Friday, 24 December 2021

World Chess Championship Match 2018

Angelo Kesaris

1 hour and 11 minutes reading time (14146 words)

Chess Blog (English)

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The biggest moment of every chess player is to play a World Chess Championship (WCC). On November 2018 is taking place this event in which the current World Chess Champion, Magnus Carlsen is facing his challenger Fabiano Caruana.

Mikhail Tal, the 8^th World Champion, was born on November 9th, 1936 in Riga. He probably would have been happy to know that the 44^th WCM begun on his birthday. Let's see some statistics of these two great players, which are for sure the number one and two in the world.

In this sereas of videos you'll going to learn how Carlsen kept his World Chess Championship crown after 50 hours or play!

The Grandmaster title

Magnus was born on 30 of November 1990 and Fabi on 30 July of 1992. On April 2004 Magnus had 2552 ELO and Fabi 2140. On this year he becomes the 3^rd youngest Grandmaster (GM) in history.

In 2005, Caruana moves to Europe and plays under the flag of his mother's country, Italy. In 2007, it was his time to won the top chess title. At the age of 14 years old, 11 months and 20 days he becomes the youngest even Italian and US GM.

Break the barrier!

In January of 2006 Magnus break the barrier of 2600 ELO rating and Caruanna followed him at April of 2008. Mangus continues to raise his rating and on July of 2007 he managed to break 2700 barrier! Caruana also followed this achievement and he crosses 2700 ELO points at September 2010. However in the same year, 2010, Magnus was the number 1 ranking player in the World and since then he holds this position.

Caruana also manages to join the top elite of chess players in 2012; from number 17 moved to number 5.

Other big achievements

As we already know Magnus is holding the title since 2013. Fabi shocked the chess world with his unbelievable performance; starting the Sinquefild Cup with a stunning 7 game winning streak, including beating Carlsen. On May 2015 he is playing again with US Chess Federation.

Peak rating

Carlsen's best ELO is 2882 (!) ; which achieved on May of 2014. Caruana best ELO is 2844 on October 2014.

Older Encounters Between the Players

Match situation

The 12 game match organized by FIDE, the World Chess Federation, and its commercial partner Agon. The match took place in London at the College in Holborn between 9 and 28^th November 2018. It was the first time in chess history that all classical time control games have been drawn. Nonetheless, the games were very fighting and exiting. Both players had their winning chances. In the end, Carlsen won three games in a row in the tie-breaks and he kept his title.

Caruana qualified as challenger by winning the 2018 Candidates tournament; an eight player double round-robin tournament played in Berlin Germany on March from 10 to 28.

Match Regulations

The classical time control was 100 minutes for the first 40 moves, plus 50 minutes after the move 40. Another 15 minutes added after the move 60. Of course, the 30 seconds bonus applied from the first move.

Tie-Breaks

Four rapid games with 25 minutes plus 10 seconds.

If the rapid games had been tied 2–2, then the mini blitz games will take place. The player with the best score in any two-game blitz match would be the winner. The time control set to 5 minutes plus 3 seconds increment per move.

If the blitz matches drawn then one sudden death "Armageddon" game could decide the match. White receives 5 minutes and Black 4. Both players receive an increment of 3 seconds starting from move 61. White should win. With the draw, or if he wins, then the Black will win the match. The color will be decided by drawing of lots.

Prize fund

The total prize fund for the event was 1 million euros. The winner of the classical event would have been divided 60% vs 40% between winner and loser. In the tiebreaks, the split was at 55% vs 45%.

