[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.11"] [Round "1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D00"] [WhiteElo "2857"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Ponomariov,R"] [PlyCount "84"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {The first game of the World Championship match in New York is over. Personally I hope to learn something from the match and to see how modern chess is developing.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 {In an interview with Norwegian TV before the match I had predicted that both players will play 1.d4. In my opinion nowadays 1.d4 gives White more options to reach complicated positions and to create tension. But I didn't expect the Trompovsky though Carlsen had played it before. Maybe Carlsen wants to force the team of Karjakin to study each and every game he has ever played? At any rate, the next games will reveal his strategy for the match.} d5 {Black's most solid response.} ({ If you want to complicate things you can go for} 2... g6) ({or} 2... e6 3. e4 h6 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 {which leads to asymmetrical positions. But in World Championship matches the players usually play solidly with Black while trying to press with White. Therefore 2.. . d5 is an understandable decision.}) 3. e3 c5 4. Bxf6 gxf6 5. dxc5 ({If White wants to keep more tension he can play} 5. Nc3 {leading to a Chigorin Defence with colours reversed. The text move gives Black more options to resolve the tension in the centre.}) 5... Nc6 {There is nothing wrong with this natural development move. It seems as if Karjakin - like everyone else - was a bit by surprised by his opponent's opening choice and decided to calm down and to spend some time to find out where danger might be lurking in his position.} ({I don't think that anything is wrong with} 5... e6 {either.} 6. Nf3 (6. b4 a5) 6... Nd7 ({Here I once played} 6... Bxc5 7. c4 dxc4 8. Nbd2 Bd7 9. Bxc4 Bc6 10. O-O Nd7 {and I think in this position Black has solved all of his problems.} 11. Qe2 Qe7 12. Rac1 O-O 13. Nb3 Bb6 14. Nfd4 Rac8 15. Qg4+ Kh8 16. Qh4 Ne5 17. Nxc6 Rxc6 18. Be2 Rfc8 19. Qe4 Kg7 20. g3 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 22. Nxc1 Qc7 23. Nb3 f5 24. Qb1 a5 25. Qd1 Qc6 26. Nd4 Qe4 27. Nb5 Bc5 28. Nc3 Qc6 29. Bb5 Qc7 30. Bf1 Be7 {1/2 (30) Andreikin, D-Ponomariov,R Moscow blitz 2015}) 7. c4 dxc4 8. c6 Nb6 9. Nbd2 c3 10. bxc3 bxc6 11. Qc2 Bg7 12. Bd3 f5 13. e4 {1-0 (72) Carlsen,M (2864)-Kramnik,V (2803) Moscow RUS 2013, and in this position Magnus somehow managed to complicate things and to outplay Vladimir Kramnik. But I think this was not due to the opening. Kramnik was in bad shape in that tournament, he played badly and finished last. It is interesting that Karjakin also took part in this tournament and with his good memory he probably remembered the Carlsen-Kramnik game.}) 6. Bb5 e6 7. c4 dxc4 8. Nd2 Bxc5 9. Ngf3 O-O 10. O-O Na5 ({It's interesting to consider} 10... c3 {to change the pawn structure. Yes, Black's kingside is shattered as well, but Black has the two bishops which might give some chances to play for an advantage. Instead, Karjakin decided to play simpler and more solid chess. But after the game move White has less to worry about.}) 11. Rc1 Be7 ({Black also had the option to play} 11... a6 12. Bxc4 Nxc4 13. Rxc4 Be7 {and now White needs to play actively, otherwise Black will just finish his development and the two bishops will be very strong on the long diagonals.}) 12. Qc2 Bd7 13. Bxd7 Qxd7 14. Qc3 Qd5 {Solid again! But sometimes solid play and giving the initiative to your opponent backfires.} ({ A more principled try was} 14... b6 15. Ne4 (15. Nxc4 Rac8) 15... e5 16. Rfd1 Qe6 17. Ng3 {Obviously, White has some compensation but Black still has a healthy extra pawn. One wonders what Carlsen would have done with Black in such a position.}) 15. Nxc4 {Unfortunately White does not have much choice and can hardly avoid mass exchanges. Therefore I think that 5.dxc5 was a really committal move.} Nxc4 16. Qxc4 {A slight inaccuracy by the World Champion.} ({ There was the possible intermezzo} 16. Rfd1 Qb5 17. Qxc4 Qxc4 (17... Qxb2 18. Rb1) 18. Rxc4 {and the white rook is already on d1 instead of f1. However, after} Rfc8 {White probably has nothing better than} 19. Rdc1 Rxc4 20. Rxc4 { which leads to the same position we reached in the game. But sometimes such small nuances can be important.}) 16... Qxc4 17. Rxc4 Rfc8 18. Rfc1 Rxc4 19. Rxc4 Rd8 20. g3 ({Again I think it's more accurate to play the king to the centre first.} 20. Kf1 Rd7 21. Ke2 {is of course very similar to the game, but maybe White can eventually grab some space with g2-g4, taking two steps at once with g-pawn.}) 20... Rd7 21. Kf1 f5 22. Ke2 (22. Ne5 Rd5) 22... Bf6 23. b3 Kf8 {For the first time it may seem as if White has some advantage because Black's pieces are so passive. White's pieces are indeed slightly more active and Black's pawn structure on the kingside is a bit vulnerable. You can also try to find some analogy with the famous game Ribli-Karpov, Amsterdam 1980, which White managed to win. But it seems that these small advantages are simply not enough to win the game for White unless he gets a lot of help from Black.} 24. h3 h6 {This move is still a little bit of a mystery for me.} ({ Why not} 24... Ke7 {? Probably Karjakin wanted to nip active play from White in the bud.}) 25. Ne1 Ke7 26. Nd3 Kd8 27. f4 ({In the event of} 27. g4 fxg4 28. hxg4 Rc7 29. Rxc7 Kxc7 30. Kf3 Kd6 31. Ke4 Bc3 {It's difficult to see how White can make progress.}) 27... h5 ({Now Black didn't like} 27... Rc7 28. Rxc7 Kxc7 {probably because of} 29. Kf3 Kd6 30. e4 fxe4+ 31. Kxe4 {and in this position he might hit on some ideas to pose Black problems.}) 28. a4 {White really has difficulties to make progress. But as always Carlsen tries till the end.} (28. Ne5 Bxe5 29. fxe5 Rd5 30. Rh4 Rxe5 31. Rxh5 Rc5 $132) 28... Rd5 29. Nc5 b6 30. Na6 Be7 (30... b5 $5) 31. Nb8 a5 32. Nc6+ Ke8 33. Ne5 (33. Nxe7 Kxe7 34. Rc7+ Rd7) 33... Bc5 34. Rc3 Ke7 35. Rd3 Rxd3 36. Kxd3 f6 37. Nc6+ Kd6 38. Nd4 Kd5 39. Nb5 Kc6 40. Nd4+ Kd6 41. Nb5+ Kd7 42. Nd4 Kd6 {So, to be honest, the first game of the match was not particularly exciting. I don't think we will see this variation again. Even for Magnus it is difficult to squeeze blood out of a stone. I expect that the Queen's Indian will be tested in the next games unless Karjakin has prepared something else. But before that we will see what Sergey will play with White.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.12"] [Round "2"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C77"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2857"] [Annotator "Ponomariov,R"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 {The last time Sergey played with White against Magnus was at the tournament in Bilbao this year. I was in Bilbao and commented on the game live. Sergey played 1.d4 and Magnus chose a Ragozin, which led to a very short draw. I also expected 1.d4 by Sergey in this game - after all, he has Shakriyar Mamedyarov and Vladimir Potkin as seconds and both are 1.d4 players. So, I thought they might have found one or two or even more improvements on the line Sergey and Magnus tried in Bilbao. But no, Sergey decided to play 1.e4 - in his childhood this was his main weapon. We might see Sergey switching to closed openings in the next games - which would indicate how much they worked before the match to be ready for 1. e4 and 1.d4.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 $5 { No Berlin this time. The mind games have started....} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {The main idea of this line is to avoid lots of theory in the Classical Ruy Lopez. After 6.d3 you don't need to study the Marshall, the Breyer, Zaitzev, Chigorin etc. However, most people thought that Carlsen and not Karjakin would try to avoid the main lines.} ({Normally Sergey plays} 6. Re1 {in this position. After e.g.} b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 Bb7 (8... d6 9. c3 Be6 10. d4 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 {also leads to an exchange of bishops but in contrast to the game White has a pawn and not a knight on c3.}) 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Bc8 {we reach a position that is similar to the position we had in the game though there are differences: if you compare this line with the game continuation you will see that Black here spent more time to exchange the white-squared bishops.}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 d6 {Black has a number of options. If you want to study this variation more deeply I would recommend you to use the Reference button of your ChessBase program to see how the strongest players have handled this position.} 8. a3 O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. d4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Re8 {If one compares this position with the lines I mentioned in the comment to the 6th move, Black here is several tempi up and his position has no weaknesses. With pawns on d4 and e4 White has a strong pawn centre which gives him some space advantage but with each piece exchanged this factor is less and less significant.} ({Earlier this year Magnus played} 12... Nc6 13. d5 Nb8 {However, 12...Re8 is also the move many engines want to play. So, I don't know whether Carlsen's small refinement was really a surprise for Karjakin.}) 13. Ra1 Nc4 14. Re1 Rc8 {The idea behind this move which puts the rook behind the pawn on c7 remains a little bit of a mystery to me. Probably Carlsen wanted to be ready meet d5 by White with ...c6.} ({Probably Black didn't want to play} 14... Bf8 {immediately, because after} 15. b3 Nb6 {White can pin the knight on f6 with} 16. Bg5) ({But there is nothing wrong with playing} 14... h6 {first, e.g.} 15. b3 Nb6 16. Bb2 Bf8 17. d5 Qc8 18. a4 c6 19. dxc6 Qxc6 { with counterplay.}) 15. h3 h6 16. b3 Nb6 17. Bb2 Bf8 18. dxe5 {To me, this looks like a silent draw offer. Modern chess is becoming more and more pragmatic.} ({I think if White wanted to retain chances for a fight he had to keep the tension in the centre.} 18. Qd3 c6 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. Ne2 d5 21. Ng3 exd4 (21... dxe4 22. Nxe4 Nxe4 23. Qxe4 exd4 24. Qxe8 Rxe8 25. Rxe8 $13) 22. e5 Ne4 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24. Qxe4 c5 {I think this position is still equal but the pawn structure is asymmetrical and both players have chances for active play - White on the kingside, Black on the queenside.}) 18... dxe5 19. a4 c6 20. Qxd8 Rcxd8 {As in game one we do see an early exchange of queens.} 21. axb5 axb5 22. Ne2 Bb4 23. Bc3 Bxc3 24. Nxc3 Nbd7 25. Ra6 Rc8 26. b4 Re6 ({With} 26... c5 { Carlsen could have posed more practical problems, e.g.} 27. Nxb5 cxb4 28. Nd6 { and now the tactical trick} (28. Ra4 Rxc2 29. Rxb4 Rb8) 28... Re6 29. Nxc8 Rxa6 {gives White something to think about. But after White's 18th move Carlsen was probably also happy with a draw.}) 27. Rb1 c5 28. Rxe6 fxe6 29. Nxb5 cxb4 30. Rxb4 Rxc2 31. Nd6 Rc1+ 32. Kh2 Rc2 33. Kg1 {Well, as it turned out game two was even less exciting than game one. But Carlsen's choice of opening was smart.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.14"] [Round "3"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2857"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Seirawan,Y"] [PlyCount "156"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {Match play is all about the result. Would have, could have, should have, explanations all fall before the final score. To get a result a player has to first establish the real battleground: In which lines of opening play will the match be decided? Match play competition is also an exchange of information. The players start by making informed, educated guesses about their opponent's primary defense, their secondary defense and so on. A player will play their primary defense until a disaster before switching to a back-up defense. For Game One Magnus chose the Trompovsky Opening and in the process learned precisely nothing about Sergey's primary Queen Pawn defense. In a similar vein, Sergey learned something about Magnus's primary defense to the king pawn opening but by opting out with the safe: 6.d3, instead of 6.Re1, in a Ruy Lopez, he didn't learn enough. The first pair of games were soft, two draws where the balance was barely disturbed. The match was now reduced to a ten game match. Would Game Three finally produce the clash that chess fans were anxious for?} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Amongst the elite king pawn opening players the Berlin Defense has been a huge problem. How to get any advantage as well as how to get play?} 4. O-O {The other main try is:} (4. d3 { which can be well met by either the active:} Bc5 {as well as:} (4... d6 { transposing into a Classical Ruy where White has committed himself with the d2-d3, tempo.})) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {Disappointing. Okay the "Berlin Endgame" that appears after:} (5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 { may not be everybody's cup of tea but the imbalances can lead to rich strategic games.}) 5... Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re2 {Stop the presses! Novelty of the year! Mmm, no. The text has been chosen a few times over the "standard" move:} (10. Re1 {Presumably the difference being that when Black readies a rook swap down the e-file, recapturing on the e2-square is to be preferred. Hmm, such a nuanced difference strikes me as insufficient for a pull.}) 10... b6 ({Instead, I'll surmise that against the standard move} 10... Nf5 {Magnus had planned to advance his d-pawn:} 11. d5 $5 b6 12. c4 $5 Ba6 13. Na3 c6 14. Rd2 {is a line of play where the rook might find a purpose along the second rank. Personally, I'm skeptical about White's play as it feels artificial.}) 11. Re1 {Having coaxed Black into playing: ... b7-b6, the e2-rook moves yet again, this time to avoid: ...Bc8-a6, which would favor Black with a bishop trade.} Re8 12. Bf4 $1 Rxe1 13. Qxe1 Qe7 (13... Bxd4 $2 14. Bxd6 cxd6 15. Qe4 Bxb2 16. Qxa8 Qf8 17. Nc3 Bxa1 18. Nd5 Bf6 19. Nxf6+ gxf6 20. Qxa7 {would leave Black's structure in tatters.}) 14. Nc3 Bb7 15. Qxe7 Bxe7 16. a4 a6 {"Before the Endgame, the Gods have placed the Middle-game. And I thank those Gods." So said Tal. The position at hand queries this adorable quote. It feels as if the players have magically avoided a middle-game and embraced an Ending. Perhaps White has a smidgen of something but it sure feels balanced to me.} 17. g3 {Perhaps angling for an opportunity to play: Bf1-h3, hitting the d7-pawn at an inconvenient moment.} g5 {An active rejoinder to be sure that helps Black resolve the problem of his misplaced d6-knight. The downside to this pleasant move is that the f5-square is weakened. Magnus was quick to pounce.} 18. Bxd6 $1 Bxd6 19. Bg2 $1 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 {Imperceptibly after these trades White does have something in the position. If he can maneuver his knight to the f5-square, back it up with his g-pawn, he might yet find a serious pull.} f5 $1 {Nipping the idea in the bud before it could take shape. Not as convincing would be:} (20... Re8 21. Nd5 Re2 22. Ne3 $1 Rd2 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24. Nxd1 {when White has the more agreeable play.}) 21. Nd5 Kf7 22. Ne3 Kf6 {Sergey has "met" Magnus well and appears to be closing in on a boring draw.} 23. Nc4 Bf8 24. Re1 Rd8 $6 {A "mysterious rook move" an echo of Game Two where Magnus played: Ra8-c8, backing up a c7-pawn. I suppose the idea is to discourage: Nc4-e5, by preemptively defending the d7-pawn. Very sophisticated indeed. The brutes among us might not have been so caring:} ( 24... d5 25. Ne5 Bd6 $11 {strikes me as just fine for Black.}) 25. f4 gxf4 26. gxf4 b5 27. axb5 axb5 28. Ne3 c6 29. Kf3 {It is easy to get lulled to sleep and imagine that nothing is happening but the swap of four pawns has opened up the a-file and the g-file ensuring play for the rooks. On closer inspection a problem has crept into Black's position: The f5-pawn is a greater target than any White pawn. White is ready to seize one of the open files and prepare an invasion. White is now spoiled for choice.} Ra8 30. Rg1 Ra2 $5 {A highly optimistic move to be sure. My concern is that it could be badly timed. The threat of: Rg4-g5, picking off the f5-pawn needs to be taken seriously.} ({ Therefore} 30... Bh6 $1 31. Rg3 d5 $1 32. Rh3 Bg7 $1 {is a nice way to keep White at bay. If White persists in his attempts to win the f5-pawn he could well miss the mark:} 33. Rh5 Ra2 34. b3 (34. Rxf5+ Kg6 35. Rg5+ Kf7 {Black will win back his pawn.}) 34... h6 35. Rxf5+ Kg6 {White has managed to tangle up his own pieces.}) 31. b3 c5 $2 {Sergey cracks. Up to now, nothing has gone seriously wrong but the text is born from excessive worry. The threat of: Rg1-g5xf5+, is stronger than its execution. Upon cold reflection the best was the simple:} (31... d5 $1 32. Rg5 Ke6 $1 33. Rxf5 Bg7 {with a variation similar to the previous note. Black's counter-attack against the d4-pawn gives sufficient counterplay for holding the draw:} 34. Rh5 Bxd4 35. Rh6+ Kd7 36. Rxh7+ Ke6 {seems to be finely balanced.}) 32. Rg8 $1 Kf7 33. Rg2 cxd4 34. Nxf5 d3 35. cxd3 Ra1 $5 {When I don't understand a move I tend to reward it with a (!?) mark as a sign of respect for the player's sophistication. In truth this one is a bit beyond my comprehension. Sergey has jettisoned a pawn for active play or what the real cognoscenti would call "dynamic factors." Cool! So why not play actively?} ({Direct, good and compelling was} 35... Ra3 $1 36. Rb2 Bb4 $1 37. Ne3 Bc3 38. Rb1 b4 {when thanks to Black's active pieces it would be a real technical challenge to win this one.}) 36. Nd4 b4 37. Rg5 Rb1 38. Rf5+ Ke8 39. Rb5 {From an arid desert Magnus has managed to find an oasis. He has consolidated his extra pawn, now, remarkably, he has created real winning chances. Unlike the previous note, the f8-bishop is now passive as well as a potential tactical target.} Rf1+ 40. Ke4 Re1+ 41. Kf5 Rd1 42. Re5+ {By no means a bad move. But around these parts Magnus missed a more incisive continuation:} (42. Rb8+ $1 Ke7 (42... Kf7 $6 43. Nf3 $1 $16) 43. Ke4 Re1+ 44. Kd5 Rd1 45. Nf5+ Kf7 46. d4 Rd3 {when appearances can be deceiving. At first blush it seems that there has been a lot of to-and-froing without much happening. In truth, things are going great for White. All his pieces are active and his once dormant d-pawn and f-pawns are playing fine supporting roles. This is laid bare after:} 47. Rd8 $1 Rxb3 48. Rxd7+ Kg6 49. Ng3 Re3 50. f5+ Kg5 (50... Kh6 51. Rf7 $1 {Did I mention the f8-bishop could become a target?} Re8 52. Ne4 {White is close to winning now.}) 51. Ne4+ Kf4 52. Rxh7 b3 53. Nc5 {with good winning chances for White.}) 42... Kf7 43. Rd5 Rxd3 44. Rxd7+ Ke8 45. Rd5 {Trading off the d-pawns has benefitted Black. With the reduced material Black need only make a few more pawn swaps and he will be home free to make a draw.} Rh3 46. Re5+ Kf7 {Natural. But likely wrong. Black's king is more of a target on the kingside than a stern blockader. For reasons as we will see in the game, there is less danger for Black's king on the d7-square. In addition covering the c6-square is important.} (46... Kd7 47. Re2 Bc5 48. Ne6 Be7 {when White has a hard task to convert ahead of him.}) 47. Re2 Bg7 48. Nc6 $1 {This is the rub. White defends the b3-pawn indirectly by creating a mating net against Black's king.