One of the most difficult and probably most important moments in a game is finding a right plan that suits your position and helps you improve it.
You have to assess the position, identify what you have to play for and what can be improved in your position and find the right move that helps you achieve your goal. There are many factors that have to be taken into consideration in these moments, from the pawn structure to the position of the pieces and weaknesses.
Magnus Carlsen has won 3-0 in the playoff and secures the World Chess Championship title until 2020! By winning in London he joins legends such as Wilhelm Steinitz and Alexander Alekhine with 4 classical WC titles. In all the games in the rapid, he proved his advantage. In game one Caruana could make a draw in the rook endgame after he managed to fight back almost lost position but then missed his chance.
The 12th game finished in a draw and the score is level after the regular twelve games. The tie-break will be played on November 28th. The first symbolic move in the 12th game was made by Aldo del Bo, Head of Global Partnerships and Sponsorships of Kaspersky Lab, in presence of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
Today was the last white game of the World Champion so many expected him to push for a win. Sadly it was the most boring game in the match. Carlsen’s opponent from 2016 Sergey Karjakin made the first move and he took everyone by surprise, didn’t even ask Carlsen and just played 1.b4.
Game 10 turned out to be one of the most entertaining so far in the match. Tom Hollander, the famous English actor, was the honored guest for the First Move today. Once again Carlsen has replied 1…c5. You have to give him credit for this, although many think it does not suit his style he is insisting with the Sicilian.
The news before the game was that Carlsen suffered an injury from soccer. His Doctor downplays Carlsen’s blackeye…didn’t think his injury sustained on the players’ day off would cause any problems when more serious play resumed Wednesday afternoon.
Daniel Weil, a partner at Pentagram, the world’s largest independently owned design studio, and designer of the chess board made the First Move today.
Game 8 finally offered excitement for the fans. For the first time, White had better preparation, better position and was almost winning with having more time on the clock than in the start of the game! And then Caruana has shown low confidence. Instead to make 3 good moves, which were looking not so hard to find he started to think a lot on simple moves, and then in a completely open position played h3?
Game 7 was seen as very important as this was the second white game in a row for the World Champion and it was expected he will find a way to have a better position from the opening and push for a win. But Carlsen again makes no progress with white against Caruana. He repeated the line from game 2 and then deviated with Nd2 instead Rd1. But instantly Caruana went Qd8 and just like Rd8 in game 2 again the World Champion was surprised.
The World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, and challenger Fabiano Caruana tied at 3-3 at halftime in the World Championship match in London. The match has started with Caruana playing white. He decided to go for Rossolimo line against Sicilian, something he was consistently repeating in all 3 white games without much success.
Game 6 ended in a DRAW. Carlsen played 1.e4 – Petroff Defense and Fabiano equalized pretty easily. Next, the thriller began. Magnus was playing below his potential, underestimated few moves and got himself into serious trouble. Around move 60 he had to put all his creativity into play and build a fortress saving the day. Although, Fabiano still had winning chances as computer found MATE-IN-30 in one instance. This game proves that even draws can be VERY exciting. Tomorrow is the rest day, the action will resume on Sunday! – Ed.