Classical Games

01. Caruana vs Carlsen ½-½ | (moves) 115 | (System) B31 Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation

02. Carlsen vs Caruana ½-½ | 49 | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined

03. Caruana vs Carlsen ½-½ | 49 | B31 Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation

04. Carlsen vs Caruana ½-½ | 34 | A29 English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto

05. Caruana vs Carlsen ½-½ | 33 | B31 Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation

06. Carlsen vs Caruana ½-½ | 80 | C42 Petrov Defense

07. Carlsen vs Caruana ½-½ | 40 | D37 Queen's Gambit Declined

08. Caruana vs Carlsen ½-½ | 38 | B33 Sicilian

09. Carlsen vs Caruana ½-½ | 56 | A29 English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto

10. Caruana vs Carlsen ½-½ | 54 | B33 Sicilian

11. Carlsen vs Caruana ½-½ | 55 | C42 Petrov Defense

12. Caruana vs Carlsen ½-½ | 31 | B33 Sicilian

Tie Breaks

13. Carlsen vs Caruana 1-0 | 51 | B40 Sicilian

14. Caruana vs Carlsen 0-1 | 28 | B33 Sicilian

15. Carlsen vs Caruana 1-0 | 55 | A22 English

The Match

Game 1

[Event "Fide World Chess Championship"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.11.09"] [Round "1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2832"] [BlackElo "2835"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "229"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. e4 c5 $5 {Normally in the World Championship Match, the players tend to play relatively solid openings because they don't like to take risks. On the other hand in the first game of the match, we can see a very strange opening, like Trompowsky which Magnus chose against karjakin in 2016. The reason behind it is to avoid the big theoretical preparation. Magnus would later say he wasn't 'in the mood for a draw', and that was clear early on as he played the Sicilian Defense.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { The Rossolimo Variation is the favourite weapon of the Challenger.} g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Nd7 { The idea is to play e5 or to perform the maneuver Nf8, Ne6, and Nd4.} (7... b6 {The move 7...b6 was played between the same opponents 3 years ago.} 8. Be3 e5 9. O-O (9. Nxe5 $6 Nxe4 10. Nxc6 (10. Qf3) (10. Nxe4) 10... Nxc3 11. Nxd8 Nxd1 12. Kxd1 Kxd8) 9... O-O 10. a3 Qe7 11. Qb1 Nh5 12. b4 f5 13. bxc5 f4 14. Bd2 bxc5 15. Qb3+ Be6 16. Qa4 Rac8 17. Qa5 g5 18. Na4 g4 19. hxg4 Bxg4 20. Qxc5 Qf6 21. Nh2 f3 22. Nxg4 Qg6 23. Qe7 fxg2 24. Rfb1 Qxg4 25. Qg5 Qe2 26. Qe3 Qg4 27. Qg5 Qxg5 28. Bxg5 Nf4 29. Bxf4 exf4 30. Kxg2 f3+ 31. Kf1 Rf4 32. c3 Rd8 33. d4 Bh6 34. Ke1 Rxe4+ 35. Kd1 c5 36. Kc2 cxd4 37. Kd3 Re2 38. c4 Rxf2 39. Rd1 Re2 { 0-1 Caruana,F (2820)-Carlsen,M (2862)/Wijk aan Zee 2015}) 8. Be3 (8. -- e5 ( 8... Nf8 9. -- Ne6 10. -- Nd4)) 8... e5 (8... b6 9. Qd2 h6 10. O-O e5 11. Nh2 g5 $13 {1/2 (44) Caruana,F (2787)-Nakamura,H (2793) Saint Louis USA 2015}) 9. O-O b6 10. Nh2 Nf8 11. f4 exf4 12. Rxf4 Be6 $5 {In order to overprotect the f7 pawn. Normally White will be going to double on f-file.} 13. Rf2 h6 {Grischuk:  "Such kinds of positions with lots of possibilities for both sides are somewhat beneficial to Magnus, because he's going to play much faster than Fabiano" He already senses time trouble ahead! Fabiano would later echo that comment in the post-game press conference: I was sort of familiar with the line, but it is a bit confusing because there are many different ways that Black can play and all moves more or less the same, and I couldn't quite remember exactly how I should play this position. Already I was trying to find some sort of idea after h6, unsuccessfully.} 14. Qd2 g5 {A very committal move because it leaves f5 and h5 holes but g6 is a nice square for the Knight and there are some possibilities to a Kingside attack.} 15. Raf1 Qd6 16. Ng4 { Caruana said: 'I played a bit too directly with Ng4. After I played it I immediatelystartedtoregretit'} (16. Nf3) (16. a4) 16... O-O-O 17. Nf6 Nd7 18. Nh5 Be5 19. g4 { This is another very committal move in order to stop g4 by Black.