} Rh5+ {Doubtlessly played with a heavy heart. Sergey had covertly eyeballed the b3-pawn dreaming that it would soon be his! Not so:} (48... Rxb3 $4 49. Nd8+ Kf8 50. Ne6+ Kf7 51. Ng5+ { with a forced checkmate to follow.}) 49. Kg4 Rc5 50. Nd8+ $1 {Obviously, White wants to keep the game alive.} ({Again, a trade of pawns} 50. Nxb4 $2 Rb5 51. Re4 h5+ 52. Kf3 Bf8 53. Nd3 Rxb3 {is helpful to Black's cause.}) 50... Kg6 51. Ne6 h5+ 52. Kf3 Rc3+ 53. Ke4 Bf6 54. Re3 h4 55. h3 $2 {A careless slip when once again Magnus was close to tightenng the noose.} ({An opportunity was present to include the king into the attack by forcibly vacating the f5-square: } 55. Nf8+ $1 Kf7 56. Nd7 {threatening a winning king and pawn ending.} Rc2 ( 56... Bd8 57. Ne5+ Ke6 58. Nd3 $1 Bb6 59. Rh3 $1) 57. Kf5 $1 Bg7 58. h3 { is a superior version of the game.}) 55... Rc1 56. Nf8+ Kf7 57. Nd7 Ke6 $1 { The difference between the two lines is now clear: White is prevented from playing: Ke4-f5.} 58. Nb6 Rd1 59. f5+ Kf7 60. Nc4 Rd4+ 61. Kf3 Bg5 $2 {After fighting so tenaciously Sergey makes an egregious slip which endangers all his hard work. With the draw nearly in sight the simple method was also a direct one, keep attacking the f5-pawn:} (61... Rd5 $1 62. Ke2 Kg7 $1 63. Rf3 { and only now} Bg5 $1 {Black's king is ready to sweep away the f5-pawn and secure the coveted draw.}) 62. Re4 Rd3+ 63. Kg4 {And just like that Magnus is back in business.} Rg3+ {In such positions, there is the "human element" of wanting to eliminate all of White's pawns at the cost of a bishop and to play K&R versus a K,R&N position. Where possible, you calculate where such an escape might lie. At first blush there appears to be an "easy" draw in view:} ( 63... Bf6 64. Re6 Rg3+ 65. Kf4 Bg5+ 66. Ke4 Rxh3 67. Ne5+ Kf8 68. f6 Rxb3 { Exactly at this moment, Black is a happy camper. Just one move away from the goal!} 69. Kf5 (69. f7 $1 Be7 70. Rg6 $1 $18) 69... Bxf6 $1 70. Kxf6 Kg8 { Mission accomplished. A draw is in the offing. How cruel is the scorpion's sting. Go back to move sixty-nine and play: 69.f7! Be7 70.Rg6!, instead. When Black is just lost. Yikes.}) 64. Kh5 Be7 65. Ne5+ Kf6 66. Ng4+ $1 {During the time that this phase of the game was being played I was having dinner at the Closing of the "Showdown" in Saint Louis tournament. In my nearest vicinity was Fabiano, Hikaru and Vishy. We all scrunched around Fabi's smart-phone to follow the cut and thrust. In rapid-fire succession, one defense after another was defeated. The verdict of the table was clear: Magnus was now winning. Our mirth attracted the attention of Veselin Topalov as well. I was beginning to feel out-rated but followed their analysis closely.} Kf7 {The plausible alternative:} (66... Kxf5 {was defeated by the important zwischenzug:} 67. Re5+ $1 Kf4 68. Rxe7 Rxh3 69. Rf7+ $1 {when Black's king is forced to go into the path of his rook.} Kg3 70. Nf2 $1 ({while} 70. Rb7 {is also good, the text is much stronger}) 70... Rh2 71. Ne4+ Kh3 72. Rf3+ Kg2 73. Rf2+ {forcing the trade of rooks is the easiest win.}) 67. Re6 Rxh3 68. Ne5+ {Black is now forced to part with his bishop.} Kg7 69. Rxe7+ Kf6 70. Nc6 Kxf5 $2 {A move the dinner table had rejected. The conversation had centered on a study-like position that arises after:} (70... Rc3 $3 71. Re6+ Kxf5 72. Nd4+ Kf4 73. Kxh4 Rd3 $1 {The "collective wisdom" of the table was having a devil of a time here. The analysis continued:} 74. Ne2+ Kf3 $1 (74... Kf5 $4 75. Rb6 $18) 75. Nc1 Rd1 $3 (75... Rc3 76. Re1 Kf2 77. Rd1 {Black's king is cut-off from the queenside and White's king will march to victory.}) 76. Rc6 Ke3 77. Rc2 {At this moment, the table was reasonably sure that the game was won, as again, Black's king appears to be cut-off and another victorious white king march was in the offing. Vishy forced us away from our dinners with another offering:} Rd2 $1 78. Rc6 Rd1 {and no matter how we tried, the win, if it exists proved elusive.} ) 71. Na5 $6 {Missing a golden opportunity to clinch the game:} (71. Re1 $3 { comes with splendid timing. The text renders any tricks based on: ...Rh3-h1, and pushing the h4-pawn harmless. Secondly, White is ready to play: Ra1-b1, and then collect the b4-pawn. Finally, the king on the h5-square is poised to keep an eye on the h4-pawn. Play might continue:} Kf4 ({This time, the move} 71... Rc3 $2 {has a cruel failing:} 72. Ne7+ $1 {and Black's king is forced to move into a fatal fork.}) 72. Rf1+ $1 Ke4 73. Na5 $1 {winning. The key difference is that in this line of play White has managed to bring his rook to the first rank with gain of tempo. Black is unable to prevent future pawn pluckings.}) 71... Rh1 72. Rb7 $4 {Tragedy after a supreme effort. With this, the win definitely slipped away. Last chances were still to be had:} (72. Rf7+ $1 Ke6 73. Rf2 $1 h3 74. Kh4 Ra1 {The plausible alternative:} (74... h2 $2 75. Ra2 $1 {is a rather pretty picture}) 75. Nb7 Ra3 76. Rd2 $1 Ke5 77. Nc5 h2 78. Rxh2 Kd5 79. Rc2 $1 {At long last, White is winning.}) 72... Ra1 $1 {Sergey seizes his chance to save the game with a study-like finish:} 73. Rb5+ Kf4 $1 { Otherwise the h4-pawn is removed from the board.} 74. Rxb4+ {What else? White cannot capture the h4-pawn:} (74. Kxh4 $4 Rh1# {is spine chilling.}) 74... Kg3 $1 75. Rg4+ Kf2 76. Nc4 h3 77. Rh4 Kg3 78. Rg4+ Kf2 {Oh my what a game! The collective wisdom of the table was that if Magnus had won this game 'out of nothing' Sergey would have lost a lot of confidence, conversely thanks to this incredible save we now have a great match in store.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.15"] [Round "4"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2857"] [Annotator "Rogozenco,D"] [PlyCount "187"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {Another marathon game in the match, another triumph of defence and another draw... At the beginning of game four it seemed as if Karjakin had not yet recovered from the previous tiring encounter, as some of his decisions right after the opening were doubtful, to say the least. But then, in a very critical situation, where most of the specialists predicted a sure win for Carlsen, the Russian grandmaster again displayed his fantastic skills in defending inferior positions and succeeded in getting the desired draw after almost 7 hours of play.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 { In the second game of the match Karjakin went for 6.d3.} 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 {A popular Anti-Marshall system, which tends to lead to a complicated strategical battle, with many theoretical subleties.} Bb7 9. d3 d6 ({Here Black can still play in Marshall-style with} 9... d5 {but Karjakin has a lot of experience with such positions which he plays with both colours. So Carlsen decides to go for a positional game.} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 (11. Nbd2 f6 12. a3 Kh8 13. Ba2 Nf4 14. Ne4 Ng6 15. Be3 Nd4 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. h4 f5 18. Neg5 Nxh4 19. Ne6 Nxf3+ 20. gxf3 Qd6 21. Nxf8 Rxf8 22. Kf1 Bg5 23. Re6 Qf4 24. Qe2 Bxf3 25. Qe5 Qh4 26. Qg3 Qh1+ 27. Qg1 Qh5 {0-1 (27) Topalov,V (2752)-Karjakin, S (2779) Astana 2012}) 11... Nd4 12. Bd2 c5 13. Nc3 Nxb3 14. axb3 Nb4 15. Ne4 f5 16. Ng3 Qd5 17. Nf3 Qd7 18. Ne5 Qd5 19. Nf3 Qd7 20. Bxb4 cxb4 21. d4 Rac8 22. Qd3 Bd6 23. Ne5 Qc7 24. Nxf5 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 {Karjakin,S (2747)-Onischuk,A (2688) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010, and White went on to win.}) 10. a3 Qd7 ({Both} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5) ({and} 10... Nb8 11. Nbd2 Nbd7 {had been played by Carlsen before. However, Karjakin's answer came instantly.}) 11. Nbd2 Rfe8 { This move might have been a surprise for the contender. He thought for 12 minutes before coming up with a reply and also spent a lot of time on his next moves. In previous games Karjakin had faced 11...Rae8 and 11...Nd8.} 12. c3 { Why did it take Karjakin so long to play this natural move? First of all, despite his huge experience in these types of position, Karjakin never had this particular one in his practice before. Secondly, the position is quite complicated strategically and it is not easy to figure out whether White needs to play c2-c3 at all. For instance it looks logical to postpone it and start with 12.Nf1. Generally speaking, modern theory considers this type of position as slightly better for White. But again, with a lot of strategic subtleties. As grandmaster Nigel Short put it: "In such positions, with White I always feel I have no advantage, but with Black that I can't equalise".} Bf8 13. Nf1 h6 14. N3h2 {Preparing the typical action on the kingside, which is met by the standard counterplay in the centre.} d5 15. Qf3 {White now threatens to take on h6 and actually has a simple plan: he wants to play Ng3, Ng4 and so on. Black must react very precisely and Carlsen is up to this task.} Na5 16. Ba2 dxe4 {Played after ten minutes.} ({Possibly the World Champion wondered whether he had compensation in variations like} 16... c5 17. Bxh6 c4 18. Rad1 ( 18. Bg5 {allows} dxe4 19. dxe4 Nxe4 20. Rxe4 f5 {which is very unlear}) 18... dxe4 19. dxe4 Qc6 {but then decided to go for the more solid game continuation. }) 17. dxe4 Nc4 18. Bxh6 {A curious moment. After a long think Karjakin makes the most principled move, but soon ends up in a very unpleasant position. Taking on h6 is not a mistake yet, but White must have missed something, as his next move is clearly not the best way to continue.} (18. Ng4 {maintains equality.}) 18... Qc6 $1 {Very precise play by Carlsen. Black had several sharp alternatives, but the World Champion rightly rejected them.} (18... Nxb2 19. Bg5 Nh7 20. Bh4 c5 21. Re2 Nc4 22. Bxc4 bxc4 23. Rd2 {and White has an advantage.}) (18... Nxe4 19. Rxe4 Bxe4 (19... f5 $2 {loses due to} 20. Rxc4 Bxf3 21. Rxc7+) 20. Qxe4 gxh6 21. Ng4 Bg7 22. Nfe3 {with good positional compensation for White.}) 19. Bxc4 $6 {This doubtful move was played after 16 minutes of thinking! Maybe Karjakin already disliked his position so much, that he decided to go for a clearly worse endgame, hoping to hold it. Amazingly, this worked out in the end...} ({There was still nothing wrong with White's position after} 19. Bc1 {For example:} Nxe4 20. Ne3 Ned6 21. Qxc6 Bxc6 22. Nhg4 {which is about equal.}) 19... bxc4 (19... Qxc4 20. Nd2 $1 {and White keeps his extra pawn}) 20. Be3 Nxe4 21. Ng3 Nd6 ({Both} 21... Nxg3) ({and} 21... Qg6 {were good alternatives as well. In all cases Black has the advantage.}) 22. Rad1 Rab8 23. Bc1 f6 24. Qxc6 Bxc6 25. Ng4 Rb5 26. f3 { Thanks to his bishop pair and the pressure on b2 Black has a clear advantage. Basically there are two ways to treat the position: to play slowly with a move like 26...Kf7, improving the pieces step by step, or take immediate action - which is what Carlsen did in the game.} f5 {Black takes advantage of the fact that the knight cannot go to e3, but slow play might have been more unpleasant for Karjakin, who was already feeling some time pressure.} 27. Nf2 (27. Ne3 $2 f4) 27... Be7 ({Perhaps} 27... Kf7 {was more accurate, as now} 28. f4 {would be a mistake due to} exf4 29. Ne2 Rbe5) 28. f4 $1 {As usual, in a difficult situation Karjakin starts to defend extremely well. White needs to simplify the position, as otherwise he will soon run out of air.} Bh4 ({Another attractive option was} 28... exf4 29. Ne2 Ne4 (29... g5 30. Nd4 Rb6 31. Nxc6 Rxc6 32. Rd5 {followed by h4 gives White sufficient counterplay.}) 30. Nxe4 Bxe4 31. Nxf4 Rbb8 {In both cases Black is better and it is not easy to decide which position leaves Black with more winning chances.}) 29. fxe5 Bxg3 (29... Rbxe5 {is not convincing:} 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. Bf4 Rb5 32. Rd2 {and White has good chances to escape.}) 30. exd6 Rxe1+ 31. Rxe1 cxd6 32. Rd1 Kf7 ({After the principled} 32... Re5 33. Nh1 $1 (33. Kf1 Re6 {with ideas like ...Rg6}) 33... f4 (33... Bh4 {leads nowhere:} 34. Rxd6 Re1+ 35. Kh2) ({but maybe} 33... Ba4 34. Rf1 Bh4 35. Bf4 Rd5 {is the best}) 34. Nxg3 fxg3 35. Kf1 Be4 {Black has a clear advantage. However, the question remains the same: is it enough for a win?}) 33. Rd4 Re5 34. Kf1 Rd5 35. Rxd5 Bxd5 36. Bg5 Kg6 37. h4 {A very committal decision in time trouble, as the pawn on h4 will fall soon. In return White gets the possibility to activate the knight via h3.} Kh5 38. Nh3 Bf7 39. Be7 Bxh4 40. Bxd6 Bd8 {The time trouble is over and we can reach some conclusions: White has succeeded in avoiding the worst and simplified the position. However, even if Black fails to increase his advantage, he still has reasonable winning chances, as the bishop pair together with the chance to create a passed pawn on the kingside are strong arguments in Black's favour.} 41. Ke2 g5 42. Nf2 Kg6 43. g4 {Another committal decision by Karjakin, which again worked out well.} Bb6 44. Be5 a5 45. Nd1 f4 $2 {The decisive mistake, as it considerably limits Black's winning ideas. Carlsen gets a nice passed pawn, but closes the kingside and it will turn out that White can defend his queenside weakness successfully.} ({After} 45... Be6 {Black must be winning. The World Champion tries hard to win for another 50 moves, but his efforts are in vain and Karjakin again achieves a very important draw.}) 46. Bd4 Bc7 47. Nf2 Be6 48. Kf3 Bd5+ 49. Ke2 Bg2 50. Kd2 Kf7 51. Kc2 Bd5 52. Kd2 Bd8 53. Kc2 Ke6 54. Kd2 Kd7 55. Kc2 Kc6 56. Kd2 Kb5 57. Kc1 Ka4 58. Kc2 Bf7 59. Kc1 Bg6 60. Kd2 Kb3 61. Kc1 Bd3 62. Nh3 Ka2 63. Bc5 Be2 64. Nf2 Bf3 65. Kc2 Bc6 66. Bd4 Bd7 67. Bc5 Bc7 68. Bd4 Be6 69. Bc5 f3 70. Be3 Bd7 71. Kc1 Bc8 72. Kc2 Bd7 73. Kc1 Bf4 74. Bxf4 gxf4 75. Kc2 Be6 76. Kc1 Bc8 77. Kc2 Be6 78. Kc1 Kb3 79. Kb1 Ka4 80. Kc2 Kb5 81. Kd2 Kc6 82. Ke1 Kd5 83. Kf1 Ke5 84. Kg1 Kf6 85. Ne4+ Kg6 86. Kf2 Bxg4 87. Nd2 Be6 88. Kxf3 Kf5 89. a4 Bd5+ 90. Kf2 Kg4 91. Nf1 Kg5 92. Nd2 Kf5 93. Ke2 Kg4 94. Kf2 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.17"] [Round "5"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Nunn,J"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {Carlsen had pressed strongly in Games 3 and 4 so now, with the white pieces in front of him, would this be the game for the champion's breakthrough in the match?} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {So far Carlsen has adopted three different openings in his three games with White. Gone are the days of Alekhine-Capablanca when they played the Queen's Gambit Declined in almost every one of the 34 games.} Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 {The quiet form of the Giuoco Piano, often called the Giuoco Pianissimo. White aims for a slow build-up, sometimes trying to gain space on the queenside with c3 and b4, or playing for a delayed action in the centre after transferring the knight from b1 to d2, f1 and g3, much as in the Spanish. It's tempting to just comment that such quiet methods are unlikely to bring White much of an objective advantage, but that isn't the way Carlsen plays. Like another world champion, Emanuel Lasker, he is often not so concerned with playing the most critical lines, but more in reaching a position in which he can show his strengths. Quiet methods have secured Carlsen many victories from positions that initially didn't appear to offer many winning chances.} O-O 6. a4 {But this is really unusual.} ({White generally prefers to prepare central expansion by} 6. c3 {or to pin the knight by}) (6. Bg5 {The ChessBase online database gives a mere 22 games with this move, with White scoring a respectable 66%.}) 6... d6 7. c3 {Now we have transposed into a more standard line. Black has to take action against the threat to trap his bishop.} a6 8. b4 Ba7 9. Re1 Ne7 {A standard plan in such positions. Black transfers his knight to the kingside in order to generate play there. With only one minor piece on that side of the board, White is slightly vulnerable there especially if he does not undertake the knight transfer to g3.} (9... Ng4 {can be met by} 10. Ra2 {a benefit of White's early queenside pawn advance.}) 10. Nbd2 Ng6 11. d4 {I'm not very enthusiastic about this move, even though my computer likes it. Is White playing on the queenside or in the centre? True, the knight transfer to g6 has weakened Black's hold on d4, allowing White to push in the centre, but it is better to wait for this type of move until White is more prepared. Playing d3 and then d4 involves an inevitable loss of tempo and White's development is not yet good enough to give a central advance any real bite.} c6 {A good response by Karjakin. Noting the slight fragility in White's position, he prepares to play actively in the centre himself.} 12. h3 {It's unfortunate that White has to play another non-developing move, but} (12. Nf1 {is strongly met by} Bg4 {White has not achieved any advantage from the opening.}) 12... exd4 $6 {Karjakin plans to break apart White's centre, but the results are not especially favourable. He could have kept the balance by the simple} (12... Re8 {or, if he really wanted some central action, by}) (12... d5) 13. cxd4 Nxe4 14. Bxf7+ $1 {A somewhat surprising decision, but a good one.} (14. Nxe4 d5 15. Bd3 dxe4 16. Bxe4 Be6 { doesn't give White anything, so Carlsen prefers to keep his knights, which are effective despite the relatively open position.}) 14... Rxf7 15. Nxe4 d5 16. Nc5 (16. Neg5 $6 Rf6 {only puts the g5-knight in jeopardy.}) 16... h6 {Ruling out any possible ideas involving Ng5 followed by Qh5.} 17. Ra3 {Thanks to White's earlier queenside advance, White can save time by doubling rooks without developing the c1-bishop first.} Bf5 18. Ne5 {This looks slightly premature. White would have had more chances of an advantage with the natural} (18. Rae3 Qf6 19. Ne5 Re7 20. Nxg6 Rxe3 21. Rxe3 Bxg6 22. Qe2 {with a solid control of the open file, although admittedly any advantage is rather slight.}) 18... Nxe5 19. dxe5 (19. Rxe5 {achieves nothing after} Bb8 20. Nxb7 Qf6 21. Re8+ Kh7 {attacking the knight and threatening ...Bh2+.}) 19... Qh4 {Attacking b4 and taking aim at f2.} 20. Rf3 {A good defensive move maintaining the balance.} Bxc5 $6 ({The tactical justification for White's play is} 20... Qxb4 $2 21. Ba3 Qa5 22. e6 Rf6 23. Nxb7 Qb6 24. e7 {and wins, but Karjakin's response is not the best.}) (20... Bg6 21. Rxf7 Bxf7 {would have been fine for Black, since the e-pawn is not well enough supported to be a real danger.}) 21. bxc5 {The exchange on c5 has altered the structure of the position. White's queenside pawns are broken, but they are not really vulnerable, while Black's b-pawn is now permanently backward. Perhaps the main worry for Black is that White's 4 vs 2 kingside majority is far more mobile than Black's queenside pawns. The outlines of real problems for Black are visible in the position and it is surprising that Karjakin went in for a line which allowed Carlsen to exercise his famous grinding skills when he had a reasonable alternative which kept some active play.} Re8 {.} 22. Rf4 Qe7 23. Qd4 {White now a very safe advantage. At the moment it may appear small, but it could easily increase. The big question is whether White can advance his kingside pawns without exposing his king too much.} Ref8 24. Rf3 Be4 25. Rxf7 Qxf7 26. f3 Bf5 27. Kh2 ({It might appear that White can start pushing his pawns at once, but after} 27. g4 Qg6 28. Kh2 Be6 29. f4 Qc2+ 30. Bd2 g6 31. Rg1 Kf7 {Black sets up a line of defence which is hard to break through. Carlsen therefore manoeuvres in the hope of finding a more favourable moment to start his pawn advance. However, the extra time allows Black to improve his position and it becomes more rather than less difficult to advance the pawns.