counterplay

White has picked up a second pawn and her knights prevent the Black rooks from generating any counterplay.

Black seeks counterplay on the a-file, but in the end only leaves himself exposed to White’s more powerful army: 21.

Black’s desperate search for counterplay only leaves him more exposed to a devastating strike: 24.

With his rook largely a non-factor, Black has no good way to defend the a-pawn, and Ding methodically increases his advantage as his opponent grows more desperate for counterplay.

Instead, Black’s bid for counterplay costs him dearly on the game’s 39 … Kg7?