} f6 $15 20. b3 Bf7 21. Nd1 {Diagram #} Nf8 $5 (21... Kb7 22. c3 Bxh5 23. gxh5 Qe7 24. Qe2 Rhg8 $17 { With the idea to play Nf8-Ne6 and then to continue his attack in the kingside.} ) (21... Bxh5 $5) 22. Nxf6 Ne6 23. Nh5 Bxh5 24. gxh5 Nf4 (24... Bf4 $5) 25. Bxf4 gxf4 $5 $44 {Black has better potential for his pieces and safest King. For that reason, he has clear compensation for the sacrificed pawn.} (25... Bxf4 $6 26. Ne3 Kb7 27. Qe2 Qd7 28. Nf5 $36) 26. Rg2 (26. Rxf4 $5 {This is a ve ry interesting exchange sacrifice in order to complicate the game and dominate in the center. After this sacrifice, the Knight will go to f5 with a very solid position for White. However, it's very easy to analyze this possibility with the computer opened but it's extremely difficult to judge it during the game. In one of the lines, White should give up the queen for 2 rooks and it makes it even harder to play 26. Rxf4!?} Bxf4 27. Qxf4 Qd4+ 28. Ne3 Kb7 (28... Rdf8 29. Qxf8+ Rxf8 30. Rxf8+ Kb7 31. Rf7+ Ka6 32. Rf3 $11 Qa1+ 33. Kg2 Qxa2 34. Rf2 Qb1 35. Ng4 $14) 29. Kh1 Rdf8 30. Nf5 $11) 26... Rhg8 27. Qe2 Rxg2+ 28. Qxg2 Qe6 29. Nf2 Rg8 30. Ng4 Qe8 $1 {Black will capture back White's extra pawn and the Knight on g4 is not solidly placed. Black have a small but stable initiative.} 31. Qf3 Qxh5 32. Kf2 Bc7 33. Ke2 (33. e5 $5 Kb7 (33... Bxe5 34. Qxc6+ $132) 34. Nf6 {This is a co mputer line. It's extremely difficult for a chess player to start such tactics in a difficult position. Now it looks that White have a double attack but Black can avoid it easily by giving a check on h4 and continue his attack.} Qh4+ $40) (33. Nf6 $4 Qh4+ 34. Ke2 Qxf6 $19) 33... Qg5 34. Nh2 {Diagram #} h5 (34... Qe5 $1 {This is the strongest move to play because it centralized the Queen and prepare to attack the weak pawns on the Queenside. Perhaps Carlsen relaxed on he believed too much in the control of the open file.}) 35. Rf2 Qg1 36. Nf1 (36. Qxh5 Qc1 $19) 36... h4 $2 { Both players were on time pressure.} (36... Qg7) 37. Kd2 (37. e5 $5 {This is an good option to play for the active defense. In any case, the position remains difficult for White.} Rg5 (37... Bxe5 38. Qxc6+ Kb8 $132) (37... Kb7 38. Qxf4) 38. Kd2 Kb7 $15) 37... Kb7 38. c3 {Diagram #} Be5 (38... Rg3 $1 {Again it's y easy to analyze this move with the computer engine but it is difficult to play it over the board. It doesn't secure the win and White maybe have a counterplay with e-pawn. In the light of that Carlsen declined it during the game.} 39. Nxg3 hxg3 40. Re2 Qa1 41. e5 Qb2+ 42. Kd1 Qb1+ 43. Kd2 Qxa2+ 44. Kd1 Qxb3+ 45. Kd2 Qb2+ 46. Kd1 Qxc3 47. e6 c4 $1 48. e7 cxd3 49. e8=Q Qb3+ 50. Kc1 d2+ $1 51. Rxd2 Qxf3 $19) 39. Kc2 Qg7 $6 {Caruana stated that 'it was only when Magnus played 39...Qg7 that I felt like I might escape this one.'} (39... b5 $1 {With the idea to play b4.}) 40. Nh2 Bxc3 $2 {Actually, this move let all the advantage go because he exchanged a very strong pawn on f4 with a side pawn c3.} 41. Qxf4 Bd4 42. Qf7+ Ka6 43. Qxg7 Rxg7 44. Re2 Rg3 45. Ng4 Rxh3 46. e5 Rf3 47. e6 Rf8 48. e7 Re8 49. Nh6 h3 50. Nf5 Bf6 {A lot of pawns exchanged and White is going to play either d4 or b4. Then the endgame which will arise, 2 vs 3 pawns on the queenside, is drawn.} 51. a3 b5 52. b4 cxb4 53. axb4 Bxe7 54. Nxe7 h2 55. Rxh2 Rxe7 56. Rh6 Kb6 57. Kc3 Rd7 58. Rg6 Kc7 59. Rh6 Rd6 60. Rh8 Rg6 61. Ra8 Kb7 62. Rh8 Rg5 63. Rh7+ Kb6 64. Rh6 Rg1 65. Kc2 Rf1 66. Rg6 Rh1 67. Rf6 Rh8 68. Kc3 Ra8 69. d4 Rd8 70. Rh6 Rd7 71. Rg6 Kc7 72. Rg5 Rd6 73. Rg8 Rh6 74. Ra8 Rh3+ 75. Kc2 Ra3 76. Kb2 Ra4 77. Kc3 a6 78. Rh8 Ra3+ 79. Kb2 Rg3 80. Kc2 Rg5 81. Rh6 Rd5 82. Kc3 Rd6 83. Rh8 Rg6 84. Kc2 Kb7 85. Kc3 Rg3+ 86. Kc2 Rg1 87. Rh5 Rg2+ 88. Kc3 Rg3+ 89. Kc2 Rg4 90. Kc3 Kb6 91. Rh6 Rg5 92. Rf6 Rh5 93. Rg6 Rh3+ 94. Kc2 Rh5 95. Kc3 Rd5 96. Rh6 Kc7 97. Rh7+ Rd7 98. Rh5 ( 98. Rxd7+ Kxd7) 98... Rd6 99. Rh8 Rg6 100. Rf8 Rg3+ 101. Kc2 Ra3 102. Rf7+ Kd6 103. Ra7 Kd5 104. Kb2 Rd3 105. Rxa6 Rxd4 106. Kb3 Re4 107. Kc3 Rc4+ 108. Kb3 Kd4 109. Rb6 Kd3 110. Ra6 Rc2 111. Rb6 Rc3+ 112. Kb2 Rc4 113. Kb3 Kd4 114. Ra6 Kd5 115. Ra8 1/2-1/2