}) 27... Be6 28. Re2 Qg6 29. Be3 Rf7 30. Rf2 Qb1 31. Rb2 Qf5 32. a5 Kf8 {An interesting plan. If White does eventually push on the kingside, it could be that Black's king will be a tactical weakness. Karjakin therefore decides to transfer his king to the queenside, where his numerical superiority of pawns offers good shelter. Additionally, the king can defend the b7-pawn, relieving his other pieces of a rather menial job.} 33. Qc3 {Carlsen cannot see any way to make progress, and for the moment just moves around without achieving very much.} Ke8 34. Rb4 g5 $1 {An interesting and highly committal decision. Black could have set up a light-square blockade with ...g6, aiming to hold on to the f5-square at all costs, but he decides instead to take pre-emptive action to prevent White's pawns even getting as far as f4 and g4. The danger is that in any ending the kingside pawns on dark squares will be vulnerable to attack by White's bishop, especially if his king is far away on the queenside. In my view, Karjakin made the right decision and, by taking action himself rather than simply waiting, he has forced Carlsen to come up with a counterplan.} 35. Rb2 Kd8 36. Rf2 Kc8 37. Qd4 Qg6 {Black is now even ready to play ...h5 followed by ...g4, which would completely kill any winning prospects for White, so Carlsen decides to block Black's advance.} 38. g4 h5 39. Qd2 Rg7 {I don't see how White can make progress here since any pawn advance of the kingside would expose the white king too much. If White could swap off the major pieces the g5-pawn would fall, but there is no way to achieve this.} 40. Kg3 Rg8 41. Kg2 $2 {This move, which blocks the path of White's major pieces to the h-file is a serious error after which White is even worse. Any normal move, such as} (41. Rh2 {would have maintained the balance.}) 41... hxg4 42. hxg4 (42. fxg4 $2 Qe4+ 43. Kg1 Rh8 { loses at least a pawn,.}) 42... d4 $1 {Karjakin strikes with a pawn sacrifice allowing him to activate his bishop.} ({This is even stronger than} 42... Qh6 43. Qd4 {White must block the d-pawn since} (43. Kf1 d4 44. Bxd4 Qh1+ 45. Ke2 Rd8 {gives Black a very dangerous attack}) 43... Rh8 44. Kf1 Qh1+ 45. Ke2 Qb1 46. Bxg5 {when White can at least run with his king to f4.}) 43. Qxd4 (43. Bxd4 Qh7 44. Kg1 Qh3 45. Qe2 Rf8 46. Rh2 Qg3+ 47. Rg2 Qxf3 48. Qxf3 Rxf3 {is an unpleasant ending for White, since all his pawns are weak, but this might actually have been the lesser evil.}) 43... Bd5 $2 {Karjakin fails to make the most of his chances. After} (43... Rh8 44. Qe4 Qh6 45. Kf1 Qh1+ 46. Ke2 Bd5 { would have been deeply unpleasant for White. His king is floating around in the middle of the board, while Black's piece press from all sides. After} 47. Qd3 Qa1 48. Bxg5 Qxe5+ 49. Be3 Qa1 {it is unlikely that White will survive in the long run. As is so often the case in opposite-coloured bishop positions with major pieces, it's the initiative and attacking chances which count, and not the odd pawn or two.}) 44. e6 {In an echo of Karjakin's ...d4, Carlsen returns the pawn in order to gain space for his pieces. However, it would have been even simpler to play} (44. Kg3 {allowing the rook to switch to h2, after which I can see nothing for Black.}) 44... Qxe6 ({Or} 44... Qh7 45. e7 Qxe7 46. Bd2 Qh7 47. Qf6 Rh8 48. Qf5+ Qxf5 49. gxf5 g4 50. Kg3 gxf3 {and with his king active White should have no trouble holding the ending.}) 45. Kg3 {The crisis is essentially over and the game is once more on course for a draw.} Qe7 46. Rh2 Qf7 47. f4 {Further activating White's pieces and fully equalising.} gxf4+ 48. Qxf4 (48. Bxf4 Qf5 49. g5 {was also safe for White.}) 48... Qe7 49. Rh5 Rf8 50. Rh7 Rxf4 51. Rxe7 Re4 {Forcing the draw.} ({After} 51... Re4 52. Rxe4 Bxe4 53. Kf4 Bd3 54. Ke5 Kd7 55. Kf6 Ke8 56. Bh6 Bc2 57. g5 Bd3 58. g6 Bc2 59. g7 Bb3 {Black is not in any danger.}) 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.18"] [Round "6"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "Hillarp Persson,T"] [PlyCount "64"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 e5 {I have spent my entire life as a chess player, trying to find assymetry where I can find it. Magnus and Sergey operate from a more elevated view-point than mine, and although they both occasionaly flirt with assymmetry, I do not get the feeling that they believe it merits a proper relationship.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 ({In a sense the Ruy Lopez is a little more ambitious than the G-whatever Piano (In Swedish we call it "the Italian", so I'm excused for not acing the spelling bee). If we continue down the rabbit hole with} 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O {, there is a big difference between... this position, compared to the more easily spelled sibling; that Black has still not moved the pawns on the queenside. This difference means that Black has fewer weaknesses to take care of and it could turn out to be the whole difference between a win and a big advantage (for White) later in the game.}) 3... a6 ({ I believe it was Julian Hodgson who said that the only problem with 1.e4, compared to 1.d4, is that the e4-pawn is hanging. After} 3... Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 { we reach one such position, the Berlin Defence. (The Petroff is another)} 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O {was seen in game three of the match. Black argues that a reasonably symmetrical position makes White's extra tempo less important. Time has told it is a decent argument.}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 (6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 {was played in the second game of the match. The main difference here is that Black can play d6 before 0-0 without having to fear a rapid c3/d4, which would lead to the one of the old main lines.} (8. a4 {is also played frequently, but after} Bd7 {has been doing quite well lately.})) 6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O {It sounds ridiculous to call such a move "critical", but in a sense it is.} ({The reason is that} 7... d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 {leads to a one of the biggest theoretical tablelands in chess, whereas the game move avoids that altogether by meeting 8.c3 with 8...d5. In days of old, this line, the "Marshall Attack", led to slugfest bonanzas, but in the age of engine-guided preparations it has a tendency to end in draws. This explains why a defensively minded wielder of the dark forces is naturally drawn to the Marshall Attack.}) 8. h3 {The consequence of Karjakin's last move is that White is forced to play this move, unless he is happy to enter the "old" lines after 8...d6 9.c3.} (8. a4 {After} Bb7 9. d3 Re8 (9... d6 {is more popular.}) 10. Nc3 Nd4 11. axb5 Nxb3 12. cxb3 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Nxb5 d5 { Dominguez Perez,L (2730)-Carlsen,M (2850) World Rapid 2015, Black equalised with ease.}) (8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 {is the starting position of the above mentioned Marshall Attack. I'm too old to try to get familiar with it. Perhaps I would, if jailed by nazis and left with only a monograph (written by Peter Svidler) to fend for my sanity, eventually be able to say something sensible about this position. And although the likelihood of this scenario has increased lately, I'm afraid that you'll have to wait until some time next year, at least. (Seeing the draw looming twenty moves ahead, you'll have to excuse me for trying to pump up the drama a bit.)}) 8... Bb7 { The most natural move if Black wants to avoid} 9. d3 (9. c3 $6 d5 $1 {is nice for Black. It is not recommended to play} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 $2 (11. d4) 11... Nxe5 12. Rxe5 Nf4 {, when catastrophe strikes the white camp. Reading the unfulfilled expectations of some kibitzers, I get the feeling that they expect something like this, and nothing less. Sorry guys. You should stick with risk.}) 9... d5 $5 {This Marshall Attack-inspired gambit can hardly have come as a surprise for Karjakin, partly because it is a main line and partly because it is played to draw. Especially the latter reason should have appealed to Magnus after yesterday's rather wobbly performance.} ({In a rapid game against Zhigalko last year, Magnus played} 9... d6 10. a3 Nb8 11. Nbd2 Nbd7 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. Ng5 d5 15. exd5 Nc5 16. c4 {and had to fight to equalise.}) 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 ({Neither of the players has room to deviate. Here} 11. a4 Nd4 $1 {equalises immediately.}) 11... Nd4 $1 {Compared to the Marshall Attack, Black doesn't have as much of an attack here. The compensation is of a more positional character. While the bishop on b7 roams freely, Black's queenside pawns don't have to worry about a2-a4 (since Nxb3 would completely ruin White's pawn structure) and c7-c5 will take a lot of space. From a White perspective, the c2-pawn has to be taken care of and the knight on e5 turns out to be in a rather awkward position...} 12. Nc3 Nb4 ({ An instructive illustration of my last comment about the knight on e5:} 12... Nxb3 13. axb3 Nb4 14. Bd2 f6 $1 15. Ng4 f5 $1 {The pawn is accelerated forward as it attacks the knight.} 16. Ne5 Bd6 17. Na2 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Nc6 19. Re1 f4 20. Bc3 $6 ({Black also has a strong attack after} 20. f3 Nd4 21. Rf1 Rf6) 20... f3 21. Re4 a5 $5 22. b4 {and now, instead of} axb4 {which was unclear, in Timofeev,A (2658)-Sokolov,I (2655) Sarajevo 2007, Black should have played} ( 22... Ne7 $1 {, with a very strong attack.})) 13. Bf4 {Perhaps there is nothing better here, but this move doesn't feel right to me. Why? There is something about putting the bishop in the line of fire (g5/Nd5) and striving to tuck it in on h2 that rings false. I'd prefer to put it on c3. On the other hand the bishop is not obstructing the queen and could come to e5. After weighing the pros and cons, I must disagree with my first instinct. It does indeed make sense.} ({I'd probably spend some time on} 13. Bd2 {according to the principle "less is more" (and "don't put the bishop on a square where it is likely to be attacked").}) (13. Ne4 {has been played a number of times and the lines after} Nxb3 14. axb3 Qd5 15. Nf3 f5 {seem to hold no danger to Black. }) 13... Nxb3 14. axb3 c5 15. Ne4 {Karjakin is trying to prove that the inclusion of Bf4 and ...c5 somehow favours White.} f6 $1 {According to the reports I read, Carlsen continued to blitz out the moves even now, so it's pretty clear that this was all part of his preparations.} 16. Nf3 f5 $1 { A recurring idea leaving White with little choice.} 17. Neg5 $1 (17. Ng3 Bxf3 $1 {and it becomes obvious why the attack on the c2-pawn is a problem for White:} 18. gxf3 (18. Qxf3 Nxc2 $19) 18... Bf6 $36) (17. Ned2 {is the most ambitious move, since it keeps some pieces on the board. After} Bf6 18. Be5 Re8 19. Rc1 h6 20. Re2 {What else?} Bxe5 21. Nxe5 Nd5 {White cannot let the knight land on f4 and} 22. g3 f4 {gives Black a nasty initiative. So, it seems that the most ambitious move was less than good.}) 17... Bxg5 18. Nxg5 h6 $1 19. Ne6 Qd5 20. f3 Rfe8 {The last five moves have basically been forced, but now White has two alternatives; one human and one non human.} 21. Re5 (21. Nc7 Qd4+ 22. Kh1 Rxe1+ 23. Qxe1 Qxf4 24. Nxa8 Nxc2 {looks like absolute disaster for White from afar, but in fact White can get a draw in more than one way. One pretty line is} 25. Qe8+ Kh7 26. Nb6 $3 Nxa1 27. Nd7 {and Black has no defence against the Nf8/ Nd7-pendulum.}) 21... Qd6 22. c3 {The challenger goes for the draw in the most solid manner.} ({The more complicated} 22. Re2 {also ends up in equality after} Qd7 23. Nc7 (23. Nxc5 $2 Qd4+) 23... Rxe2 24. Qxe2 Rc8 25. Re1 Qd4+ 26. Qe3 Nxc2 27. Qxd4 Nxd4 28. Re7 {Alas, how forced!} Nc6 29. Rd7 Rd8 30. Rxd8+ Nxd8 31. Bd6 Kf7 32. Bxc5 Ne6 33. Nxe6 Kxe6 {is a most drawish draw.} ) 22... Rxe6 23. Rxe6 Qxe6 24. cxb4 cxb4 {If White was allowed to play d4, Be5 and then put the queen or rook in such a place from where it would keep an eye on g7; then White would be better.} 25. Rc1 Rc8 {But Carlsen will not let White have three moves for free.} 26. Rxc8+ Qxc8 27. Qe1 Qd7 28. Kh2 a5 29. Qe3 Bd5 30. Qb6 Bxb3 31. Qxa5 Qxd3 32. Qxb4 Be6 {Next Black will put the queen on d7 and the position will reach a state of zero entropy. So, draw agreed.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.20"] [Round "7"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D27"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2857"] [Annotator "Hillarp Persson,T"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 $5 {I had decided not to watch any of the news on the game, in order to avoid reproducing what others had thought. Still, I couldn't keep away during the first few moves and I felt a breeze of cautious optimism when I saw Karjakin's first move. Could it be that he had deviated from his usual 1.e4 in order to be more ambitious?} d5 $5 2. c4 c6 {Already the last move was a bit of a surprise, but this is doubly surprising. Normally, both Carlsen and Karjakin favour 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 as Black, but then they diverge. Carlsen usually meets 3.Nf3 with 3...d5, whereas Karjakin slightly prefers 3...b6 over 3...d5. Considering how close their main repertoires are after 1.d4, it is not that much of a surprise that Carlsen decides to spring a surprise.} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 {This variation, named after the Moldovan master Chebanenko, was very unusual before the early nineties. Although it looks weird to move both the c- and the a-pawn to the sixth rank at such an early stage, it stands on a solid strategical basis. We see a similar strategy in the Najdorf, the Modern Benoni and the Modern, where Black plays a6 in order to disturb a knight on c3. However, it is interesting to notice that this is one of the few instances where a6 is a decent option even if the knight is not on c3. Suppose White has played Nf3 instead of Nc3, then Black can still play a6. The point is that White's knight really needs to go to c3, sooner or later, if White is to claim any sort of advantage. In such a case one might say that a6 disturbs White's natural development.} (4... e6 {leads to the Semi Slav, which has been seen in numerous earlier WCh matches. Carlsen's choice of line is more solid and also leads to lines that are slightly less analysed.}) 5. Bd3 {No! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this. Now Black is able to enter a line from the Queen's Gambit Accepted (QGA), that I thought was completely toothless. Still, after checking the facts I have come to the conclusion that my instincts are, at least, dated. Since the main lines have become so heavily analysed, the players try some of the old things anew and as will soon become obvious, Karjakin is far from alone in seeking something new in the these lines.} ({ The main lines start with} 5. Nf3 b5 {and then White has a choice between the very ambitious} 6. c5 {and the less ambitious 6.b3. It says a lot about Karjakin's attitude that he chooses neither of these. He is either a) happy to draw his way to the tie-breaks, or he b) expects Carlsen to become over-ambitious, or c) has great belief in his technical abilities, or d) this line is far more dangerous for Black than I thought (and still think).}) 5... dxc4 $1 6. Bxc4 e6 7. Nf3 c5 {So, we arrive at a line from the QGA, via a roundabout move order. This position used to be the main line, but then players started to realise that the knight lacked flexibility on c3. Since then White's main ideas in these positions all have one thing in common; avoiding putting the knight on c3. After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 5.0-0 a6, both 6.Bb3, 6.Qe2 and 6.dxc5 are more common than 6.Nc3. Then again, "common" is not always a sign of quality.} 8. O-O ({Here White has the option of playing} 8. a4 {, which is fairly dull, especially for Black. After} Nc6 9. O-O Be7 10. Qe2 cxd4 11. Rd1 e5 12. exd4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Qe5 Qd6 {White is marginally better, although the results tend towards draws, aplenty.}) 8... b5 9. Be2 {And here, when I put my hands to my face in similar fashion to Munch's famous "peanut-face", I'm clearly out of line. This line turns out to be as haute couture as anything chess related can be. It has been played by Aronian, Wang Yue, Vitiugov and others. White is doing well. My prejudices need to be updated.} (9. Bb3 Bb7 10. Qe2 ({I was hoping for} 10. e4 $5) 10... Nbd7 11. Rd1 Qb8 {has a solid reputation for Black and is the reason why White started experimenting with not putting the knight on c3.}) 9... Bb7 ( 9... Nbd7 10. d5 exd5 11. Nxd5 Bb7 12. Nxf6+ Qxf6 13. a4 b4 {seems to be about balanced, but White can set Black some problems with} 14. e4 {Aronian,L (2795) -Ponomariov,R (2710) SportAccord Blitz 2014, continued:} Be7 15. Bc4 Rd8 $6 16. Qe2 Qg6 17. Bf4 O-O 18. Bc7 (18. Rfe1 $5) 18... Rc8 19. Bg3 a5 20. Rfe1 { with some initiative for White.}) 10. dxc5 $1 {Other moves make no sense. Black would prefer to take back on c5 with a knight, but here 10...Nbd7 can be met with 11.b4!} Nc6 $5 {Not exactly a novelty, but played at a 2700+ level for the first time.} (10... Bxc5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Nd2 {has been scoring well for White among engines.}) ({Karjakin had to suffer this position himself once as Black. That game went:} 10... Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Bxc5 12. Nd2 $1 {If we compare this position to the "early" dxc5-lines in the QGA, Black has already committed to b7-b5, which leaves the dark squares somewhat weaker and also gives White something to chew on with the a-pawn.} Nbd7 (12... Nc6 13. Nce4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Be7 {would be similar to the game if the queens were still on. But since they aren't White can play} 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. Rxd6 Ke7 17. Rd1 $14) 13. Nb3 Bb6 (13... Bb4) 14. a4 b4 15. a5 $1 Bd8 16. Na4 Be7 17. f3 g5 18. e4 g4 19. Be3 {Fressinet,L (2700)-Karjakin,S (2775) Beijing (blitz) 2012, when White had a big advantage and eventually won.}) 11. Nd2 {As seen on the last move, this is the standard reaction when the queens disappear from the board. However, here it doesn't work as well.} ({Although I haven't seen what anyone else says about the game, I have allowed myself the luxury of turning the engine on now and then. I know I shouldn't, but the hour is late in Sweden and what would happen if I got it all wrong? The prospect it frightful. So, the most critical line seems to be} 11. Qxd8+ Rxd8 12. b4 $5 {It's very likely that Karjakin tried to calculate the consequences of this move over the board while sensing that it was surely part of his opponent's preparation. Not finding a clear road to an advantage he then proceeded to play a "normal" move. I'm just guessing though.} Nxb4 13. a4 $1 {One immediately spots that the queenside pawns will disappear and then the question is: how much activity does White have?} Bxc5 ({With some silicon-based help, it is possible to find that} 13... Nc2 14. Ra2 Nb4 15. Rd2 (15. Ra3 Bxc5 16. axb5 Nd3 $1 17. Rb3 O-O $132) 15... Bxc5 16. Rxd8+ Kxd8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nxb5 Ke7 19. Ba3 Ra8 20. Rc1 Nd7 {is a long line that just holds, although one sure wouldn't like to calculate and play it over the board.