Featured image credit: Niki Riga
A NEW RECORD
After Fabiano Caruana obtained a serious edge with the White pieces in game 8 of the World Chess Championship 2018, it was Magnus’ time to demonstrate he can do the same. Despite a football injury he suffered during the rest day, he (or his team) managed to do exactly so.
In the same variation of the English opening already featured in game 4, Carlsen went for a beginner-like idea of 9 Bg5 followed by 11 Bc1, which team Caruana had not anticipated. Magnus obtained vintage Carlsen position where he could play for the advantage without any risk.
However, an early advance of his h-pawn turned out to be premature. After taking it, Caruana managed to liquidate to a drawn endgame. Although Magnus’ continued to play for a while, the evaluation never changed. On move 56, the player shook their hands. The 9th draw in the row meant the players broke the record from the Kasparov – Anand World Chess Championship 1995, which saw „only“ 8 of them.
GAME COURSE
Before the game, on chess24 live broadcast, the new-commentator Anish Giri said it is hard to predict Magnus’ first move, since – in contrast to Caruana – his team doesn’t have a clear target.
In a way, he was right. After trying 1 e4 in game six and 1 d4 in game seven, Magnus decided to get back to the English opening with 1 c4. However, in contrast to Giri’s expectations, he didn’t do it out of despair. Caruana repeated the same variation with 6…Bc5 he played in game four (which is usually a risky business). When Carlsen played a very rare move 9 Bg5!?, it became clear his team actually HAD a clear target.
It became especially apparent when he retreated his bishop with 11 Bc1!? and followed it up with 12 Bb2!?. For the first time in a while, Caruana started thinking early in the opening and fell seriously behind on the clock.
In an unpleasant situation, he decided to take a practical decision. On move 17, he went for an exchange of the light square bishop for a knight, followed by an exchange of White’s d-pawn for Black’s b-pawn. The position with the heavy pieces and opposite coloured bishops was correctly evaluated by all the commentators as better for White. More importantly, Magnus’ made a career of converting such positions where his opponents don’t have a hint of a counterplay.
However, Black’s position was very solid. Magnus decided to go for the immediate advance of the h-pawn. When Caruana simply took it, it transpired this was premature. White’s king was also weakened. Subsequently, all the rooks got exchanged on the g-file and there was essentially nothing left to play for. Carlsen did push for a while (probably out of inertia), but the evaluation never budged.
On move 56, the players agreed to a draw.
GAME ANALYSIS
THE AFTERMATH?
As the caption below Magnus’ photo suggests – the match is heating up. Or more precisely – the tension is at its peak. Magnus’ haste in this game can probably be explained by his nerves. Had it been a regular tournament game, it is doubtful whether he would go for the immediate h5 push so soon.
In any case, there are only three games left. Team Magnus should have its reason for concern. He has two Black games left, and the Sicilian is an obvious target for team Caruana. The price of every game, the price of every move is critical and one good piece of opening preparation can basically win the match.
Three exciting chess days are in front of us, chess lover.