Game 2

[Event "Fide World Chess Championship"] [Site "London"] [Date "2018.11.10"] [Round "2"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "97"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qc2 (8. Be2 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1) 8... Nc6 (8... dxc4 9. Bxc4) 9. a3 Qa5 10. Rd1 (10. b4 $2 Bxb4 11. axb4 Qxa1+) 10... Rd8 {Diagram # D37: Queen's Gambit Declined: 5 Bf4 A NRK journalist asked Magnus what was he thinking when he saw Fabiano's 10... Rd8. He answered "Oh, shit, mainly".} (10... Re8 { This is a good alternative.}) (10... Be7 {This is the main move here.} 11. Nd2 e5 12. Bg5 d4 13. Nb3 Qd8 14. Be2 h6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. O-O Be6 17. Nc5 Qe7 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. Nd5 Rad8 20. Bd3 Ne7 21. Nxf6+ Qxf6 22. exd4 exd4 23. Rfe1 Rd7 24. Re4 Nc6 25. Qe2 g6 26. Re1 Kg7 27. b4 b6 28. Qg4 Rfd8 29. h4 h5 30. Qg3 Qd6 31. f4 Re7 32. Rxe7 Nxe7 33. Re5 a5 34. Rxh5 axb4 35. axb4 Qxb4 36. Rb5 Qd2 37. Kh2 Qe3 38. Rxb6 Ra8 39. Qxe3 dxe3 40. Rb2 Ra3 41. Be4 Rc3 { 1/2-1/2 Kortschnoj,V (2665)-Karpov,A (2725)/Baguio City 1978}) (10... Ne4 { This is a good alternative.}) 11. Be2 $5 (11. Nd2 $5 { This is the most critical line.} dxc4 12. Nxc4 Rxd1+ 13. Qxd1 Qd8 14. Qxd8+ Nxd8 $14) (11. b4 $2 Nxb4 12. axb4 Bxb4 13. Rc1 Ne4 $17 14. Be5 f6 15. Bd4 e5 $19) 11... Ne4 $146 12. O-O Nxc3 13. bxc3 h6 (13... Qxa3 $4 14. Ra1 $18) (13... Bxa3 $4 14. Ra1 Qc5 15. Qa2 $18) 14. a4 Ne7 15. Ne5 Bd6 16. cxd5 Nxd5 { Diagram #} 17. Bf3 $5 { He played the normal development move, but it allowed simplifications.} (17. Nxf7 $5 {This is an interesting sacrifice which Carlsen seen during the game but he declined to played because he afraid of his opening preparation.} Kxf7 18. Bxd6 Rxd6 19. Bh5+ Kg8 20. e4 { Non White can capture back the pawn with the move d5 because the Rook is pined. } (20. c4 $5 Nb4 21. Qg6 {This is more complicated line}) 20... Bd7 (20... Nf4 21. Rxd6 Qxh5 22. Rd8+ Kh7 23. e5+ Ng6 24. f4 $36) (20... Nf6 21. Rxd6 $16) 21. exd5 $11 {Here Black have a lot of options, like to capture on d5, or a4. Black's king position is exposed but White gave up a pawn for that. In the light of that, Carlsen didn't like to enter in a variation which his opponent had analyzed very seriously before the match. So, he decided to not to enter in this sharp and risky continuation.}) 17... Nxf4 (17... Nxc3 $4 18. Nc4 $18) (17... Qxc3 18. Qxc3 Nxc3 19. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 20. Rxd6 Rxd6 21. Bxd6 Nxa4 22. Rc1 $36) 18. exf4 Bxe5 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20. fxe5 Qc7 $15 {Carsen understood very clearly that he was standing little worst in this position, because his pawns, e5, c3 and a4, are weak so he should fight for the draw.} 21. Rb1 Rb8 (21... Qxe5 22. Qd3 $44 Qc7 23. Rd1 g6 24. Qd8+ Qxd8 25. Rxd8+ Kg7 26. a5 Rb8 27. g4 b6 28. axb6 axb6 29. Bc6 b5 30. Bd7 $18) 22. Qd3 Bd7 23. a5 Bc6 24. Qd6 Qxd6 25. exd6 Bxf3 26. gxf3 Kf8 27. c4 Ke8 28. a6 (28. c5 b6 29. c6 $18) 28... b6 29. c5 Kd7 30. cxb6 axb6 (30... Rxb6 31. Rxb6 axb6 32. a7 $18) 31. a7 Ra8 32. Rxb6 Rxa7 33. Kg2 e5 34. Rb4 f5 (34... Kxd6 35. f4 exf4 36. Rxf4 $11) 35. Rb6 Ke6 36. d7+ Kxd7 37. Rb5 Ke6 38. Rb6+ Kf7 39. Rb5 Kf6 40. Rb6+ Kg5 41. Rb5 Kf4 42. Rb4+ e4 43. fxe4 fxe4 44. h3 Ra5 45. Rb7 Rg5+ 46. Kf1 Rg6 (46... Kf3 47. Rf7+ Rf5 48. Rxf5#) 47. Rb4 Rg5 48. Rb7 Rg6 49. Rb4 1/2-1/2