}) 14. axb5 axb5 15. Bxb5+ Bc6 (15... Ke7 16. Na4 Bd6 17. Nb6 {and White develops some quite nasty pressure.}) 16. Ba3 Bxb5 17. Nxb5 O-O 18. Rfc1 Be7 {and Black should be within drawing distance since} 19. Rc7 {can be met with} Rd7 $11) (11. Qc2) 11... Bxc5 {It's not only the Giuoco Piano that can lead to an asymmetrical pawn structure. ;)} 12. Nde4 ({Here the idea from Fressinet-Karjakin (above) doesn't work:} 12. Nb3 Bd6 $1 { and White is stuck with a passive bishop, a cramped position and with no way to use the c5-square.} 13. e4 $2 b4 $1) 12... Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Be7 {Something has gone wrong for White and Black's position is very comfortable. The pressure to equalise is already on White.} 14. b3 Nb4 $1 15. Bf3 $1 O-O ({Perhaps Carlsen was too happy with the draw, because here he wastes a chance to put more pressure on Karjakin:} 15... f5 $1 {The point is to get the bishop to the f6-a1-diagonal, when protecting a2 becomes very hard.} 16. Nd2 (16. Nd6+ Qxd6 17. Bxb7 Qxd1 18. Rxd1 Ra7 19. Bf3 Bf6 20. Rb1 Nxa2) 16... Bxf3 17. Nxf3 Qxd1 18. Rxd1 Bf6 19. Nd4 {Not a happy move for White to play, but there is nothing else.} Kf7 {and Black has some pressure.}) 16. Ba3 $1 {Karjakin pulls the brake just in time. With more exchanges Black has nothing more than a little extra space, which is a very nominal advantage indeed.} Rc8 $6 (16... Rb8 { or any other move that protects the bishop, would give Carlsen the kind of position where he could have played on for some while. Instead he ends up at a slight disadvantage.}) 17. Nf6+ Bxf6 18. Bxb7 Bxa1 19. Bxb4 Bf6 20. Bxf8 Qxd1 21. Rxd1 Rxf8 22. Bxa6 {Karjakin has won a pawn but needs one more move to make it count (a2-a4).} b4 $1 {This pawn is easily protected and keeps White's pawn majority in check. White's advantage is that there is one tactical trick which Black can fall for, but that's it.} 23. Rc1 g6 24. Rc2 Ra8 ({The tactical blunder I was referring to is} 24... Bc3 $6 25. Bc4 Kg7 $2 26. a4 $1 { , when White's winning chances become very real.}) 25. Bd3 Rd8 26. Be2 Kf8 27. Kf1 Ra8 28. Bc4 Rc8 29. Ke2 Ke7 30. f4 h6 31. Kf3 Rc7 32. g4 g5 33. Ke4 Rc8 { White cannot make progress, so the draw was agreed.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.21"] [Round "8"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E14"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Caruana,F"] [PlyCount "104"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {So the eighth game of the match; now we all know how the story goes, but I think many people already had the feeling that this game would go down as a big one, before it happened. After seven draws and several missed chances, Carlsen was eager to make his move in the match. The last time a World Championship happened in New York, in 1995, the match also started with a string of draws. In the eighth game, the champion then, Garry Kasparov, chose a Scotch and was neutralized with accurate opening play in long theoretical lines by his challenger, Vishy Anand. Fast forward 21 years and the current World Champion chose an entirely different opening strategy to try to win.} 1. d4 {This was definitely not unexpected, and even the move I predicted before the game. Carlsen had had enough of trying to break down Karjakin's e4 e5 and decided to venture into the thick complex of closed systems. It was natural to assume he might try something involving an early Bf4 or Bg5, but instead something unexpected, or at least unexpected to me, happened:} Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 $5 {After this surprise it became clear that we were unlikely to see any big theory or novel ideas in the opening. Magnus often plays slightly unusual but strategically based variations where his opponent has a wide choice of options and where there is a good chance of getting a playable position with chances to outplay the opposing side.} e6 {.} 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Bb2 b6 8. dxc5 {While the last few moves have all been pretty standard, this strikes me as unusual. The normal tried and tested plan is to post a knight on e5 and continue with moves like f4, Qf3, aiming to gain space and start an attack on the kingside. Carlsen's choice is certainly not bad, however, and leads to play where he can count on a slight, perhaps very slight, edge.} (8. Nbd2 Bb7 9. Ne5 {is what I would normlly expect, to be followed up by f4 or perhaps Qf3 and then Qh3. This also doesn't guarantee an advantage, but would lead to a totally different type of position than what occurred in the game.}) 8... Bxc5 (8... bxc5 9. c4 {would play into White's hands, most likely eventually leading to a hanging pawns position after White captures on d5 and Black recaptures with the e-pawn. Karjakin's choice is more circumspect.}) 9. Nbd2 Bb7 {Black continues with standard development. Karjakin took his decisions in the opening stage of the game with speed and ease, while Carlsen seemed less sure of his position.} 10. Qe2 Nbd7 11. c4 {One of the two plausible pawn breaks. The other one, e4, I saw was recommended for White, but it seems completely harmless to me, and would likely end in complete equality in a few moves.} (11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Be7 {The position remains very complicated here, but I believe in the inherent soundness of Black's structure and position.} (12... Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 Nf6 {is safe and probably enough for equality.}) 13. Rad1 (13. Neg5 {looks threatening, but after} Nc5 14. Rad1 Nxd3 15. Rxd3 Qc7 {White's play appears to go nowhere.}) 13... Qc7 ( 13... Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Bxe4 15. Qxe4 Qc7 {bails out but is also enough for rough equality.}) 14. Neg5 {, and here it looks scary, but Black can bite the bullet and come out ahead:} Nc5 $1 15. Be5 Qc6 16. Bxf6 gxf6 $1 17. Bxh7+ Kg7 18. Be4 Nxe4 19. Nd4 fxg5 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 $17) (11. a3 $5 {is a flexible move, but it also gives Black a lot of flexibility in his piece placement. Even the unusual looking} Re8 $5 {, planning ...e5 next, makes sense.}) 11... dxc4 {I think this an example of good judgement. If Karjakin had allowed cxd5, he might have had to deal with a knight coming to e4. It's hard to prove that dxc4 is the correct move, but I suspect the knight is only superficially good-looking on c4 and would rather be more flexibly placed on d2.} ({For example:} 11... Qe7 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. a3 a5 14. Ne4 N5f6 15. Nfd2 {, and White can perhaps count on some slight pressure.}) 12. Nxc4 Qe7 13. a3 a5 {Obviously the only move, as White shouldn't be allowed to win the bishop pair with b4. Now Magnus had to come up with a plan, but I don't think he successfully dealt with his task. His next few moves suggest he wasn't sure how to approach the position, and instead he mixed up inconsistent plans and ended up only putting himself at risk.} 14. Nd4 (14. e4 {is of course a very direct way of playing it, aiming to attack with e5 and Ne4, but after} Rfd8 15. e5 Nd5 16. g3 Nf8 {the black king looks very safe with a knight on f8.}) 14... Rfd8 {I like this move, and the plan associated with it - to maneuver the knight from the awkward d7-square to the comfy g6-square, where it also disturbs White with schemes of attacking his bare king.} 15. Rfd1 Rac8 (15... Nf8 {immediately would run into} 16. Ne5 {, and that is understandably not what Black is looking for.}) 16. Rac1 {This strikes me as a lazy move, after which Black obtains a completely comfortable position. The rook might look well-placed on c1, but it does nothing to bother Black and loosens the defense of the a3-pawn. In general this decision demonstrates to me that Carlsen is far from being at his best in this match so far.} (16. Nb5 Nf8 17. b4 axb4 18. axb4 Bxb4 19. Nxb6 {grants White a very temporary initiative, which will be neutralized after a couple of accurate moves.}) (16. Nc2 $5 {feels like the right move to me, even if not objectively, then at least practically; it makes it difficult for Black to complete his plan of ...Nf8-g6, and anything which cuts across the opponent's plan must be seriously considered. I'm surprised Magnus didn't choose to play this way.} e5 (16... Nf8 $2 17. b4 axb4 18. axb4 {would hand White a serious initiative.}) 17. e4 {, and because of the constant threat of b4 White can perhaps count on a slight pull here.}) 16... Nf8 17. Qe1 {This idea, to bring the bishop to f1, is I think an admission things have not gone according to plan. White regroups in order to defend an underprotected king, but clearly he cannot hope for an advantage in this way,} Ng6 18. Bf1 Ng4 $1 {An excellent move, and already White seems slightly on the back foot.} 19. Nb5 $6 {And this careless move allows Black to develop a strong initiative.} ({However, even after} 19. h3 N4e5 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 {I would already slightly prefer to play Black. The bishop on b7 is mighty and unopposed, the knight on e5 is itching to jump places and a3 is under attack.}) 19... Bc6 $2 {Just strange - a completely useless move, putting the bishop on a bad square. It's like Karjakin, who has played excellently thus far, can't believe he has outplayed Magnus and is already just better.} (19... Qg5 $1 {is crying out to be played. Just attack! Let White worry about how to hold his shaky kingside together. He would probably have to settle for the sad} 20. h3 (20. Nbd6 Bxd6 21. Nxd6 { is met by many strong moves, for example} N4e5 {, and ...Nf3 is difficult to prevent.}) 20... N4e5 21. Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Bxe5 (22. Kh1 $2 Nd3 $1 23. Rxd3 Rxd3 24. b4 axb4 25. axb4 Rb3 $1 26. bxc5 Rxb5 {wins an exchange and most likely the game as well.}) 22... Qxe5 {It might not be so awful for White, but he is definitely worse and will have to defend for a long time.}) 20. a4 Bd5 { Correcting his mistake on the previous move is a good idea. Black still has a decent position, but no longer a better one.} (20... Qg5 {just doesn't work now because of} 21. h3 N4e5 22. Nxe5 Nxe5 23. Bxe5 Qxe5 24. Na7 {, and we can see why the bishop is horribly misplaced on c6.}) 21. Bd4 {Logical. Trading dark-squared bishops leaves b6 unprotected.} Bxc4 (21... Bxd4 22. Rxd4 (22. Nxd4 Qc7 {and h2 is awkward to defend.}) 22... N6e5 {might have been an even more accurate way of equalizing, because} 23. Nxb6 $4 Rxc1 24. Qxc1 Qh4 { is basically mate and game over.}) 22. Rxc4 Bxd4 23. Rdxd4 ({In the press conference Judit mentioned} 23. exd4 $5 {as an option. Anti-positional as it looks, I started to appreciate the benefits of the move - taking control of the e5-square - and even thought it might offer White an edge. However, after} Nf6 24. g3 Qd7 25. Bg2 Ne7 {Black is way too solid to be worse.}) 23... Rxc4 24. bxc4 $6 {This move reminds me of Magnus' play in the fifth game of the match. The position is equal, but he refuses to accept the fact and starts playing risky, anti-positional moves to try to keep the game going. Why does he need to play this way? The match is equal and there's no need to overpress for a win. In this game his stubborn refusal to accept a draw finally backfired.} (24. Rxc4 {might not offer much, or nothing at all, but White doesn't risk losing and can perhaps press on for a little bit. I can't imagine Magnus opting out of this, and instead going for a strategically risky position, if he was in his usual frame of mind.}) 24... Nf6 (24... N4e5 { was my suggeston during the game, with the idea of playing ...Nc6 and trading rooks. Black should also be fine here, but Karjakin's way also worked out and led to far, far more interesting play.}) 25. Qd2 (25. c5 $2 {is "almost" a trick:} bxc5 26. Rxd8+ Qxd8 {, and the a5-pawn is protected.}) 25... Rb8 (25... Rd7 $2 26. c5 $1 {would be very bad for Black, so he had to surrender the d-file, but White has a hard time making use of his control of the d-file.}) 26. g3 Ne5 {The knight is heading for c5 via d7. The a4-pawn is a serious weakness and White will have to compensate for that with piece activity.} 27. Bg2 h6 28. f4 Ned7 29. Na7 Qa3 {If it weren't for the weakness of e3, Black would actually be in serious trouble. But that was the cost for White of playing f4 to get the knight to c6.} 30. Nc6 Rf8 31. h3 $6 {Again, Magnus refuses to accept a safe position and keeps pushing his luck, even though it is obviously very risky to play this way, especially with approaching time trouble.} (31. Rxd7 Nxd7 32. Qxd7 Qxe3+ 33. Kf1 Qc1+ 34. Kf2 {, and most likely the position will end in a draw due to White's exposed king, but he risks absolutely nothing and perhaps can hope for some initiative in mutual time trouble.}) 31... Nc5 32. Kh2 Nxa4 {The next few moves could easily be criticized, but the position is massively complex and very difficult to understand and play, especially in time trouble.} (32... g6 $5 {could be considered and might even transpose to the game after} 33. Rd8 Nxa4) 33. Rd8 ( 33. e4 {makes a lot of sense to me. The knight on f6 is going to have to move to a very awkward square after the upcoming e5.} Nc5 34. e5 Nh5 ({The machine suggests the astonishing} 34... Nfe4 $5 {, which would never happen in a real, human game.}) 35. Qf2 {This position is irrational and very difficult to assess. Black has the extra passed a-pawn and a dominant c5-knight and active queen. The knight on h5 is trapped on the edge of the board, but it also serves a purpose in creating counterplay against White's king. What would have happened in a game from this position is impossible to predict - the game could have gone either side's way.}) 33... g6 34. Qd4 Kg7 35. c5 $2 { Objectively a losing move, but I find it difficult to criticize the players for making mistakes in such a complex position, with so many options and limited time. White's situation was already difficult and this move practically worked out for Magnus.} (35. Rd7 {keeping the rooks on the board, was probably the best option for White.}) 35... Rxd8 (35... bxc5 $4 36. Qd6 Rxd8 37. Nxd8 {with the unstoppable threat of Qe7 and Qxf7, was Carlsen's ingenious point.}) 36. Nxd8 Nxc5 37. Qd6 Qd3 $2 {Obviously Karjakin didn't miss White's next move, but in time trouble he probably didn't anticipate White's 41st.} (37... Qa4 $1 {was the way to go, as many pointed out. It's natural Karjakin didn't want to give up b6 so easily, but after} 38. Qxb6 Ncd7 {the main point is the passed a-pawn. That will be enough for victory.}) 38. Nxe6+ fxe6 39. Qe7+ Kg8 40. Qxf6 a4 {This pawn is a monster, but White creates quick counterplay against Black's king:} 41. e4 {At this point I started to believe Magnus might win! Black's king quickly becomes very vulnerable.} Qd7 $1 {But this important defensive move made me realize Karjakin wasn't risking much.} (41... a3 42. Qxg6+ Kf8 43. f5 {would only be risky for Black, because his king is just so weak, and the threats of fxe6 and f6 are extremely dangerous.}) 42. Qxg6+ Qg7 43. Qe8+ Qf8 44. Qc6 (44. Qg6+ {doesn't necessarily lead to a draw, because Black can try} Kh8 {, and White still has to prove he is okay, which might not be so simple over the board.}) 44... Qd8 45. f5 { White absolutely has to create counterplay, as otherwise the a-pawn will decide the game. I think special attention should be given to the beautiful knight on c5, which holds together Black's entire position: e6 and a4, as well as controlling the crucial e4-square in many lines.} a3 46. fxe6 Kg7 (46... Kh7 {would force White to find a tough sequence of moves to draw:} 47. e5 $1 a2 48. Be4+ $1 Nxe4 49. Qxe4+ Kg7 (49... Kh8 50. e7 Qxe7 51. Qa8+ Kg7 52. Qxa2 { is drawn.}) 50. Qb7+ Kg8 51. Qf7+ Kh8 52. Qf4 {, and next Qxh6 leads to perpetual check.}) 47. e7 Qxe7 48. Qxb6 Nd3 49. Qa5 $2 {I think this is practically the decisive mistake from Magnus.} ({As Alejandro Ramirez and I discussed during the game,} 49. e5 $1 {should give White a relatively easy draw. The pawn is worthless - more important is for White to free the bishop on g2 from its cage.} Nxe5 (49... a2 50. Qd4 $1 Nxe5 51. Bd5 {wins the pawn.}) 50. Bd5 {, and with the bishop actively controlling a2 I can't see how Black can ever win this position.}) 49... Qc5 50. Qa6 Ne5 {This position looks horribly difficult for White to defend. It might even be objectively lost, but I don't think it matters over the board if there is a miracle draw somewhere. Practically, White's defensive task is impossible and I wasn't surprised to see the game end soon.} 51. Qe6 h5 {Now it's mathematically dead lost, and Carlsen's next move just sped up his inevitable demise.} 52. h4 a2 {A huge win for Karjakin, to pull ahead in the match with Black and so close to the finish line. Carlsen's unimpressive play throughout the match might give added confidence to Karjakin, but as we've seen time and again, Carlsen has the unique ability to pull himelf together and bring tournaments and matches back in the eleventh hour, even when the odds are stacked against him. Perhaps this painful loss and the rest day before the ninth game will be enough of a wake-up call for Carlsen to get his play together for the last four games.} ( 52... a2 53. Qxa2 Ng4+ 54. Kh3 Qg1 55. Qb2+ Kg6 $1 {and the checks run out. White is mated or loses the queen after} 56. Bf3 Nf2+) 0-1 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.23"] [Round "9"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C78"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "Caruana,F"] [PlyCount "148"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {Eu esperava um empate bastante manso, mas em vez disso fomos agraciados com um jogo de luta extremamente complexo, com uma abertura geralmente não vista no nível superior. A variação do Arcanjo certamente não era esperada pela maioria das pessoas, e provavelmente não pelo campo de Karjakin também. Jogá-lo requer uma enorme quantidade de conhecimento, por isso é provável que Carlsen o tenha preparado antes do jogo como reforço das suas principais defesas. Eu tenho alguma experiência jogando isso como Black contra Karjakin, já que foi o meu mainstay se abrindo por um tempo, e nós jogamos vários jogos interessantes. Como tentativa de vencer, pode funcionar se o oponente estiver mal preparado ou surpreso, mas Karjakin se mostrou à altura da tarefa. (Caruana)} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 { A variação do Arcanjo certamente não era esperada pela maioria das pessoas, e provavelmente não pelo campo de Karjakin também. Jogá-lo requer uma enorme quantidade de conhecimento, por isso é provável que Carlsen o tenha preparado antes do jogo como reforço das suas principais defesas. Eu tenho alguma experiência jogando isso como Black contra Karjakin, já que foi o meu mainstay se abrindo por um tempo, e nós jogamos vários jogos interessantes. Como tentativa de vencer, pode funcionar se o oponente estiver mal preparado ou surpreso, mas Karjakin se mostrou à altura da tarefa.