“From a chess point of view, these are two players of equal strength, each gifted in his own way. But Ian is an easy favorite because he played in the world championship game, he is familiar with this kitchen. Although, his experience was quite negative.
Ding Liren has a hard time, now China has a strict anti-COVID policy. He failed the last tournament in Wijk aan Zee. Everything will be decided in a particular match, a lot will depend on who wins the first game. If something starts to fail for one of them, then there is a great chance that the psychological advantage will be on the other’s side, ”Sychev said in an interview with Sovetsky Sport correspondent Daria Savinova.
The match for the chess crown between Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi and Chinese representative Ding Liren will take place from April 7 to 30.