Game 3

[Event "Fide World Chess Championship"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.11.12"] [Round "3"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2832"] [BlackElo "2835"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "97"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. O-O {Diagram # Players repeat the position from the game one, so for another time, we have seen Sicilian Defense on the board. Fabiano repeats the Rossolimo once more, which could be a more favorable line for Magnus because there are no heavy theory, no repetitions, and no super-sharp positions. This opening line is characterized by its complex strategic ideas. The first surprise came on 6th move in which White deviates from his previous h3.} (6. h3 {First game}) 6... Qc7 $5 {The most theoretical move here is Nf3 and after that e5. However, Magnus play Queen to c7 in order to keep all of the options opened.} (6... Bg4 7. Nbd2) 7. Re1 e5 8. a3 {Now the center is closed and the White's a normal reaction is to counter-attack in the queen-side. In order to do that he would like to post his pawns there and open lines for his heavy pieces.} (8. Be3 { forcing Black to play b6, and only then start the minority attack} b6 9. a3 Nf6 (9... a5 $5 10. Nbd2 Nf6 11. b4 Ng4 (11... axb4 12. axb4 Rxa1 13. Qxa1 cxb4 14. Qxe5+) 12. Bg5 (12. bxc5 Nxe3 13. Rxe3 b5 $5 {with decent chances}) 12... axb4 (12... cxb4 13. axb4 a4 14. c4 b5 {looks risky for Black, but the comp holds on } 15. h3 f6 16. Bh4 Nh6 17. Nb3 $5) 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 cxb4 15. Qa4 O-O 16. Qxb4 c5 17. Qb2 f6 18. Bh4 Be6 $13 {and Black can regroup his forces easily, while White's pieces on the kingside are stuck}) 10. b4 (10. Nbd2 $5 O-O (10... Ng4 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh4) 11. b4 cxb4 (11... Ng4 12. Bg5) 12. axb4 Ng4 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Nf6 $13) 10... c4 11. Nbd2 cxd3 12. cxd3 O-O 13. Rc1 $36 { with easier play for White}) (8. b4 $2 {is not working:} cxb4 9. a3 bxa3 10. Bxa3 Ne7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nc4 c5 $17 {with clear pawn up for Black}) 8... Nf6 9. b4 O-O $1 {Black give up a pawn in order to speed up his development and attack to c5 afterward. It's really hard for White to try to keep this extra pawn; and for sure it will slow down his attack on Queenside.} 10. Nbd2 (10. bxc5 $5 Nd7 11. Be3 (11. a4 Nxc5 12. Ba3 b6 13. Qd2 Re8 $11 { The position is fine for Black.}) 11... f5 $1 $44 12. exf5 gxf5 $44) 10... Bg4 {He developed all of his pieces and complete his opening tasks; however, other moves are possible in this position.} (10... Nh5 $5) (10... Nd7 $5) 11. h3 (11. bxc5 Nd7 12. Nb3 f5 $36 13. h3 fxe4 14. dxe4 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nf6 $36) 11... Bxf3 12. Nxf3 cxb4 13. axb4 a5 {The position is a little better for White thanks to his solid pawn chain and for that reason, Magnus tries to simplify it.} 14. bxa5 Rxa5 {Diagram #} 15. Bd2 $5 {It was better to capture the a5-Rook immediately in order to control that a-line and put some pressure on e5-pawn.} (15. Rxa5 $1 Qxa5 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Qa1 $14) 15... Raa8 16. Qb1 Nd7 {This positio n is approximately equal and it's really hard for White to try for more. Black's queen-site pawns look vulnerable, however, he can advance them easily.} 17. Qb4 $5 (17. Qb2 $5 b5 18. Rxa8 Rxa8 19. Ra1 Qb7) (17. Be3 $5 b5 18. Qb3 Rfb8 19. Ra2 Rxa2 20. Qxa2 $11) 17... Rfe8 18. Bc3 b5 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Ra1 Rxa1+ 21. Bxa1 Qa7 22. Bc3 Qa2 23. Qb2 Qxb2 24. Bxb2 f6 {Diagram # Black managed to stop all of the play on e5-pawn. The queen-site pawns are even stronger now because Black can advance them if he likes. Black's king can come more easily in the center and more specifically on d7-square. For that reason, Black's position could be more preferable and White should be alert in order not to defend himself or squeezed in the future.} 25. Kf1 Kf7 26. Ke2 Nc5 27. Bc3 Ne6 28. g3 Bf8 29. Nd2 (29. d4 $5 exd4 30. Nxd4 Nxd4+ 31. Bxd4 c5 { Black has the potential to create an outside passed pawn but this is not enough to win the game.}) 29... Ng5 30. h4 Ne6 31. Nb3 h5 {This is a strong positional move in order to fix the kingside pawns in the "wrong" color. Another idea is to push the g-pawn and create the outside passed pawn in the kingside.} 32. Bd2 (32. Bb2 Bd6 33. Bc3 g5 34. Ke1 (34. hxg5 fxg5) 34... gxh4 35. gxh4) 32... Bd6 33. c3 c5 34. Be3 Ke7 35. Kd1 (35. d4 $2 exd4 36. cxd4 c4 $17) 35... Kd7 36. Kc2 f5 37. Kd1 (37. f3 f4 $1 (37... fxe4 $2 38. fxe4 $11) 38. gxf4 exf4 39. Bf2 g5 $5 (39... Be7 $5)) 37... fxe4 38. dxe4 c4 39. Nd2 Nc5 40. Bxc5 $1 Bxc5 41. Ke2 { There is not a good way for Black to make progress here.} Kc6 42. Nf1 b4 43. cxb4 Bxb4 44. Ne3 Kc5 45. f4 exf4 46. gxf4 Ba5 47. f5 gxf5 48. Nxc4 $1 { This is the final blow because Black will end with a "bad Bishop" and he would not be able to advance h5-pawn into a new Queen.} Kxc4 49. exf5 1/2-1/2