} 7. a4 Rb8 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. axb5 ({Aceitando o sacrifício de peão} 10. a5 {Eis a rota. Em 2012, Alexey Kuzmin deu uma boa descrição do contexto teórico nesta Pesquisa no Anuário 105. Embora possa não haver uma vitória forçada após a aceitação do sacrifício do peão (Kuzmin chamou de "uma decisão ruim"), é claro que Black enfrenta uma luta difícil depois de} Nxa5 11. Rxa5 Bxa5 12. dxe5 Ng4 13. Bg5 f6 14. exf6 gxf6 15. Bh4 c5 16. h3 h5 17. Bd5 $1 {[#] Divergências iniciais - Portanto, pode-se concluir que o bispo deve retornar a a7. Depois de 10...Ba7 11.h3 a linha principal é 11...0-0, mas Há divergências precoces. Fabiano Caruana foi bem sucedido em um final quando Kateryna Lagno jogou 11 ... h6 contra ele, mas parece haver pouco errado com 11 .... Bb7. Depois de 11 ... 0-0 12. Be3 (nos primeiros dias de 10.a5, 12.Te1 era prevalente, mas isto quase não é mais visto) O preto pode pegar o peão a4 de duas maneiras: imediatamente ou depois de 12 ... exd4 13.cxd4. Embora os cavalos em e4 e c6 estejam desprotegidos. O preto pode recorrer a um número surpreendente de manobras táticas para se manter à tona. um tesouro para os estrategistas!}) 10... axb5 11. Na3 {A variação do Arcanjo certamente não era esperada pela maioria das pessoas, e provavelmente não pelo campo de Karjakin também. Jogá-lo requer uma enorme quantidade de conhecimento, por isso é provável que Carlsen o tenha preparado antes do jogo como reforço das suas principais defesas. Eu tenho alguma experiência jogando isso como Black contra Karjakin, já que foi o meu mainstay se abrindo por um tempo, e nós jogamos vários jogos interessantes. Como tentativa de vencer, pode funcionar se o oponente estiver mal preparado ou surpreso, mas Karjakin se mostrou à altura da tarefa.} O-O 12. Nxb5 Bg4 13. Bc2 exd4 14. Nbxd4 Nxd4 15. cxd4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nh5 17. Kh1 {Eu sempre senti que essa linha era uma das mais desagradáveis ??para os negros. O branco evita qualquer risco e espera provar a vantagem do par de bispos após a abertura do centro, geralmente quando White sacrifica um peão com e5 ou f4. Enquanto isso, Black tem que estar constantemente à procura de táticas.} Qf6 18. Be3 c5 $5 { Anos atrás, quando Rustam Kasimdzhanov estava fritando algumas bananas, ele me explicou que esse movimento era a melhor chance para o empate de Black. Depois de analisá-lo, ele tentou contra Nakamura na olimpíada de Tromso em 2014. Carlsen e sua equipe também devem ter sentido que essa era a melhor maneira de Black abordar a posição.} 19. e5 Qe6 20. exd6 c4 $1 {Este movimento incomum é o ponto atrás de 18 ... c5. O preto mantém o centro fechado e planeja capturar d6 em seguida e criar ameaças de acasalamento depois com ... Bc7.} 21. b3 cxb3 (21... c3 {foi como Rustam abordou a posição e, embora possa ser jogável, ele perdeu o jogo. A escolha de Carlsen é talvez a melhor maneira de equalizar.} 22. d5 Qxd6 23. Ra6 Nf4 24. Ra4 Ng6 25. Qd3 Bc7 26. f4 {Nakamura-Kasimdzhanov, Tromso ol 2014, E o Preto foi superado.}) 22. Bxb3 Qxd6 23. Ra6 {Depois de 23 movimentos, chegamos a uma posição crítica, que certamente foi analisada por ambos os jogadores e suas equipes. Magnus mergulhou no pensamento aqui, o que talvez signifique que ele esqueceu o que ele havia preparado, ou que ele estava decidindo entre duas opções mais ou menos equivalentes.} Rfd8 ({Outra opção de jogo} 23... Qd7 { imediatamente, e considerando as táticas Bxf7 que aconteceram mais tarde no jogo, manter a torre no f8 por enquanto mereceu consideração.} 24. Rg1 g6 { Tenho a sensação de que isso teria oferecido ao preto melhores chances de igualdade.}) 24. Rg1 Qd7 25. Rg4 {Eu pensei que colocar a torre em h4 era muito estranho, mas não havia outra maneira conveniente de defender o peão-d4. Os próximos doze movimentos são muito difíceis de explicar. A posição é altamente concreta e é provável que ambos os jogadores estivessem criando e reagindo a ameaças imediatas; o resultado final é um jogo muito computadorizado.} ({Um sacrificio tentador} 25. Rg5 g6 26. Rxh5 gxh5 {parece levar a lugar nenhum.}) ({A sugestão de computador:} 25. Bc4 Bxd4 26. Bg5 {Levaria a um final muito interessante:} Rdc8 27. Ra4 Rc7 28. Bxf7+ Qxf7 29. Rxd4 Rf8 30. Rd8 Rc8 31. Rxc8 Rxc8 {e as chances de vitória do branco são mínimas}) 25... Nf6 26. Rh4 Qb5 27. Ra1 g6 {Este movimento é geralmente útil, fornecendo luft para o rei preto.} 28. Rb1 Qd7 29. Qd3 Nd5 30. Rg1 { Agora os planos do branco são claros. Rooks nos arquivos abertos e um bispo em b3 abrem o caminho para um eventual sacrifício de torre em g6, h7 ou um sacrifício de bispo em f7. A ameaça imediata é de Bg5.} Bc7 31. Bg5 Re8 32. Qc4 Rb5 $1 {Um excelente movimento, mas não tenho certeza se foi um que foi calculado com precisão por qualquer um dos jogadores.} (32... Nb6 $4 33. Qxf7+ Qxf7 34. Bxf7+ Kxf7 35. Rxh7+ {mostra as táticas disponíveis à disposição do branco.}) 33. Qc2 (33. Ba4 {é claro, é crítico. Branco parece ganhar uma torre, mas Black tem uma resposta sorrateira:} Qf5 $1 34. Qf1 $1 {Interpor com a rainha no g2 é a única maneira de salvar o branco. Agora, o preto tem apenas um movimento para permanecer no jogo:} Rb1 $3 (34... Qxf3+ 35. Qg2 Qxg2+ 36. Kxg2 {Vitória do branco}) 35. Qxb1 Qxf3+ 36. Rg2 Nc3 37. Qf1 Nxa4 { e o preto tem compensação pela troca na forma das forças descoordenadas do branco e uma poderosa rainha em f3. No entanto, p branco ainda pode tentar se reagrupar e jogar por uma vitória, mesmo que o empate seja o resultado mais provável.}) 33... Ra8 $6 {Depois disso, Black novamente experimenta dificuldades.} (33... Rb4 {Recomendação da máquina, contra} 34. Bd2 Re2 $1) 34. Bc4 Rba5 35. Bd2 Ra4 36. Qd3 Ra1 37. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 38. Kg2 Ne7 $2 {Quase o erro decisivo, mas praticamente esse movimento foi difícil de punir.} ({ Depois de algo como} 38... Bd8 39. Re4 Nf6 {, O preto ainda é claramente pior, mas ele tem chances decentes de segurar devido ao contra-ataque ao rei branco.} ) 39. Bxf7+ {Muito tentador, mas não correto. Depois desse sacrifício, todos na sala dos espectadores ficaram muito animados e começaram a prever uma vitória para Karjakin. No entanto, toda a linha se torna muito forçado e leva a uma posição de de empate.} (39. Qb3 $1 {Seria melhor} Nf5 (39... Qf5 40. Re4 Bd6 41. Qb7 {apenas ganha material, pois o cavalo está preso.}) 40. Bxf7+ Kg7 (40... Qxf7 41. Qxf7+ Kxf7 42. Rxh7+ Ke6 43. Rxc7 {, e este final provavelmente está perdido ou, pelo menos, muito difícil de manter.}) 41. Rh3 {Parece que o preto deve ter contra-ataque aqui, mas não há caminho para criar ameaças ao rei branco. Acontece que o rei preto está terminalmente em perigo.} Qe7 42. Bg8 h5 43. d5 {, e Bc3 está vindo. É claro que isso não garantiria uma vitória, já que a posição continua muito complicada, especialmente em problemas de tempo, mas objetivamente Karjakin teria boas chances de vitória como essa.}) 39... Kxf7 40. Qc4+ Kg7 41. d5 ({Meu primeiro pensamento durante o jogo foi} 41. Rxh7+ Kxh7 42. Qf7+ Kh8 43. Bh6 {, com o companheiro eu pensei, mas depois eu vi} Qxd4 {e a mesa virou. Pretas venceriam.}) (41. Bh6+ Kf6 $1 {é surpreendentemente ruim para White, já que o ataque não leva a lugar nenhum.}) 41... Nf5 {Agora tudo é forçado} (41... Be5 $2 42. Bc3 Qd6 43. Qf4 $1 {é uma vitória muito engenhosa, com um duplo no rei e na rainha preta.}) 42. Bc3+ Kf8 43. Bxa1 Nxh4+ 44. Qxh4 Qxd5 {E aqui ficou claro que Carlsen não perderia o jogo. O branco não está ganhando h7 e sua vantagem de peão não é suficiente para causar problemas significativos para o preto. Karjakin tentou arduamente criar progresso aqui, mas sem sucesso.} 45. Qf6+ Qf7 46. Qd4 Ke8 47. Qe4+ Qe7 48. Qd5 Bd8 49. Kf1 Qf7 50. Qe4+ Qe7 51. Be5 Qe6 52. Kg2 Be7 53. Qa8+ Kf7 54. Qh8 h5 55. Qg7+ Ke8 56. Bf4 Qf7 57. Qh8+ Qf8 58. Qd4 Qf5 59. Qc4 Kd7 60. Bd2 Qe6 61. Qa4+ Qc6 62. Qa7+ Qc7 63. Qa2 Qd6 64. Be3 Qe6 65. Qa7+ Ke8 66. Bc5 Bd8 67. h3 Qd5 68. Be3 Be7 69. Qb8+ Kf7 70. Qh8 Qe6 71. Bf4 Qf6 72. Qb8 Qe6 73. Qb7 Kg8 74. Qb5 Bf6 { Finalmente, Karjakin desistiu de tentar vencer. Magnus sobreviveu a uma posição difícil! Se ele tivesse perdido, a partida teria sido praticamente decidida, mas agora ainda é uma competição aberta. Amanhã Carlsen tem brancas para tentar vencer; ele não conseguiu converter suas vantagens até o momento no jogo, então vamos ver se ele pode vencer nos últimos jogos cruciais.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.24"] [Round "10"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "So,Wesley"] [PlyCount "149"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {Going into the World Championship matches, many people logically considered Magnus to be the clear favorite against Sergey Karjakin. First of all the difference in their rating was a bit wide, as was their most recent overall performance.This year alone Magnus had won four big tournaments (Tata Steel, Norway, Leuven and Bilbao), while Sergey had only won the (admittedly long and tough) Candidates tournament which qualified him as the Challenger. Those things carry weight in people's minds but rounds 1-9 showed a different and very surprising story. The challenger's strong balanced attack, his ability to find good moves and make plans, his outstanding defense, and resistance to cracking under pressure, proved him to be an impregnable fortress. Magnus could not find a way to break Sergey down until eventually, overextending himself in Round 8, the Champion even had to accept defeat. At this point in Game 10 with only 3 games to the finish he absolutely has to find a way to even the score. He HAS to do it today.} 1. e4 {In Rounds 1 and 8 Magnus got nowhere with 1.d4, after giving the Trompovsky and the Colle system a try. Sergey Karjakin knew his stuff there. In fact he got nothing but trouble in game 8. So today Magnus decides to go back to the "best by test move" recommended by Fischer and Caruana. To be honest I'm kind of surprised that Magnus does not try 1.c4 or 1.Nf3/1.g3 but maybe we will see that in Round 12.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 (3. Bc4 Bc5 {Carlsen-Karjakin Round 5, but Magnus got nothing there either and in the end he must have been happy to save that game.} ) 3... Nf6 {Sergey sticks to his guns and goes for the Berlin Opening. I noticed that during the entire match so far, one of Sergey's strategies has been simply to go for the main lines in the opening and play a normal game. He does not overpush but maintains composure by playing objective, strong moves.} 4. d3 {Magnus' strategy seemed mostly aimed at surprises in the opening and later on, hopes to exploit his opponent's mistakes over the board. It reminded me of a quote by a famous chess player: "I will play 40 good moves. If my opponent plays 40 good moves too, we will draw." The problem in this match is Sergey is the opponent who finds all the good moves too.} (4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 { Carlsen-Karjakin Round 3, where White got very close to first blood, but later on couldn't convert.}) 4... Bc5 {Putting the bishop on an active post while also preparing to exchange the knights with ...Nd4.} 5. c3 ({Magnus has won many games in the past with} 5. Bxc6 dxc6 {And here White has many moves, but the latest innovation is} 6. Qe2 {threatening to take Nxe5.} Qe7 (6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 $14) 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 9. a3 Nd7 10. b4 Bd6 11. Nc4 f6 12. Ne3 a5 13. Nf5 {The knight on f5 is very powerful and not easy to dislodge.} Qf8 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. O-O Qf7 16. a4 Nc5 (16... O-O $2 17. Bh6 $1 {is a really nice combination.}) 17. Qe1 b6 18. Nd2 Rxa4 19. Nc4 Bf8 $2 20. Be3 {and White won easily - Carlsen against a strong GM.}) 5... O-O 6. Bg5 {This is unexpected, both for the spectators and I assume for Sergey too. Usually White castles his king first with 6.O-O and then after 6...d6 7.Bg5, when Black no longer has the option of ...Be7.} (6. Bxc6 {does not win a clean pawn, since after} bxc6 7. Nxe5 d5 {Black will get fast development in return.}) 6... h6 7. Bh4 Be7 {This is the safe and natural approach. I like this move.} (7... g5 8. Bg3 d6 9. Nbd2 {is not desirable for Black as with the rook still on h1, White gets extra attacking options.}) 8. O-O (8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxe5 {You think White has won a pawn? Well...} Nxe4 $1 {No. Black is better.}) 8... d6 9. Nbd2 { It's a little perplexing in general is Magnus' opening approach, as it's not very clear here where White's advantage is.} ({Perhaps} 9. Bg3 {with a complex position for example,} Nh5 ({If} 9... Bd7 {then} 10. h3 {which is a typical Ruy Lopez subtlety, vacating the h2-square for the bishop to retreat into!} Nh5 11. Bh2 f5 $13) 10. Bxc6 bxc6 (10... Nxg3 11. Bxb7 $1 {Aha! The suicidal bishop gives up its life so White wins a pawn.} Bxb7 12. hxg3 $16) 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qxh5 Qxd3 13. Qxe5 Re8 {and Black has the bishop pair and some compensation for the pawn.}) (9. Re1 Nh5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. d4 Nf4 $11) 9... Nh5 10. Bxe7 ({If} 10. Bg3 {Black just grabs the bishop pair:} Nxg3 11. hxg3 Bf6 { with a happy position.} (11... Nb8 12. d4 c6 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Nc4 Qc7 {should also bring a smile to Sergey's face.})) 10... Qxe7 11. Nc4 (11. Bxc6 {to give Black doubled pawns looks like a good option.} bxc6 12. d4 (12. g3 f5) 12... Nf4 {But in fact White cannot really exploit it. In fact if anything, the strong knight on f4 gives Black good chances. For example} 13. Qa4 Rb8 14. b3 Rb6 $17 {when Black seizes a strong initiative. I can already foresee a rook swing (Rb6-g6) to the kingside later on.}) 11... Nf4 {Simple and strong.} ( 11... f5 {is a more complicated way to equality.} 12. Ne3 fxe4 13. dxe4 Kh7 $11 ) 12. Ne3 Qf6 (12... f5 {is always an option here, though after} 13. g3 fxe4 14. dxe4 Nh3+ 15. Kg2 {the knight on h3 still has to find a way to escape.}) 13. g3 Nh3+ 14. Kh1 {A little too passive.} ({The king would be better placed on g2.} 14. Kg2 Ne7 15. d4 {gives White a small advantage as he has more space and seizes control over the center.} Ng6 16. Bd3 {the knight on h3 can be kicked away later with Ng1.}) 14... Ne7 {Now comes the manoeuvring phase. Both sides will now try to improve their position. The knight on h3 is very active, and Black can always exchange it with ...Ng5. I think Black has no problems here.} 15. Bc4 {Putting the bishop on the right diagonal.} (15. d4 {seems natural but leads nowhere.} exd4 16. cxd4 c5 $11) 15... c6 (15... b5 {was being cried out by the spectators online:} 16. Bb3 {But I am not sure where it leads. Advancing pawns too far can lead to unnecessary weaknesses and as everyone knows pawns cannot move backwards. In fact White is threatening a2-a4 so perhaps} (16. Bxb5 Rb8) 16... Rb8 {with an around equal position.}) 16. Bb3 Ng6 {Perhaps a small inaccuracy.} ({The knight was just fine on e7, to guard the d5 and f5-squares. In fact Black has on his agenda an active option here to try to seize the initiative:} 16... d5 $5 17. exd5 cxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Rd8 20. Be4 {and now comes The Pin:} Bg4 $1 {and White has to sacrifice material to get rid of this dangerous pin.}) 17. Qe2 {I always think Magnus excels in this kind of close to equal positions. So in fact his opening choice has been quite successful despite its modest appearance. Now even if the advantage is not much, White has chances to outplay his opponent.} a5 18. a4 { Fighting for space on the queenside and fixing the pawn on a5. With the black knights so far away on the kingside, later this a5 pawn will lack protection.} ({Watching the game live, I thought a stronger move was} 18. d4 {based on the chess principle 'Attack on the flank is best met by a counter-attack in the center'.} a4 19. Bc2 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Rad1 {and White is a little better. But now I like Magnus' choice too, as he wants to dominate the whole board, and not just the center.}) 18... Be6 19. Bxe6 $5 {When I first saw this move I thought Magnus had just made a small blunder. I thought that's it, he just wasted one of his last White games, congrats to Sergey for making an easy draw and getting one step closer to being a World Champion. However deeper inspection shows that he is setting a trap!} (19. Nd2 $1 {is definitely the best move. Black's knights on g6 and h3 look nice, but in fact they're stepping on each other's toes as neither of them can really put a foot on f4, while White is ready to consolidate his center with f3.} Bxb3 20. Nxb3 { and in fact White is already threatening to win a pawn with Nc4, amongst other threats.} Ng5 21. f3 {White has a much better coordination of pieces than his opponent's.}) (19. Bc2 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Rad1 {is possible too, though not as forceful as 19.Nd2.}) 19... fxe6 20. Nd2 {Now White is threatening to block the kingside with f3.} d5 ({I thought 19.Bxe6 was a blunder because at first sight} 20... Nxf2+ {seems to finish the game with a clean draw. But Magnus still has a final trick up his sleeve which I am sure he will go for.} 21. Kg1 $1 {is the prepared trick. Now White gets two knights for a rook and a couple of pawns.} (21. Kg2 $2 Nh4+ 22. Kg1 (22. gxh4 $2 Qg6+ {would end the match right here and right now.}) 22... Nh3+ 23. Kh1 Nf2+ {and a perpetual check is undesirable for White, as he is trailing in the match.}) 21... Nh3+ 22. Kg2 Nhf4+ 23. gxf4 Nxf4+ 24. Rxf4 exf4 (24... Qxf4 25. Qf3 $1 {gives Black an unpleasant choice. To trade queens or not to trade? Either way White will be happy.} Qh4 26. Qg3) 25. Nc2 {In terms of material Black is fine, but with the position being closed, the White knights get a lot of jumping potential. Leading the match by one game, Sergey decides to avoid unbalanced positions like this.} e5 ({Perhaps} 25... b5 {to open some files but then} 26. e5 $1 dxe5 27. Ne1 $5 {with the idea to blockade with the knights on e4 and f3. The position is totally chaotic.}) 26. Qg4 {and White is preparing to improve his kingside with h4 or Ne1-f3. At the very least he is not worse and could even be better.}) 21. Qh5 $5 {Again a very daring try by Magnus. He goes for the most risky but most rewarding continuation.} (21. f3 $1 {would be my preference. White is well on his way to consolidation. Knight sacrifices on f4 do not work, while the doubled e-pawns give Black eternal problems.} Rad8 22. Rae1 {I like White.}) 21... Ng5 {Sergey misses the draw! Just when he is close to it, he chooses another way.} (21... Nxf2+ 22. Kg2 (22. Kg1 Qg5 {wins a pawn with an easy tactic.} 23. Qxg5 Nh3+ {Check!} 24. Kg2 Nxg5 $17) 22... Qf7 $1 { Threatening ...Nf4 check.} 23. Kg1 {White prevents the check, and now Black has to find:} ({If White retreats with} 23. Qe2 {then} Nh4+ {and it's clear to see that it leads to a perpetual.} 24. Kg1 (24. gxh4 $2 Qg6+) 24... Nh3+ 25. Kh1 Nf2+) 23... Qf6 $1 {It's easy to miss this move. Black prepares ...Qg5 followed by ...Nh3 check, so White has nothing better than} 24. Kg2 (24. Ng4 Qg5) 24... Qf7 $11) 22. h4 {Magnus is so happy to be able to torture his opponent in a long endgame that he just went for it. According to online sources he spent less than half a minute on this move.} ({I don't blame him at all for wanting to squeeze the life out of Sergey in the endgame but} 22. Rae1 $1 {preparing Ng4, is even stronger. For example} Nf3 23. Ng4 Qg5 24. Qxg5 hxg5 25. Nxf3 Rxf3 26. Rd1 $16 {You may ask, what is worse than doubled pawns? Well. .. two sets of doubled pawns.}) 22... Nf3 23. Nxf3 Qxf3+ 24. Qxf3 Rxf3 25. Kg2 {Magnus' daring play starting from 19.Bxe6 has paid off. White has a very pleasant endgame advantage. The doubled e-pawns are a constant source of problems. I don't like Black's position.