what happens it is we, the chess fans all over the world, who come out winners from this contest.

Enjoy and catch you on the flip ~ Sean.