Game 4

[Event "Fide World Chess Championship"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.11.13"] [Round "4"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A29"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "69"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 (4... Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Re8 9. f3 (9. Qc2 d5 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. d3 Bf5 12. Bf4 h6 13. Nxe4 $11 { Lagrave (2789) - Caruana (2784) // Grenke Classic GM 2018 // Germany // 0-1}) 9... exf3 10. Nxf3 d5 11. d4 $11 { Caruana (2794) - Anand (2762) // Candidates Tournament // 2016 // 1-0}) 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 (6... Nxc3 {main line}) (6... Nb6 $5) (6... Be6 $5) 7. O-O (7. Nxe5 $5 Nxc3 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. dxc3 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 Bxf2 11. Rf1 Bc5 12. Rxf7 Bd6 13. Rf3 Bxe5 14. Re3 $11 O-O 15. Rxe5 Bg4) 7... O-O 8. d3 Re8 $5 { An improvement, comparing it with his previous game against Anand.} (8... Bb6 9. Bd2 Bg4 10. Rc1 { 1-0 Anand V (2783)-Caruana,F (2807)/5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 (29)}) 9. Bd2 (9. Ng5 Nf6 10. Qb3 Qe7 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 { Caruana (2799) - Adams (2715) // 9th London Classic // 2017 // 1-0}) 9... Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Nd4 $1 {White was threatening to capture on e5 and then to play d4, so Black is stopping this threat once and forever.} 11. b4 Bd6 $1 {Again Fabian o played very quickly the best move. He neutralized any tactical tricks on e5.} (11... Bf8 12. Nxe5 $1 Rxe5 13. e3 $36) (11... Bb6 12. a4 a5 13. b5 $13 { The position is doubled edge here because Black have good activity but the c7 pawn is weak.}) 12. Rb1 {White cannot win material as you can see in the sun variation; thanks to discovering attack against the d4-bishop.} (12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Bxd4 Bxg3 (13... Bxb4) 14. hxg3 Qxd4) (12. a4 $5) (12. e3 $5) 12... Nxf3+ 13. Bxf3 a6 14. a4 c6 {Diagram #} 15. Re1 $6 {This is the most critical moment of the game. The main choice is to play b5 or not. Carlsen didn't go for it for some reasons. Probably he didn't like to force the matters, this is his strategy in general. The other possible explanation could be that he was afraid of Caruana's preparations; it could be possible that Fabiano had prepared a line which Black will be OK.} (15. b5 $1 {This was the most challenging continuations. The idea is to use the minority attack in order to create some weaknesses. At the same time, he can activate his light-squared Bishop.} cxb5 $5 (15... axb5 16. axb5 Bd7 17. bxc6 Bxc6 18. Bxc6 bxc6 19. Qc2 $14) 16. axb5 a5 17. Ra1 Bc7 18. Ra4 $14) 15... Bd7 $1 { Now Black manage to prevent the b5 break and the game is about equal.} 16. e3 Qf6 17. Be4 Bf5 18. Qf3 Bxe4 19. Qxf6 gxf6 20. dxe4 {Black's kingside structure is damaged but there is no obvious way to take advantage of it. Carlsen has what he wants, a pleasant position without any fear to lose it. He can try to squeeze his opponent for many moves, as he did in the game, but without any real success.} b5 21. Red1 Bf8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Kg2 Red8 24. Rdc1 Kg7 25. Be1 Rdc8 26. Rc2 Ra4 $11 {White must protect the b4 pawn, so he cannot make any real progress. When both sides have a real weakness, on c6 and b4, the game is about equal.} 27. Kf3 h5 28. Ke2 Kg6 29. h3 f5 $1 30. exf5+ Kxf5 31. f3 Be7 {The position is fairly dead and the players bring proceedings to a swift conclusion.} 32. e4+ Ke6 33. Bd2 Bd6 34. Rbc1 Kd7 35. Rb1 1/2-1/2