} Rf7 26. Rfe1 {This leaves the f2-pawn slightly vulnerable. Not that it matters though. White has an abundance of plans here.} ({I like} 26. Ng4 {forcing h5.} h5 27. Nh2 Nf8 28. Nf3 {Now White seizes the g5-square too.} Nd7 29. Rae1 {White is well on the way to converting his advantage.}) 26... h5 (26... Raf8 {can be simply met by} 27. Nd1 (27. Re2 {gives birth to} Nf4+ {ideas.} 28. gxf4 exf4) 27... h5 28. Re2 $14) 27. Nf1 {Finding ideal squares for his pieces is a piece of cake for Magnus.} Kf8 (27... Raf8 28. Re2 Rf3 29. Rd1 {with the queens off the board any tries by Black to attack will not be successful. So instead he tries to improve his king.}) 28. Nd2 Ke7 29. Re2 {Protecting f2. This is a very happy position. I had no doubt that White would be able to convert this position barring big blunders. It's got nothing to do with Sergey, Black's structure is simply bad.} Kd6 30. Nf3 Raf8 31. Ng5 Re7 32. Rae1 Rfe8 33. Nf3 {Besides all Black's problems, his knight is also a little misplaced on g6.} Nh8 $1 { Improving the position of the knight. Despite being at a disadvantage, Sergey hangs tough. The question for White now, is how to convert his advantage?} 34. d4 {A conversion of advantages. Magnus decides the time is ripe to blast open the center and endanger the position of the black king.} ({Personally I would prefer to leave Black with his doubled pawns and choose} 34. b4 axb4 35. cxb4 Nf7 36. a5 {with a clear advantage too, but sooner or later White has to find a way to break through.}) 34... exd4 35. Nxd4 g6 {Protecting the f5-square.} ({ A lesser wood pusher might go} 35... Nf7 {but then} 36. exd5 cxd5 37. c4 dxc4 { and the black king is caught in the middle of the crossfire.}) 36. Re3 { Threatening Rf3. Again White has an abundance of plans here. b2-b4 ideas are always in the air.} ({I like the subtle} 36. Nb3 $5 b6 37. Nd4 {with the idea of weakening c6 but perhaps it is too subtle for the most part.}) 36... Nf7 37. e5+ (37. Rf3 Ne5 38. Rf6 Rf7 {allows Black to defend, no problemo. After the exchange of his most active rook, White's chances to convert become much harder.} 39. Rxf7 Nxf7) 37... Kd7 38. Rf3 {Perhaps not the best but it is a normal move, especially when both players are relatively low in time.} (38. b4 {is more accurate, to prevent ...c5 ideas.}) 38... Nh6 $6 {Sergey also makes a natural consolidating move. If he can block the f-file with ...Nf5, then all well and good. However Black has better options here on move 38 though.} (38... c5 {looks good, to set the queenside pawns into motion. After} 39. Nb3 b6 40. Nd2 {Black still does not fully solve his problems however.} Nh8 $1 (40... Rg8 41. Rf6 {and the g6-h5 pawn chain will be quite vulnerable.}) 41. c4 (41. Rf6 Rf7 $1 {eliminates White's most active piece!}) 41... Rf7 {the programs show that Black is fine but it's hard for me to believe with the knight on h8. Also, it's almost impossible for a human to play ...Nh8 over the board.}) (38... g5 39. hxg5 Nxg5 40. Rf6) ({Or} 38... Rg8 39. Rf6 {but White still looks better here.}) 39. Rf6 Rg7 40. b4 {Now White is back on track.} (40. c4 $5 {is the complicated way to try to knock out Black. His king will be vulnerable in the center even in the endgame.}) 40... axb4 41. cxb4 $16 {Both players have finished the time trouble stage and now have an extra hour of thinking time. Compared to a few moves back, White has now managed to increase his advantage and gain firm control over the position. Black's dark-squares are very vulnerable and at the same time he has to think of ways to regain control over the f-file.} Ng8 ({If} 41... Nf5 {White simply retreats his knight to b3 or f3, and the pressure becomes untenable in conjunction with a power rook on f6.}) 42. Rf3 Nh6 43. a5 {Improving his position slowly but surely. Of course White avoids the repetition of moves!} Nf5 {.} 44. Nb3 Kc7 45. Nc5 $6 {Magnus starts to drift, probably because he has such a nice position.} ({White could have sealed the win with} 45. Rc1 {threatening b5. And if} Kb8 46. a6 {if the b7-c6 pawn chain falls then the last of Black's bastions are fallen.} Rc7 47. Rfc3 { A sample line of how the game can end:} bxa6 48. Rxc6 Rxc6 49. Rxc6 Kb7 50. Na5+ Ka7 51. Rc7+ Kb8 52. Rf7 $18 {Seventh rank, active pieces, later on active king, White has all the trumps that he needs. Black's position is crumbling.}) 45... Kb8 46. Rb1 Ka7 {Now there is no clean finish. However White is still clearly ahead.} 47. Rd3 Rc7 ({Trying to counter with a punch is too slow} 47... g5 48. hxg5 Rxg5 {After} 49. b5 $18 {Black cannot defend all his weaknesses (b7 and e6).}) (47... b6 {can be met simply by} 48. Na4 ({ Or even better:} 48. axb6+ Kxb6 49. Ra3 Ra7 50. Rxa7 Kxa7 51. Kf3 $16 {when the White king is really fast.})) 48. Ra3 Nd4 49. Rd1 Nf5 50. Kh3 Nh6 51. f3 { White has improved the position of his king in the past few moves and is now introducing the possibility of opening up the kingside with g4. Black can do nothing but sit and wait.} Rf7 52. Rd4 Nf5 53. Rd2 ({I like} 53. Rf4 {but then} Rh7 $1 {preventing g4, leaves the White rook immobile on f4.}) 53... Rh7 54. Rb3 Ree7 55. Rdd3 {This is one of Magnus' favorite strategies. He likes to wait patiently for his opponent to crack while slowly improving his own position. This worked well for him today.} ({But objectively now is the time to strike.} 55. b5 $1 cxb5 56. Rxb5 {Black cannot hold on to his b7 and e6-pawn for long. Perhaps Black can try} Ne3 {but then} 57. Rd3 Nc4 58. f4 { gives White all the time he needs to improve his position. Black's rooks are stuck defending pawns, which is never a good sign. Rooks are made for offense, not defense!}) 55... Rh8 56. Rb1 {Again waiting for the right moment. Just wait, just wait... Patience is a virtue.} Rhh7 57. b5 $1 {NOW!} cxb5 {.} 58. Rxb5 {Compared to move 55, the only change is that White's rook is on d3. Notice the difference? Black does not have Ne3-c4 now and his position crumbles quickly.} d4 59. Rb6 Rc7 60. Nxe6 Rc3 61. Nf4 Rhc7 62. Nd5 $1 { Simplification makes White's job easier. The rule of thumb is that when you are ahead in material you aim for trades and exchanges. Like in soccer, 11 players vs 10 players is harder than 5 players vs 4 players, and a 3 vs 2 game is a piece of cake. Chess is no different. When you are ahead in material, exchanges usually mean less complications = cleaner win.} (62. Rxg6 Rxd3 (62... Rc1 {gives White a choice between five different moves that win.}) 63. Nxd3 Rc3 64. Rf6 Ne3 65. Nf4 {and White's win should be easy. Contrary to appearances there is never any mate on h1, as White can always free his king with g3-g4. Meanwhile White is two pawns up.}) 62... Rxd3 63. Nxc7 {Some people didn't understand it at first, however if you put this position in a super computer it just gives +- 5.36, meaning White is more than five pawns up in a mathematical scale.} Kb8 64. Nb5 Kc8 (64... Rxf3 65. a6 {promotes the passed a-pawn.}) 65. Rxg6 Rxf3 66. Kg2 $1 {Activating the king. From here Magnus does not give Sergey any chance to escape.} Rb3 67. Nd6+ {Another exchange. Now it is 6 vs 5.} Nxd6 68. Rxd6 Re3 69. e6 ({Not} 69. Rxd4 $2 Rxe5 70. Ra4 Kd7 { when the Black king goes over to the kingside and secures the draw. The rook on a4 has become a mere spectator protecting the a-pawn.}) 69... Kc7 (69... d3 70. Kf2 $18) 70. Rxd4 Rxe6 (70... Re5 $5 71. e7 $5 Rxe7 72. Rd5 {does not change anything.}) 71. Rd5 $1 {The White rook attacks h5 while at the same time protecting his a-pawn.} Rh6 72. Kf3 {Sergey could safely have resigned here, but it does not hurt to make a few more moves. After all its not over until the king is mated.} Kb8 (72... b6 73. axb6+ Kxb6 74. Kf4 Kc6 75. Rd8 { White need not even calculate rook and single pawn endings because he can win the enemy pawn by force.} Kc7 76. Rg8 Kd6 77. Kg5 Rh7 78. Kg6 $18) (72... Kc6 73. Rf5 Kd6 74. g4 hxg4+ 75. Kxg4 $18 {also wins easily.}) 73. Kf4 (73. g4 hxg4+ 74. Kxg4 $18 {easy win.}) 73... Ka7 74. Kg5 Rh8 75. Kf6 {Magnus finally levels the match! This has been a great game and a great fight by both players. After choosing a modest line against the Berlin Opening, Magnus slowly improved his position and kept the game going. Black's knight looked a little shaky on h3 (perhaps 11...f5!?) and White managed to take advantage of this. The sequence from move 19-21 seems to me a little strange as Black allowed doubled-pawns and White gladly went for it and both sides developed interesting options. Perhaps 21...Ng5 was a crucial mistake as Sergey could maybe have made a draw with 21...Nxf2. But of course sitting at home, it is much easier to calculate than it was for the two fighters in New York. Having played nine long games in two weeks with all the attendant pressure, tension and drama, most certainly took a toll on both players. A World Championship match definitely requires levels of extraordinary endurance for anyone. Looking ahead with the score 5-5 I feel Magnus has good chances now in the match. He absolutely had to win today and he did. Tomorrow is a rest day, so both players can relax and prepare new ideas. I'm sure Sergey will try to put on the pressure in Round 11 and fight for a win with the white pieces (in Round 9 he got close!) If the match ends with two draws and a tie of 6-6 ensues, both players go to the tiebreaks with a shorter time control. Magnus may have the edge there although Sergey never fails to impress and surprise his fans.} 1-0 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C77"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "So,Wesley"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {After wining Round 10 both players are tied now 5-5 but I have a sneaking suspicion that Magnus is gaining in control. If he achieves two more draws and they end tied, it's clear he won't be unhappy with rapid playoffs. Sergey just hasn't played as much Rapid and Blitz recently ... but then again ... this is the powerful Sergey Karjakin ... so we could be very surprised. Okay two games left to go and this is Number 11.} 1. e4 {This first move is expected, as Sergey sticks to the type of positions that he knows the best - 1.e4 gives him the best results based on his previous games. At least here he achieves playable and fighting positions, which are not easy to get against a well-prepared Magnus. A good idea I'm sure, as Sergey tried serving with 1.d4 back in Round 7, but was worse as early as move 11.} e5 {Did you expect something else? Magnus replies with this almost 90% of the time lately, so obviously he feels at home with it. Garry Kasparov once advised that in important games it's best to stick to the opening in which you have the most experience.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {The Ruy Lopez may be the most classical opening in chess history, with references to it going all the way back to the year 1490.} a6 {Magnus' preference.} (3... Nf6 {was Sergey's choice in Rounds 3 and 10.}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 {The main line. Black wants to keep the tension. Magnus has already played like this in Rounds 2, 4, and 6 of the match, so I guess this is what I expected him to play today. Naturally he is hoping to outplay White again like he did in Round 4 and in general his results with Black here are very good. (Which is why I was surprised he went for 5...b5 in Round 9.)} (5... Nxe4 {leads to very forcing variations, where prepration and memory play a huge part. However, the problem is that Black has to play very exact moves, and chances to win are almost non existent.}) (5... b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 {was played in Round 9. But why is there a need for this when 5.. .Be7 is serving him well?}) 6. d3 {Aiming for a closed setup, White hopes for a long game and plenty of maneuvering and the reason White aims for the Closed Ruy Lopez these days, is because it has become increasingly difficult to gain anything in the Marshall Attack.} (6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 {is the starting position of the Marshall Attack. Black goes ...Bd6 and ...Qh4 next, gaining compensation for the sacrificed pawn based on the fact that White's queenside pieces are still undeveloped.}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 d6 ({I always thought that} 7... O-O {is slightly more accurate to keep open options of playing d7-d5 in one move, but still after} 8. Nc3 d6 9. a3 {it just transposes to the game anyway.}) 8. a3 {Reserving the a2-square for the bishop and controlling the b4-square.} (8. a4 {is an active alternative here and it leads to a slightly unusual position. I think the main difference is b4 is not controlled and Black may consider gaining space with} b4) 8... O-O 9. Nc3 Be6 {Clever Magnus! He never plays the exact same line twice in a row. Just when Sergey is ready to face 9...Na5 again, as in Round 2, Black chooses a different move.} 10. Nd5 (10. Bxe6 fxe6 {is an interesting possibility. Black has firm control of the center, but at the same time he has permanent doubled-pawns. Now I like the regrouping} 11. Ne2 {with the idea of preventing any kingside attacks by posting a knight on g3. Not sure if going for quiet positions like this is enough to beat the World Champion though.}) 10... Nd4 {This move is well-known as Black's best here. It was first played by Peter Svidler of Russia back in 2013. I myself remember spending many, many hours of analysis work on this move back in 2014 (how fast time flies) however, not ever really being able to use it. After that, I decided not to waste so much time on lines that have a low chance of appearing in my games. I sometimes think perhaps that's what Magnus does as well. He knows how to be time-efficient. In this regard Anatoly Karpov is a good example, as he is well-known for being the most practical of the World Champions. He didn't really spend hundreds of hours researching the openings, but instead focused on the skill of selecting and absorbing new ideas. Anyway let's go back to the game.} (10... Bxd5 {is not recommended as in general you shouldn't give up your bishop pair at an early stage of the game. After} 11. exd5 Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Bd2 {White is slightly better.}) ({If} 10... Na5 {White does not retreat his bishop, but instead goes} 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 {when the doubled e-pawns give him a head start.} 13. b4 Nc6 14. c3 $14 {White is much better.}) 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Nxf6+ {I was a little surprised to see this move, which is thought to be harmless, appear in this game.} ({In my notes I had} 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Bg5 {as the most critical and the only way to trouble Black. For example:} Bxb3 (13... c5 14. f4) 14. cxb3 h6 (14... Rac8 15. b4 c5 16. f4) 15. Bh4 {The pin is highly unpleasant and after} Qe6 16. f4 {White has chances for an attack on the kingside.} c5 (16... Nd7 17. f5 Qe5 18. b4 $14) 17. b4 Rfe8 (17... Rac8 18. Rc1) 18. f5 $5 (18. Rc1 Rac8 19. Re1 c4 $13) 18... Qe5 19. Bg3 Qe7 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. e5 Nd5 22. f6 Qe6 23. fxg7 Ne3 24. Qd2 Nxf1 25. Rxf1 $13 {with a really complicated position. It's very possible though that my notes are outdated. However it seems to me that Black still has to play extremely accurately to equalize.}) 12... Bxf6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. f4 {Sergey makes a natural move, while keeping all of his options open. Options such as Qg4, g4-g5, or Rf3-h3. White is basically up a pawn on the kingside right now (3 vs 2), so it is clear he should focus his attention there. But I thought that Black showed the way to equalize after two top level games played in 2013, when everyone was still using the chess engine 'Houdini' and computers and the Internet were significantly slower. In those two games, Black made easy draws.} (14. a4 c5 15. Qg4 Qd7 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bd2 c4 18. Bb4 Ra4 $1 {The best way to force exchanges.} 19. Rxa4 bxa4 20. dxc4 Rc8 21. Qg3 (21. Qe2 Qc6 $11) 21... Rxc4 22. Bxd6 Rxc2 $11 {Anand-Svidler, Alekhine Memorial 2013, and the game soon ended in a draw.}) (14. Qg4 Qc8 15. f4 e5 16. f5 c5 {Black has a 'pawn diamond' in the center and quick counterplay along the c-file. His king's position is quite shaky but White does not have enough time to exploit this.} 17. Bg5 (17. Rf3 c4 18. Rh3 Qe8 $13 {prevents Qh5, and prepares Rc8-c2.}) 17... Kh8 (17... c4 18. Bxf6 Rxf6 $11 {might be easier.}) 18. Rf3 c4 19. Rh3 (19. Raf1 {might be a possible improvement to allow defence of the 2nd rank later in some cases with R1f2.}) 19... Bxg5 20. Qxg5 Rf6 21. g4 cxd3 22. cxd3 Qc2 23. Rc1 Qe2 $1 24. Rc7 Qe1+ 25. Kg2 Qe2+ 26. Kg1 Qe1+ 27. Kg2 Qe2+ 28. Kg1 { 1/2-1/2 Leko -Caruana, Dortmund 2013.}) 14... c5 {Preparing queenside counterplay later with c5-c4.} (14... e5 {is an alternative, but perhaps Magnus didn't want to close the center right away. After} 15. f5 c5 16. Rf3 c4 17. Rh3 {looks quite scary for Black, and if} Qe8 18. g4 $5 {with some attacking chances.}) (14... Qd7 15. Qg4 c5 {just transposes to the game.}) 15. Qg4 (15. Rf3 c4 16. Rh3 {can simply be met by} Rf7 {to meet} ({Or} 16... Qd7) 17. Qh5 {with} g6) 15... Qd7 (15... Qc8 $5 {- Leko-Caruana, was a good option. Later after the opening of the c-file, a quick ...Qc2 is in the agenda. After} 16. Bd2 (16. f5 exf5 17. exf5 Be5 18. Qf3 Ra7 $13) 16... e5 17. f5 c4 {Black has sufficient counterplay.}) 16. f5 {Releasing the tension and allowing trades. I feel that Sergey no longer believes that White has much going on and decides to loosen up the position. After all, in the event of an endgame Black still has his doubled d-pawns to worry about (though it's hard for White to make use of his better pawn structure).} ({If White wants to keep fighting chances then perhaps he should go for 16.Bd2 or 16.Rf3. So here I can recommend for White} 16. Bd2 c4 {And now} 17. b3 (17. Rf3 c3 $1 18. bxc3 dxc3 19. Be3 d5 20. e5 Be7 21. Rh3 Rf7) 17... Rac8 18. h3 cxb3 19. cxb3 Rc2 20. Bb4 Be7 21. a4 {with a small advantage.}) (16. Rf3 c4) ({Or} 16. b3 c4 {and the overall position of the picture does not change.}) 16... Rae8 {Already, Black has more than one way to equality.} (16... exf5 {is just fine, to clarify the situation right away.} 17. exf5 (17. Rxf5 Rf7 18. Bd2 g6 $11) 17... Rae8 (17... Rf7 18. Bd2 Re8 (18... c4) 19. Rae1 Be5 20. Rf2 c4 $11) 18. Bd2 {and now} g6 { to eliminate White's spearhead.} 19. h3 (19. Bh6 Bg7 20. Bxg7 Rxf5 21. Rxf5 gxf5 22. Qg3 Qxg7 $11) 19... Be5 20. fxg6 Qxg4 21. gxh7+ Kxh7 22. hxg4 Bg3 $1 { and with control over the open file, Black should be able to play ...Re2 in the near future. Control of the 2nd rank should give him enough compensation for the pawn.}) ({Even} 16... e5 {although it's no longer necessary to go for a complicated middlegame.}) 17. Bd2 c4 18. h3 {Protecting the queen on g4 so he can take on f5 later with the rook. It also puts a pawn on a light-square to ensure that should they go into some deep endgame, Black cannot capture this h-pawn with his bishop.} (18. fxe6 Qxe6 19. Qxe6+ Rxe6 20. Bb4 Rd8 { followed by posting a bishop on e5, hence guarding his doubled-pawns. The endgame is level.}) (18. b3 exf5 19. exf5 Be5 (19... cxb3 20. cxb3 Re5 $11) 20. Rf2 cxb3 21. cxb3 Rc8 $11 {in general, Black's play is quite easy and he has many options to choose from in each move.}) 18... c3 $5 {The most unbalanced continuation. Black disrupts the coordination of White's queenside before he has the time to consolidate with b3 and a4.