CARLSEN HOLDS IN SICILIAN
After intense game one and two players had a rest day. There is no information about what they did, but we can say for sure it included many hours of preparation for the games to come. In game three Magnus had black pieces again, so it was Caruana’s time to try and score a win.
Game 3 report follows.
GAME COURSE
Just like in the game one, Caruana decided to stick to his favorite move – 1.e4. Carlsen replied with the same opening – Sicilian defense with 2. Nc6. He was the one who almost won so it doesn’t make sense to change the variation yet.
In the 6th move, Caruana was the one to make a deviation from the game one. He played 0-0 instead of h3. He didn’t only change the move order but he went into the middlegame with a completely different plan.
In this game, he played on the queenside rather than kingside like in game one. He pushed early b4 to make pressure on Carlsen’s c5 pawn. Even though Carlsen’s c pawns are doubled, they are quite strong.
Carlsen was very well prepared for Caruana’s plan and didn’t break a sweat to equalize. Already, in move 23, both rooks and queens came off the board and players entered a simple, equal endgame. Players played the endgame relatively fast and after it’s further simplification, they agreed to a draw in move 49.
GAME ANALYSIS
THE AFTERMATH?
The aftermath of this one is quite simple. Caruana didn’t succeed in having any advantage with white pieces. Carlsen is the moral victor in this game. Caruana has to ask himself is it time to change opening with white if he wants to have a chance in this match.
Carlsen is in a comfortable situation right now. He neutralized white pieces two times with ease.
In the next game, Carlsen is the one with white pieces. Let’s hope for an attractive game as always.