Game 5

[Event "Fide World Chess Championship"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.11.15"] [Round "5"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2832"] [BlackElo "2835"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O (4. Bxc6 {game 1 and 3}) 4... Bg7 5. Re1 e5 (5... Nf6 $5 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nc3) 6. b4 $5 {Diagram # This is the third most popular option. Obviously, Fabiano would like to surprise Magnus and use his superiority in opening preparation. After the game Magnus said that this move wasn't new to him, however he didn't reveal his opening preparation.} (6. Bxc6 {This is the first most popular option.} dxc6 {Transposition to game 1 and 3}) (6. c3 {This is the second most popular option.}) 6... Nxb4 (6... cxb4 7. a3 bxa3 (7... b3 8. cxb3 Nge7 9. Bb2 O-O { Bacrot (2708) - Grischuk (2761) // Rapid Paris // 2017 // 0-1}) 8. Nxa3 Nge7 9. Nc4 O-O 10. Ba3 $44) 7. Bb2 a6 {This leads to some simplifications, which is usually beneficial for the defending side.} (7... Qc7 $5 8. c3 Nc6 9. d4 Nf6 10. dxc5 $13) 8. a3 (8. Bc4 $6 Nc6 $15) 8... axb5 9. axb4 Rxa1 10. Bxa1 d6 ( 10... cxb4 11. Bxe5 Bxe5 12. Nxe5 $44 {Again, in this particular line Black is a pawn up, however, he has triple b-pawns. White have a dominant position in the center and the dark-squares in the king-side are vulnerable. For that reasons White have total compensation for the sacrifice pawn and it's logical that Magnus didn't go for this line.}) 11. bxc5 Ne7 {Diagram #} 12. Qe2 $5 { Again Caruana played the most forcing line, however his last movewascriticized by many commentators. The reason behind it is that the game will simplify a lot and it wasn't obvious how White can get any advantage here.} (12. cxd6 $5 Qxd6 13. d4 exd4 14. Bxd4 (14. e5 $5) 14... O-O 15. Bxg7 Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Kxg7 { This is the critical position because Black have double pawns on the b-line and White is more active. However, he cannot create an immediate threat against these pawns, so the position is dynamically balanced.} 17. Nd4 (17. Na3 b4 18. Nc4 Nc6 $11) 17... b4 18. Nd2 Nc6 $11) 12... b4 13. Qc4 (13. c3 Nc6 14. cxb4 dxc5 15. bxc5 Qa5 16. Nc3 Qxc5 $11 {Black is OK.}) (13. Qb5+ $5 Nc6 { Black will castle next.}) 13... Qa5 $1 {Carlsen is trying for queens exchange. He will temporarily give up a pawn, however, he will manage to develop his pieces and equalize the game.} 14. cxd6 Be6 15. Qc7 (15. Qe2 Nc8 $15 16. Bb2 O-O $15) 15... Qxc7 16. dxc7 Nc6 {Black should be happy about the outcome of the opening, because the c7-pawn will be doomed and he will not have any problems to activate his h8-Rook. Apart from that Black have the bishop pair and there is not an obvious way for White to press the doubled b-pawns.} 17. c3 $5 (17. Rd1 $5 { This was a more challenging idea in order to open the center with d2-d4.} Kd7 18. d4 b3 $1 {This is a very strong and unexpected move. Black is descending from the double attack on d5 with a counter-blow.} (18... exd4 19. Nxd4 Kxc7 20. Nxe6+ fxe6 21. Bxg7 $18) (18... Bg4 19. d5 Nd4) 19. d5 (19. dxe5+ Kxc7 $44) (19. cxb3 Bxb3 $15) (19. Nxe5+ Kxc7 $1 20. cxb3 Ra8 $44 {Black is two pawns down but he has enough compensation; thanks to his extremely active pieces.}) 19... bxc2 $1 20. dxe6+ Kxc7) 17... Kd7 (17... b3 $2 18. d4) 18. cxb4 Ra8 ( 18... Nxb4 $2 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Nxe5+ Kxc7 21. d4 $16) 19. Bc3 Kxc7 20. d3 { Diagram #} (20. b5 $6 Nd4) 20... Kb6 (20... b5 $1 $15 {Here Magnus lose an opportunity to increase his pressure. The b4-pawn is weak and first of all you should blockade it. After that he can arrange an attack on it. The position is playable but Black is pressing.}) 21. Bd2 {In the game, Magnus had the idea to attack the b4-pawn with his King, to proceed actively. However he may missed his opponent move because right now he cannot play his King to b5.} Rd8 (21... Kb5 22. Nc3+ Kxb4 23. Na4+ $1 Kxa4 (23... Ka3 24. Ra1+ Ba2 25. Nc3 $36 Kb2 26. Rc1) 24. Ra1+ Kb5 25. Rxa8 $18) 22. Be3+ Kb5 23. Nc3+ Kxb4 24. Nd5+ $1 { Caruana found the best move in order to capture the dangerous b-pawn. White here is fighting for the draw.} Bxd5 25. exd5 Rxd5 26. Rb1+ Kc3 27. Rxb7 Nd8 28. Rc7+ Kxd3 {Black is a pawn up, however White's c7-Rook is very active and d8-Knight should be stay passively in order f7-pawn.} 29. Kf1 h5 (29... e4 $4 30. Ne1# {A funny mate!}) 30. h3 Ke4 31. Ng5+ Kf5 32. Nxf7 Nxf7 33. Rxf7+ Bf6 34. g4+ (34. g4+ hxg4 35. hxg4+ Ke6 36. Rb7) 1/2-1/2