} ({Many paths lead to equality. A normal continuation would be} 18... Be5 19. fxe6 Rxf1+ 20. Rxf1 Qxe6 $11) ( 18... exf5 19. Rxf5 {and now Black just has to avoid} g6 $2 20. Rxf6 {when the white queen is protected.}) (18... e5 $13 {also gives an unclear position, but as I said, there is no more point to keeping the center closed, when Black has easier alternatives.}) 19. bxc3 d5 $5 {Perhaps trying to confuse White, but as usual, Sergey keeps his nerve.} (19... dxc3 20. Be3 d5 21. Bc5 Rf7 $11) 20. Bg5 {What follows now is another series of exchanges, where each side takes away material from the board consecutively.} ({The most obvious continuation is} 20. fxe6 {but after} Qxe6 21. Qxe6+ Rxe6 22. exd5 Re2 {White has some tricky problems to solve.} 23. Rf2 Rxf2 24. Kxf2 Bg5+ (24... dxc3 25. Be1 Rd8 $11 { is perhaps just equal too.}) 25. Ke2 Bxd2 26. Kxd2 Rf2+ 27. Ke1 Rxc2 {White's position looks scary, but according to the computer, White holds the balance with:} 28. c4 $1 (28. cxd4 $2 Rxg2 29. Kf1 Rh2 30. d6 Kf7 $19 {looks like a typical Carlsen grind.}) (28. d6 Kf7 {and the difference in the activity of the kings will be crucial.})) (20. c4 $5 {is fine, since the pawn on c3 was lost anyway. White now gets some stability in the center and after} dxc4 (20... dxe4 21. Bb4) 21. Bb4 Rf7 22. fxe6 Qxe6 23. Qxe6 Rxe6 24. Rf5 $11 {the ending is just equal.}) ({Though not} 20. exd5 exf5 21. Qf3 dxc3 22. Be3 {when White is slightly worse, as now it is he who has the doubled-pawns.} Re5 $15) 20... Bxg5 (20... dxc3 21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. exd5 exd5 23. a4 $11) 21. Qxg5 dxe4 22. fxe6 Rxf1+ 23. Rxf1 Qxe6 24. cxd4 e3 $5 {Perhaps trying to put psychological stress on the opponent. There is always pressure when you have to make a draw from a defensive point of view. Now instead of making natural moves, White has to remain alert so that the passed e-pawn does not become unstoppable.} ({Instead of 24...e3, Black has at least three ways to make a relatively easy draw.} 24... exd3 25. cxd3 Qe3+ (25... h6 26. Qc5 Qe3+ 27. Kh2 Qxd3 $11 {is another way.}) 26. Qxe3 Rxe3 27. Rd1 Re2 $1 {And because of the control of the 2nd rank and counterplay on the a3-pawn, Black makes a draw by straightforward moves.} 28. Rc1 (28. d5 Kf7 29. Rc1 Ra2 $11) 28... Ra2 29. Rc3 Kf7 $11) ({Or} 24... Qd6 25. Qc5 (25. Qe3 Qxa3) 25... Rd8 26. Qxd6 Rxd6 27. dxe4 Rxd4 28. e5 Re4 29. Rf5 Re3 $11 {as they say, all rook endings are drawn.}) 25. Re1 (25. Qg4 Qe7 26. Qf3 $11) (25. d5 $6 {is an example of how things can go wrong for White.} Qb6 26. Re1 e2+ 27. Kh1 Qf2 28. Qd2 Re3 29. d6 Kf7 {and there are some problems with the white king immobile in the corner.}) 25... h6 (25... e2 26. Qd2 g6 27. Qf4 (27. d5 $11) 27... Qe7 28. Qd2 $11) 26. Qh5 e2 27. Qf3 a5 $5 { Pushing the a-pawn one step closer to promotion, just in case a pawn race happens down the line. Is Magnus still trying to win? Surely he's hoping for Sergey to make a small mistake or better, a major blunder, but really that doesn't happen often. Also, Black's problem is that his king lacks a fortress, meaning it is going to be hard to escape from queen checks later on.} ({ Almost all moves lead to a draw now.} 27... Qd6 28. Rxe2 Qxd4+ 29. Kh1 Rxe2 30. Qxe2 Qa1+ 31. Kh2 Qxa3 $11) 28. c3 (28. d5 Qe5 (28... Qe7 29. d6 Qxd6 30. Rxe2 $11) 29. d6 $11) 28... Qa2 {Protecting the e2-pawn while at the same time threatening to take the guy on a3, or play ...Qd2, attacking the rook on e1.} 29. Qc6 $1 {But Black's queen escapade has left his rook and king a little vulnerable too.} Re6 (29... Re7 30. Qc8+ Kh7 31. Qf5+ {Hoping for perpetual check.} g6 32. Qf8 $11 {There is no way for Black to make progress, as he cannot attack and defend at the same time.}) 30. Qc8+ ({Now is not the time to grab pawns:} 30. Qxb5 $2 Qd2 31. Qb1 Qxc3 $17 32. d5 Qd4+ 33. Kh2 Qxd5 $17 { and White's greed has got him nothing but trouble.}) 30... Kh7 31. c4 Qd2 32. Qxe6 Qxe1+ 33. Kh2 Qf2 34. Qe4+ {Draw. A quiet but well-played game by two experienced players. Today they decided to go for the Closed Ruy Lopez with 6. d3. Sergey played the same moves as in Round 2, but Magnus decided to deviate with 9...Be6 just in case his opponent had prepared something vicious against his pet line with 9...Na5. What followed after 9...Be6 was a series of liquidations, with each player trading three minor pieces each, though Black had to accept doubled d-pawns. Moves 14-16 were critical to see if White could prove an advantage, but in the end Sergey decided to release the tension with 16.f5. What followed was a series of exchanges and with Magnus even trying to spice up the game a bit with 18...c3!? and 19...d5!? Sergey held fast, exchanged a few more pieces, and in the end the game never really left the boundaries of equality. Tomorrow is the last round and let's see if Magnus' sister's prediction that he will win his last two White games comes true. Maybe this game is just the deep breath before the explosion.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +2-2=10"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.28"] [Round "12"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2857"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "Seirawan,Y"] [PlyCount "60"] [EventDate "2016.11.11"] [EventType "match"] [EventRounds "12"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {While both players have much to lament, each receiving a sympathetic ear, let's face it: The arbiters have been brilliant. They have been out of sight and nary a word about them has been spoken. Out of the spotlight they have treble checked that bane of all chess players - the clock. The battery is functioning (good), the time control has been set to the right one (very good), the board and pieces have been set up correctly (most excellent). And so it all comes down to this: After eleven hard fought games the twelfth and final game would be played for all the marbles. I wanted to describe the situation as high drama. But my 'Spidey sense' began to tingle as I considered the word. Blessed with a heightened sense of caution I decided to look up the current definition of the word. You see the English language changes. Nearly every day in fact. Just like the FIDE rules committee that loves to change the rules of chess, so to do the committees that define words in the English language. It can get pretty confusing. To assuage my internal warnings I double-checked and learned something new while bringing myself up-to-date: drama: Top definition: "Something women and especially teenage girls thrive on. Consisting of any number of situations that have an easy solution, which would bring a fairly good outcome, but these girls choose another, shitty, bad way to deal with it, again consisting of backstabbing, blackmailing/gossiping/ betraying their friends, or the all-too-common, "I want to break up with him but I still love him!" It drives men and what I like to call "normal" girls nuts." Urban Dictionary. Hmm. Right. Just as expected a surprising change. Oh boy, I'm already in trouble and this is before annotating move one. Somehow, I can't quite put my finger on it but the (for me) new definition just feels a tiny bit to be politically incorrect. I confess I'm not the most astute in such matters. Therefore, let us put high drama aside for a moment and instead set up the situation from a different point of view... Many fans and even non-fans have asked me the question, "What makes one grandmaster stronger than another?" A fair question. Once when describing himself against his colleagues World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik saw himself, "As first amongst equals." It seems the top grandmasters know all the various chess skills and instead to find an answer to such a question we should consider the intangibles: Confidence; ambition; determination; good health; a supportive team; good food; a strong stomach; a working internet connection; staying regular and other key factors. The twelfth game would require a supreme effort by both players featuring nerves of steel coupled with boundless energy. They would before the gong imagine a long, hard fought game where conquering their nerves and remaining calm at those crucial moments is vital. They would review their preparation to the best of their abilities while hoping to out-calculate their opponent in the heat of battle. Doing all the things that grandmasters do so well. But there is another intangible to consider as well: At such a moment are you capable of getting a good night's sleep? Don't laugh. It is an important question. Imagine yourself in the role of Challenger Sergey Karjakin. You are to have a career defining moment. An opportunity to become World Chess Champion. A dream come true. With so many thoughts and emotions racing through your mind, will you be able to recharge your battery for the biggest contest of your life? But which player is carrying the bigger pressure? Same questions for Magnus Carlsen, the World Champion. Experts, pollsters and fans had all been unanimous predicting an easy match win. They were stone-cold wrong. Lucky to be at a level score, what risks should Magnus take to try to clinch the match? To go all in as White in the final game? As did Veselin Topalov with White against Viswanathan Anand in 2010? A decision which cost him the match... So many questions. So many worries and all you really want is to rest and recharge your battery. To sleep peacefully with pleasant dreams of victory. Perhaps such an ability, that one, to cast aside your concerns and get a good night sleep, is what makes one grandmaster stronger than another? Before the battle commenced, I wondered, would we see a real drama? Wait, now I'm certain that's not the word I want to use. In this preamble I've got it all wrong entangling myself in knots. I think National Basketball Association legend Michael Jordan said it best at such moments, "Go out and just enjoy the game. Don't think about the consequences. If you do, you'll freeze."} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O {A first indication that perhaps the "decisive" final Classical game in the match might not be all that decisive after all.} ({ For Game 10, Magnus played} 4. d3 {keeping all the pieces on the board.}) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {Uh oh. The second indication the game is about to fizzle out.} Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 {Not repeating Game 3, where Magnus tried:} (10. Re2 $5 {A move that didn't promise much but almost brought him great success.}) 10... Re8 {All according to modern theory as well as strategic principles. The e-file is open and therefore the chopping block for the major pieces.} 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 {The first moment of "excitement" quickly passes. I'm a notorious pawn-grabber but the d4-bait is poisonous:} (12... Bxd4 $6 13. Bxd6 cxd6 (13... Bxb2 $4 14. Bxc7 {simply wins for White}) 14. Nc3 {When I much prefer White's position. Black has difficulties developing while White's moves play themselves:} Rb8 15. Rd1 Be5 16. Nd5 {White's initiative is getting serious.}) 13. c3 d5 14. Bd3 g6 { Practice has proven that the symmetry in the position is hard to crack. With a draw being the most likely result.} 15. Na3 $6 {A confounding move. After all, where is the knight heading? I will certainly not claim that after the standard:} (15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Qe2 c6 17. Re1 Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Nb3 {It is all "blue sky" for White. Truly, there is not much in the position but the chances for a pull lay in this direction.}) 15... c6 16. Nc2 Ng7 17. Qd2 { This one also had me perplexed. Trying my best to channel my "inner Magnus" I wrongly thought his knight maneuver was designed to cover the f5-square:} (17. Ne3 {seemed to be his intended follow-up. True, it does stop Black's ...Bc8-f5 plan but allows another in its stead:} Nh5 $1 18. Bh6 Bg5 19. Bxg5 Qxg5 { with a knight coming to the f4-square Black has solved all his opening problems.}) 17... Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Ne3 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Qe7 21. Qxe7 Bxe7 { The mutual hacking continues. The board is nearly empty. Just one last trade along the chopping block remains.} 22. Re1 Bf8 {I'm sorely tempted to give this move an exclamation mark. After all I'm a paid commentator and I have to earn my keep. That would make one for the whole game. In truth Black had a perfectly decent alternative as well.} (22... Re8 {Grandmasters do not make such moves: Walking into a "self-pin." However, there is no way for White to exploit the moment:} 23. Bg5 Kf8 24. Bh6+ Kg8 {Black is ready to play: ... f7-f6, and ...Kg8-f7, releasing the pin, with the time honored ritual of signing the scoresheets to follow.}) 23. Kf1 f6 24. g4 {This bold thrust does not hold the promise of a vicious attack, so hold the trumpets. Actually it is actually quite safe.} Kf7 25. h3 $1 {At last, I'm in a generous mood, "Give the man an exclam!" The text shows "understanding." In a bishop ending, pawns should be on the opposite colored squares from the bishop. The text also insures against adversity: The possibility of blundering a pawn is greatly reduced.} Re8 26. Rxe8 Kxe8 {The tasks along the chopping block have all been completed. The play must continue until move thirty. At least.} 27. Ke2 Kd7 28. Kd3 Ke6 29. a4 a6 30. f3 Be7 {Draw agreed. Oh boy. My preamble was longer than my notes to the game. Likely for good reasons. I'll leave it to other more gifted writers to share their thoughts on this downer. Instead, I'll just boldly state the obvious: A very disappointing conclusion to an intense World Championship match. Such games do not kindle interest in our glorious sport. Maybe I pegged it right after all? Perhaps Magnus did not get enough sleep? Now another rest day follows and on Wednesday the tension will be at its zenith as the title of who will be World Chess Champion will be decided by tiebreaks.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin Tiebreak"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.30"] [Round "1"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C77"] [WhiteElo "2772"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "Navara,D"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2016.11.30"] [EventType "match (rapid)"] [EventRounds "4"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {The match had been very tense. Many people including me expected Magnus to be a clear favourite, but Sergey and his team prepared excellently. The tie-break was eagerly awaited by the chess world.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 O-O 9. Nc3 Nb8 {This might have been a little surprise. Magnus had already tried} (9... Na5 10. Ba2 Be6) ({and} 9... Be6 {in the previous games of the match, both times equalising without too many problems.}) {On the other hand, the knight retreat has already been played many times. Wesley So adopted it twice. The idea resembles the Breyer line in Classical Ruy Lopez. In both lines Black retreats the knight to enable the advance of his c-pawn. On the other hand, there are some differences as well. In the Breyer, Black's knight might be better placed on d7 and its removal from e4 increases the pressure against e4 and forces White to make some concessions like removing his bishop from the a2-g8 diagonal by playing Bb3-c2. Here the knight mostly comes back to c6, preventing the advance d3-d4 and getting space in the centre. This is also often the main idea behind the Nc6-a5 sortie in various anti-Marshall lines.} 10. Ne2 ({The remarkable game Anand - So saw} 10. Ng5 Nc6 $1 11. Ba2 Nd4 12. Ne2 Nxe2+ 13. Qxe2 h6 14. f4 $5 hxg5 (14... exf4 15. Nf3 g5 16. g3 fxg3 17. h4 $44 {Anand}) 15. fxg5 Ng4 16. g6 $44 {1-0 (45) Anand,V (2791)-So,W (2788) Shamkir 2015 CBM 166 [Anand,V]. White went on to win, but Black could have equalised in the opening.}) (10. a4 b4 11. Nd5 {also looks logical, but Black should be able to equalise after} Nxd5 12. Bxd5 c6 13. Bb3 Nd7 14. d4 (14. Be3 $5) 14... a5 15. dxe5 dxe5 {1/2-1/2 (31) Caruana,F (2820)-So,W (2762) Wijk aan Zee 2015}) 10... c5 11. Ng3 Nc6 12. c3 { The advance d3-d4 could hardly bring White anything tangible, but this little move is useful anyway. Taking the d4-square under control might enable the manoeuvre Nf3-h4-f5 later on. True, this often fails to ...Nxe4 and ...Bxh4, but Black must be ready to meet White's activity on various parts of the board. } Rb8 {Nimzowitsch would probably like this mysterious rook move. Black slightly improves his rook, foreseeing the opening of the b-file. The Rf8 and Bc8 are placed well, protecting f7 and f5 respectively.} (12... Be6 {was also an option, but} 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. b4 {leaves White's pawn structure somewhat more flexible.}) 13. h3 (13. d4 {was not a great idea in view of} cxd4 14. cxd4 Bg4 {. On the other hand, now it becomes a serious option.}) 13... a5 {Black would like to play a5-a4, fixing White's queenside pawns.} ({The advance} 13... d5 $6 {is hardly recommendable, as it creates too many weaknesses after} 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Re1 f6 16. Nh4 g6 17. Bh6 Re8 18. Nf3 $36 {.}) 14. a4 ({The advance} 14. d4 a4 15. Ba2 {not only generates some pressure in the centre, but also weakens the c4-square.}) 14... b4 {Black has weakened the c4-square, but White can hardly exploit it.} 15. Re1 {Nimzowitsch would be pleased again.} ({It looked tempting to prepare the f2-f4 advance by means of} 15. Nh2 { , but this enables} bxc3 16. bxc3 d5 {.} {White can play} 17. Ng4 {, but it does not give him an edge.}) (15. Nh4 $6 Nxe4) 15... Be6 16. Bc4 {The opening has been a moderate success for White, who has more prospects of active play. Both d3-d4 and Nf3-h4-f5 might be unpleasant for Black later on, though not now.} ({After} 16. Bxe6 fxe6 {White's pawn structure would remain a bit more flexible, but there is a big question about where to play. As the game showed, Black is ready for the d3-d4 advance. On the other hand, White can hardly create active play on the kingside.}) 16... h6 (16... Bxc4 $6 17. dxc4 { would weaken the f5- and d5-squares.}) 17. Be3 ({Komodo suggests} 17. Bb5 { , e.g.} Qc7 $6 (17... Na7 18. c4) 18. Nh4 Na7 19. Bc4 {with an edge for White. The control of the f5-square might indeed be important. The text is simple and good.}) 17... Qc8 {Black keeps an eye on f5 and can occasionally push d6-d5.} 18. Qe2 ({The pawn sacrifice} 18. Nh4 $5 Nxe4 19. Bxe6 $1 Qxe6 20. dxe4 Bxh4 21. Nf5 Be7 22. Qd5 Rbc8 {would bring White compensation for the pawn, but not more.}) 18... Rd8 19. Bxe6 fxe6 $6 (19... Qxe6 {was entirely playable, but Magnus prefered to protect the f5-square.}) 20. d4 ({White could also prepare the pawn advance by means of} 20. Rad1 {.}) 20... bxc3 21. bxc3 cxd4 22. cxd4 exd4 23. Nxd4 $6 ({Komodo rightly prefers} 23. Bxd4 $1 $14 {, when Black could have problems with his exposed pawn structure. He can hardly exchange the minor pieces, as} Nxd4 $6 24. Nxd4 {would leave his pawns on a5 and e6 rather vulnerable.}) 23... Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Rb4 {Now Black gets enough counterplay.} 25. Rec1 Qd7 26. Bc3 Rxa4 27. Bxa5 {The position is drawish after the elimination of the queenside pawns.} Rxa1 28. Rxa1 Ra8 29. Bc3 Rxa1+ 30. Bxa1 Qc6 31. Kh2 Kf7 32. Bb2 Qc5 33. f4 Bd8 34. e5 (34. Qd1 {was a bit more tricky, as} Bb6 ( 34... Qb4 {is safer}) 35. Bxf6 Kxf6 {allows} 36. e5+ $1 Ke7 37. Ne4 {Still,} Qe3 38. Qxd6+ (38. exd6+ Kd8 $11) 38... Kf7 39. Qd7+ Kf8 {gives Black sufficient counterplay.