Ian Nepomniachtchi admitted he took a peek at leaked plans of his opponent in the World Chess Championship in Astana ©FIDE

Ian Nepomniachtchi, who retained the initiative in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Championship against Ding Liren in Astana by drawing game 10, admitted afterwards his team had seen his Chinese opponent's preparations after they had been leaked online.

The Russian player, competing under a neutral banner in this FIDE flagship event, responded to a question in the post-match press conference referring to a report about the leak of Liren's details.

"My team took a look," he admitted.

"I wouldn’t say it should be as hyped as it actually is.

"I am still more or less doing what I was going to do.

"We didn’t change it too much I think."

With four games remaining, Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi leads Ding Liren of China by 5.5 points to 4.5 in the match at Astana for the vacant World Chess Championship title ©FIDE
With four games remaining, Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi leads Ding Liren of China by 5.5 points to 4.5 in the match at Astana for the vacant World Chess Championship title ©FIDE

Despite Ding's advantage of playing with the white pieces, he was unable to secure a win, getting only a slightly better position. 

With just four more games scheduled to take place, Nepomniachtchi maintains the lead 5.5 points to 4.5.

Nepomniachtchi will have the advantage of playing with the white pieces in tomorrow’s 11th game.

Ding, on the other hand, must win two games and not lose the other two if he wants to take the title vacated by Norway's five-time winner Magnus Carlsen to China.

"Ian defended quite well so I didn’t have many chances in the game," Ding said.

Asked about his confidence level about winning the match, Ding said: "We still have more games left.

"I wouldn’t say how much confidence I have."