}) 34... dxe5 35. Bxe5 Bb6 36. Qd1 Qd5 37. Qxd5 Nxd5 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin Tiebreak"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.30"] [Round "2"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2772"] [Annotator "Navara,D"] [PlyCount "167"] [EventDate "2016.11.30"] [EventType "match (rapid)"] [EventRounds "4"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. a4 ({GM Alexey Kuzmin has recently analysed} 6. c3 d5 {in his review and came to the conclusion that Black can equalise without too many problems.}) 6... a6 ({I wonder whether} 6... d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Nbd2 ({or} 8. Re1 {is really better for White, but at least it leads to a relatively unexplored position which Magnus had undoubtedly analysed.})) 7. c3 d6 (7... d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. a5 {was played in Karjakin - Giri and a few other games.}) 8. Re1 Ba7 (8... Ng4 9. Re2 {brings Black nothing} Kh8 10. h3 Nh6 (10... f5) 11. d4 $16) 9. h3 Ne7 {The knight goes to a better square.} 10. d4 Ng6 11. Nbd2 c6 {Now White has to reckon with d6-d5.} 12. Bf1 {Black has equalised, but the position remains complex.} a5 { This move is questionable, as the a5-pawn might become weak after Nd2-c4.} ({ It might have been better to play} 12... Be6) ({or} 12... Re8) 13. dxe5 $1 { White correctly assumes that the control of the c4-square might bring him some initiative.} (13. b3 {was also possible, but} Qc7 14. Qc2 Be6 15. Nc4 $6 { is not to be recommended in view of} exd4 16. cxd4 d5 17. exd5 Bxd5 {, when Black obtains comfortable play.}) 13... dxe5 (13... Nxe5 $5 {was not bad, either.}) 14. Qc2 Be6 15. Nc4 Qc7 16. b4 axb4 {This does not equalise, but the alternatives did not look any better.} ({The computer shows that} 16... h6 $1 { was fully playable, as} 17. Nxa5 c5 {gives Black full compensation, but this is very hard to realise and evaluate correctly.}) 17. cxb4 b5 18. Ne3 $1 bxa4 19. Rxa4 Bxe3 (19... h6 $14) 20. Bxe3 ({My silicon friend pleads for} 20. Rxe3 Rxa4 21. Qxa4 $14 {, but Magnus had his own idea. A good one.}) 20... Rxa4 21. Qxa4 Nxe4 22. Rc1 Bd5 23. b5 cxb5 {Sergey choses a radical solution. His position was far from easy.} (23... c5 {leaves Black a pawn up, but White's passed pawn and his bishop pair outweigh the minimal material disadvantage.} { White remains somewhat better after both} 24. Bc4 ({and} 24. Qc2 Qb7 25. Nd2 { , even though there remain some issues.})) (23... Qd6 24. b6 $1 {is also unpleasant for Black.} (24. bxc6 Rc8 25. Bb5 Ne7 {might lead to an exchange of the c6-pawn for the e5-pawn. The resulting positions should be easy to hold.})) (23... Nd6 24. b6 $14) 24. Qxe4 $1 Qxc1 25. Qxd5 Qc7 26. Qxb5 $16 {The smoke has cleared. White has a minimal material advantage and can play for the win without any risk. His bishop pair is really powerful, whereas Black's rook is not so useful when the play goes on the kingside only. I believe that very few people would be able to save such a position against Magnus. Unlike his opponent, Sergey was already short of time. He deserves credit for his tenacious defence.} Rb8 {.} 27. Qd5 Rd8 {70} 28. Qb3 Rb8 29. Qa2 h6 30. Qd5 Qe7 31. Qe4 Qf6 32. g3 Rc8 33. Bd3 (33. h4 $1 {might have been slightly stronger, as} Qc6 34. Qxc6 Rxc6 35. h5 Ne7 36. Nxe5 {leaves more pieces on the board, which should favour White. It is easy to recommend this with the engine, but quite hard to play such a position accurately in a rapid game.}) 33... Qc6 $1 { The queen swap would help Black to release the tension and to protect his king. } 34. Qf5 (34. Qxc6 Rxc6 35. Bxg6 Rxg6 36. Nxe5 Ra6 {looks tenable for Black. A similar endgame appeared in a recent game Nisipeanu - Kramnik. The top Russian player pressed hard with his bishop and knight against the rook, but eventually had to agree to a draw. The Karjakin - Anand game from the Candidates Tournament 2014 in Khanty-Mansiysk also comes to one's mind.}) 34... Re8 (34... Rd8 $1 35. Be4 Qc8 36. Qh5 Qe6 {(Komodo) might have been more accurate, but it would be unfair to criticise Sergey for omitting this.}) 35. Be4 (35. h4 $5 Qe6 36. Qe4 $1 {was a serious option.}) 35... Qe6 36. Qh5 Ne7 $5 {This was a clever defence. I consider it a good practical decision, but you might disagree with me.} 37. Qxe5 $6 {This is tempting but not the best. With the queens off the board, Black can probably hold.} (37. Bh7+ Kh8 38. Bd3 Kg8 39. Qxe5 $6 (39. Ng5 $1) 39... Qxe5 40. Nxe5 Nf5 $1 41. Bxf5 (41. Bf4 $6 Nd4 { also leads to further exchanges.}) 41... Rxe5 {was similar to the game.}) ({ The strongest continuation was} 37. Ng5 $1 Qc4 38. Bd3 Qd5 39. Be4 $1 ({Even} 39. Nxf7 Ra8 40. Nxh6+ $1 gxh6 41. Bb1 $16 {is quite dismal for Black.}) 39... Qc4 40. Bh7+ Kf8 41. Ne4 Qe6 (41... Ra8 42. Kh2) 42. Bc5 $1 {and Black can hardly resist White's attack.} (42. Nc5 Qd5 43. Qxe5 $5 {is nice but less convincing:} Rc8 (43... Qxe5 $4 44. Nd7#) 44. Qc3 $6 f5 $1)) 37... Qxe5 38. Nxe5 Ng6 $1 39. Bxg6 (39. Nxg6 $6 Rxe4 {was less promising, as it is hard to attack Black's kingside pawns.}) 39... Rxe5 40. Bd3 {White's bishop pair is really powerful, but it is questionable whether it can successfully attack Black's kingside pawns. White might attack the weakest pawn with his king and one of his bishops, but Black can defend it with his two pieces. White would need to use his second bishop to cut off the rook from the weakest pawn, but this is easier said than done. I cannot tell you whether the position is drawn or winning, as it is still fairly complex.} f6 {Sergey probably takes the correct decision. During the game I expected h6-h5 and g7-g6, but the f7-pawn would not be any safer than the g7-pawn in the game. Apart from that, Black would need to reckon with White's king's penetration through g5 or with the pawn break f2-f4-f5.} 41. Kg2 {The g7-pawn is really hard to reach. White probably needs to put his bishop on f8. He would like to push his opponent's king on to h8, move his king to g6, bishop to f8 and finally play Bf7 with the Black's rook on the 7th rank, but this is not easy to achieve. I guess that Black can prevent it. At least in the game he did.} Kh8 {Black refrains from making committal moves like g7-g5.} 42. Kf3 Rd5 43. Bg6 Ra5 44. Ke4 Rb5 45. h4 Re5+ 46. Kd4 Ra5 47. Kc4 Re5 48. Bd4 Ra5 49. Bc5 Kg8 50. Kd5 Rb5 51. Kd6 Ra5 52. Be3 Re5 53. Bf4 Ra5 54. Bd3 Ra7 (54... g5 $5 {deserved serious attention, here. True,} 55. Be3 gxh4 56. gxh4 Kg7 {The further weakens Black's position, but the pawn exchange could simplify the defence. I do not know whether 54... g5 is good or not. White might have avoided it.}) 55. Ke6 Rb7 56. Kf5 Rd7 57. Bc2 Rb7 58. Kg6 $1 {A great move. The king's activity is more important than the f2-pawn, here.} (58. Be4 {looks stronger, even though} Re7 59. f3 Kh7 $1 { considerably complicates White's further progress}) 58... Rb2 59. Bf5 Rxf2 60. Be6+ Kh8 61. Bd6 Re2 (61... Rg2 62. Kf7 {does not change much.}) 62. Bg4 $2 ({ As it turns out, White could win here:} 62. Kf7 Rc2 63. g4 $1 (63. Bf8 $2 Rc7+ 64. Kg6 f5 $1) 63... h5 $1 (63... Rc6 $2 64. Bf8 Rc7+ 65. Kg6 {followed by Bf7 would be simple.}) 64. gxh5 Rb2 65. h6 $1 gxh6 66. Bf8 Rb7+ 67. Kg6 Rh7 (67... h5 68. Bf7 $18) 68. h5 f5 69. Bc5 Rg7+ 70. Kxh6 Rh7+ 71. Kg6 Rg7+ 72. Kxf5 { This endgame is winning for White, even though he still needs to display good technique. But it is extremely easy to criticise the players, when one is equipped with modern technology. And it is very difficult to play such a position accurately. Do not expect me to tell you where Black made the previous mistake. I simply do not know.}) 62... Re8 {Now Black's position is tenable again.} 63. Bf5 Kg8 64. Bc2 Re3 65. Bb1 Kh8 66. Kf7 Rb3 67. Be4 Re3 68. Bf5 Rc3 69. g4 Rc6 70. Bf8 Rc7+ 71. Kg6 {White is threatening Bf5-e6-f7.} Kg8 $1 {The only defence.} 72. Bb4 Rb7 $2 (72... Rc6) ({or} 72... Kh8 {were called for.}) 73. Bd6 $2 (73. Be6+ $1 Kh8 74. Bf8 $1 {was winning, e.g.} f5 75. gxf5 Ra7 76. f6 gxf6 77. Bf7 {and Black can resign.}) 73... Kh8 (73... Rb6 $1) 74. Bf8 $1 Kg8 75. Ba3 (75. Bc5 $1 Kh8 76. Be6 Rb8 77. h5 Ra8 78. g5 $3 {gave White winning chances. I suspect Black can give up an exchange and save like in the game, but it is not so easy.} Ra5 $1 (78... hxg5 $2 79. h6 $1 gxh6 80. Be7 Rg8+ 81. Kxh6 Rg7 82. Bxf6 {is a study-like variation.}) (78... fxg5 $2 79. Bd4 $18) 79. gxh6 gxh6 80. Be7 Rg5+ 81. Kxh6 Rg7 $1 {and the final outcome remains unclear, unless you have access to 7-men tablebases.}) 75... Kh8 (75... Rb6 $1) 76. Be6 (76. Bf8 $1) 76... Rb6 77. Kf7 Rb7+ 78. Be7 h5 $1 {Sergey chooses the right moment to force a draw.} 79. gxh5 (79. g5 fxg5 80. hxg5 h4 $11) 79... f5 (79... Kh7 {was also sufficient.}) 80. Bxf5 Rxe7+ 81. Kxe7 Kg8 { This position is a theoretical draw. White would need to deprive Black's king of the squares g8 and h7 to force g7-g5 and then take the pawn en passant. However, it is not possible to protect g8 and h7 without attacking g7 as well, which leads to a stalemate after h5xg6 e.p. If White had two light-squared bishops, he could put one of them on g8 or h7 while defending it with the other one, thus winning. But this is clearly not the case.} 82. Bd3 Kh8 83. Kf8 g5 84. hxg6 1/2-1/2 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin Tiebreak"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.30"] [Round "3"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C77"] [WhiteElo "2772"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "Navara,D"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2016.11.30"] [EventType "match (rapid)"] [EventRounds "4"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 {The world champion repeats the continuation from the 2nd game.} 11. b4 ({Game 2 saw} 11. d4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Re8 13. Ra1 Nc4 { and Magnus equalised.}) 11... Nc6 12. Nd5 Nd4 {The position looks fairly symmetrical. The only difference being the placement of the bishops.} 13. Ng5 { White tries to exploit the vulnerability of Black's bishop.} (13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bb2 c5 {brings White little, for instance} 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. c3 Bxa2 17. Rxa2 Qe6 18. Ra1 dxc3 19. Bxc3 Nd7 $5 (19... c4 $5) (19... Rac8) 20. f4 f5 {. White's position looks more pleasant, but Black has no real problems.}) 13... Bxd5 {This was not forced, but the other moves were hardly better.} 14. exd5 Nd7 15. Ne4 f5 16. Nd2 ({My silicon friend also suggests an alternative} 16. c3 $5 fxe4 17. cxd4 exd3 18. Qxd3 exd4 19. Bb2 Bf6 20. Rae1 a5 (20... Ne5 21. Qd2) 21. Bb1 g6 22. f4 {with an edge for White.}) 16... f4 17. c3 Nf5 18. Ne4 { This move looks very natural, but it is hard to say where the knight should go. The computer's suggestion Nd2-b3-a5-c6 looks very optimistic to me, as White's king is not very well protected. Playing Re1, Nf3 and eventually d3-d4 might make sense, but Black can take some precautions against it.} Qe8 $1 {Black improves his queen.} 19. Bb3 Qg6 20. f3 {This move looks fairly natural to me. The threat of Nf5-h4 looked annoying. On the other hand, now the e3-square becomes weak, which Black masterfully exploits later on.} Bh4 21. a4 ({With hindsight} 21. Bd2 {looks better here or on the next move.}) 21... Nf6 (21... a5 $5) 22. Qe2 a5 $1 {This push changes the character of the play. The d4-square might become seriously weak.} 23. axb5 {This was probably a correct decision.} (23. bxa5 Rxa5 24. Ra2 {looks safer at first sight, but} Rfa8 { would be unpleasant for White anyway, e.g.} 25. Nxf6+ (25. axb5 $2 Rxa2 26. Bxa2 Nxe4 27. dxe4 Ng3 $1 {gives Black a decisive attack after} 28. hxg3 Bxg3 29. Rd1 Qh5 {.}) 25... Qxf6 26. axb5 $2 Rxa2 27. Bxa2 Ng3 $1 {and Black wins an exchange, as} 28. hxg3 Bxg3 {is just winning for Black.}) 23... axb4 24. Bd2 bxc3 25. Bxc3 Ne3 {Black could still wait with this move, as the knight also controlled d4 and g3.} 26. Rfc1 Rxa1 27. Rxa1 Qe8 28. Bc4 Kh8 29. Nxf6 Bxf6 ( 29... gxf6 $5 {was a serious option, but White's position would remain defensible after} 30. Bd2 $1 {.}) 30. Ra3 {The position has remained around equal.} e4 $1 {A great practical decision. Black exchanges his bad bishop, activates his major pieces and fortifies his knight's outpost on e3.} 31. dxe4 Bxc3 32. Rxc3 Qe5 33. Rc1 Ra8 (33... Qd4 $5 {was also an option. To prevent this, White could start with 33.Qd2. However,} 34. Kh1 Ra8 35. Ba2 $1 {still maintains equality.}) 34. h3 (34. Qd2 Ra1 35. Be2 {might have been more circumspect.}) 34... h6 (34... Ra1 35. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 36. Kh2 h6 {looks more pleasant for Black, but White's position is solid enough to resist.}) 35. Kh2 ( 35. Qd2 $1) 35... Qd4 36. Qe1 $6 (36. e5 $1 Qxe5 37. Bd3 {or}) (36. Ba2 { might still have sufficed for equality, but it is very hard to keep one's cool with the clock ticking.}) 36... Qb2 37. Bf1 ({Computers suggest} 37. Be2 $1 Ra2 38. e5 $3 {, for instance:} Qxe5 (38... Qxe2 $6 39. Qxe2 Rxe2 40. b6 $1 $11 { and the passed pawns save White.}) (38... dxe5 $6 39. d6 $1 cxd6 40. Rc8+ Kh7 41. Bd3+ g6 42. Rc2 $3 Qb3 (42... Nxc2 $4 {even loses to} 43. Qe4 $1) 43. Qh4 $1 Rxc2 44. Qe7+ Kg8 45. Qe8+ Kg7 46. Qxg6+ Kf8 47. Qxd6+ {with a perpetual.}) 39. b6 $1 Qg5 $1 (39... Nxg2 40. b7 Nxe1 41. b8=Q+ Kh7 42. Qb1+) 40. Qf2 Qg3+ $1 41. Qxg3 fxg3+ 42. Kxg3 Rxe2 43. bxc7 Rxg2+ 44. Kf4 Nxd5+ 45. Ke4 Nxc7 46. Rxc7 {with a drawish endgame. But this would be extremely difficult to find even in a classical game. We should not criticise Sergey for missing this. After all, most of us prefer human games to computer encounters, which might be far too incomprehensible for us mortals.}) 37... Ra2 38. Rxc7 $2 (38. Rb1 $1 {was a must. Black's position looks dominant after} Qd4 {, but White defends everything for the time being.}) 38... Ra1 {Magnus played an excellent game. He created such strong pressure, that even such a great defender like Sergey failed to cope with it.} 0-1 [Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin Tiebreak"] [Site "New York"] [Date "2016.11.30"] [Round "4"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B55"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2772"] [Annotator "Navara,D"] [PlyCount "99"] [EventDate "2016.11.30"] [EventType "match (rapid)"] [EventRounds "4"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "CBM 176"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {It is very hard to win with Black on demand. On the other hand, it not easy to play such a game with White, either. The subconscious desire to make a draw might lead to concessions and gradually to a deterioration of one's position. Magnus coped with this task excellently. He played for the win while not avoiding a possible move repetition, thus forcing Sergey to make further concessions.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Nb3 Be7 ( 6... d5 {is a decent move, but White should not have too many problems after} 7. Bg5 {.} {The main continuation} Be6 (7... d4 $5 {deserves serious attention. It has already been played by strong players like Vachier-Lagrave, Cheparinov and Navara. Black can achieve a double-edged position without making too many concessions.}) 8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. Qxd5 Bxd5 11. Nc3 {leads to an equal endgame which is fairly safe for White.}) ({There is a nice trap:} 6... a5 7. c4 $6 (7. Bb5+ Nc6 8. Nc3) 7... Nxe4 $1 8. fxe4 Qh4+ 9. Kd2 a4 {with Black's edge. To be honest, I failed to find 7...Nxe4 myself several years ago. But it would be too naive to expect Magnus to miss it.}) 7. c4 a5 {Now White's bishop cannot go to b5 anymore. Both sides have created considerable weaknesses in their camps, viz. the squares d4 (White) or b5 and d5 (Black).} 8. Be3 a4 9. Nc1 O-O 10. Nc3 Qa5 11. Qd2 Na6 (11... Be6 {might have been a bit more flexible. I would like to play Be7-d8-b6 to exchange the bad bishop, but White can probably prevent it. Black should rather play ...Rc8, attacking the c4-pawn.} 12. b3 $5 axb3 13. Nxb3 {might well be critical from the theoretical point of view.}) 12. Be2 Nc5 13. O-O Bd7 14. Rb1 Rfc8 15. b4 $1 {It is important to protect the c4-pawn. White opens the a-file, but Black's rook cannot penetrate.} axb3 16. axb3 Qd8 17. Nd3 $14 {White has achieved a pleasant position. His pawn structure is better and Black does not have adequate counterplay.} Ne6 18. Nb4 Bc6 (18... Nf4 $5 {might have been an option, the idea being} 19. Bxf4 Qb6+ ({or even} 19... exf4 20. Nbd5 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 g5 {Still, it is hard to imagine Black winning such a position. The text maintains more tension.}) 20. Be3 Qxb4) 19. Rfd1 h5 $1 {I like this decision. Black starts counterplay on the dark squares around White's king.} (19... Ne8 { followed by Bg5 might have been objectively better, but it led to a worse endgame after} 20. Nbd5 Bg5 21. Nb6 Qxb6 22. Bxb6 Bxd2 23. Rxd2 {.}) 20. Bf1 h4 21. Qf2 (21. Nbd5 Bxd5 22. exd5 Nf4 {might objectively be better for White, but giving up the control of the d5-square looks unnecessary.}) 21... Nd7 ( 21... Nh5 {allows both} 22. Ncd5 ({and} 22. Nxc6 bxc6 23. c5)) 22. g3 {The computer dislikes this move, but it is not easy to suggest anything better. Komodo's suggestion 22.Kh1 is too mysterious for me and} ({direct continuations like} 22. Nxc6 bxc6 23. b4 {also have their drawbacks, as the d4-square could eventually become weak after something like} c5 $5 {.}) 22... Ra3 $6 (22... Bg5 {might have been a better try. White had better not take the d6-pawn:} 23. Bxg5 (23. Rxd6 $6 Qf8 $1) 23... Qxg5 24. Rxd6 (24. Nc2 $1 $14) 24... Qe7 25. Rbd1 Nd4 26. R6xd4 $1 exd4 27. Ncd5 $13) 23. Bh3 Rca8 24. Nc2 R3a6 25. Nb4 Ra5 {Sergey bravely avoids the repetition, but his position remains worse.} 26. Nc2 b6 27. Rd2 Qc7 28. Rbd1 Bf8 29. gxh4 $5 {A somewhat surprising decision. White opens the kingside, as Black cannot exploit the weakness of the f4-square.} Nf4 30. Bxf4 ({The computer suggests} 30. Bxd7 Qxd7 31. Kh1 {and takes on f4 later, but White's continuation is also fairly strong. }) 30... exf4 31. Bxd7 $1 Qxd7 32. Nb4 Ra3 33. Nxc6 Qxc6 34. Nb5 Rxb3 ({ Black could hardly play for the win after} 34... Ra1 {.}) 35. Nd4 Qxc4 36. Nxb3 Qxb3 {White has a material advantage. It is not easy to convert, as his king is a bit exposed. On the other hand, Black's bishop is passive and his king is not safe, either.} 37. Qe2 Be7 38. Kg2 Qe6 39. h5 Ra3 40. Rd3 Ra2 41. R3d2 Ra3 42. Rd3 Ra7 43. Rd5 Rc7 44. Qd2 Qf6 (44... Qh6 45. Rf5 Rc5 46. Qxf4 Qxf4 47. Rxf4 Rg5+ 48. Rg4 Rxh5 {might have been a bit more tenacious, but it would have been equivalent to a resignation in the match.}) 45. Rf5 Qh4 46. Rc1 Ra7 47. Qxf4 Ra2+ 48. Kh1 Qf2 49. Rc8+ Kh7 {It looks as if Black were suddenly winning, but Magnus had foreseen everything and finished the match in style.} 50. Qh6+ $3 {and Black resigned before an inevitable mate. It was a fascinating conclusion to a very tense match. Sergey Karjakin deserves every credit for his strong play. He and his team prepared for the match excellently and could have won it. He showed that it is possible to play against Magnus on equal terms and that the Norwegian's throne isn't unshakeable. But I also believe that Magnus deserves the title. He has been the world's number 1 for many years and he is the strongest player in the world. He did not lose in the classical part of the match and eventually prevailed in rapid chess.} 1-0