Game 6

[Event "Fide World Chess Championship"] [Site "London"] [Date "2018.11.09"] [Round "6"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "160"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. e4 {This is the first time in the match which Magnus Carlsen played 1.e4. He wants to challenge his opponent opening preparation, however, Caruana was extremely prepared in all of the lines and he managed to equalize the game without any real problems.} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nd3 $5 {This is a weird movie. Probably Carlsen would like to avoid the heavy theoretical discussion and to surprise his opponent in the opening. Similarly, he doesn't like to double his c-pawns. During the whole match, we can see that he played very solidly and he didn't like to give any real opportunity to his opponent to take any kind of advantage.} Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. Nf4 Nc6 7. Nd5 Nd4 8. Nxe7 { Diagram # 6.2} Nxe2 { This is a funny moment in which 3 Knights are sitting one-line.} 9. Nd5 Nd4 10. Na3 (10. Nxc7+ $2 Kd8 11. Nxa8 $2 Nxc2+ 12. Kd1 Nxa1 $17) 10... Ne6 11. f3 N4c5 12. d4 Nd7 (12... Nxd4 13. Nxc7+) 13. c3 {White won some tempi and drive back the Knight to d7. He has more space and a safe location for the king on f2. Black will kick out the d5-Knight and the position is approximately equal at this point. In the light of that, we can claim that the Black managed to equalize the game at the opening.} c6 14. Nf4 Nb6 15. Bd3 d5 16. Nc2 Bd6 17. Nxe6 Bxe6 18. Kf2 h5 19. h4 Nc8 20. Ne3 Ne7 21. g3 c5 22. Bc2 {White should press the d5-weakness. For that reason he starred maneuvering his pieces, however, it was better to start with the move Ng2.} (22. Ng2 $5) 22... O-O 23. Rd1 Rfd8 24. Ng2 cxd4 $1 {This is the perfect moment to capture on d4, because White was threatening to capture on c5. White's idea was to create the isolated pawn on d5 and press it.} ({For example:} 24... g6 25. dxc5 Bxc5+ 26. Be3 Bxe3+ 27. Kxe3 Rac8 28. Nf4 Kf8 29. Rd2 Ke8 30. Rad1 $16) 25. cxd4 Rac8 26. Bb3 Nc6 27. Bf4 Na5 28. Rdc1 Bb4 29. Bd1 Nc4 30. b3 Na3 31. Rxc8 Rxc8 32. Rc1 Nb5 33. Rxc8+ Bxc8 { A lot of pieces were exchanged by this point and the draw seems to be near.} 34. Ne3 Nc3 (34... Nxd4 35. Nxd5 $11) 35. Bc2 Ba3 $1 {This is a strong move and now it's so difficult for White to keep alive the a2-pawn. Similarly, he stooped the advanced a2-a4.} (35... Nxa2 36. Nxd5) 36. Bb8 $1 {Carlsen understo od that the situation may become very critical for him and for that reason he started his counterplay right now by attacking the enemy pawns.} a6 37. f4 { This is another very good defensive idea in order to prevent Bishop e6 and isolate the h5-pawn.} Bd7 38. f5 Bc6 39. Bd1 Bb2 (39... Nxd1+ $5 40. Nxd1 $15 { Black has the bishop pair and they can press for a while but it's hard to imagine that he can get anything real from this position, I mean to bring home the full point.}) 40. Bxh5 Ne4+ (40... Nxa2 $5) 41. Kg2 Bxd4 42. Bf4 Bc5 43. Bf3 Nd2 {Diagram # 6.3} 44. Bxd5 $1 {This is the best practical decision. Calsen shows his fighting spirit and that he would like to play for win as well.} (44. Nd1 $5 {White can defend himself passively, however, he should find the very difficult the moves in the game and take a critical decision.} Nxf3 45. Kxf3 d4+ 46. Ke2 Be4 47. g4 Bb1 48. Kd2 $1 {White does manage to protect all of his pawns and he would like to re-maneuver his Knight on d3. However, as you can see, Black's position is fantastic and very pleasant to play with.} Bb4+ (48... Bxa2 $2 49. Kc2 $16) 49. Kc1 Bd3 50. Nf2 Be2 $17 { It might not be losing here, however, it's very difficult to suggest good moves for White.}) 44... Bxe3 45. Bxc6 Bxf4 46. Bxb7 Bd6 47. Bxa6 Ne4 48. g4 Ba3 $1 {This is a powerful move that Carlsen missed. Now White is forced to give up one of his pawns.} 49. Bc4 Kf8 50. g5 Nc3 51. b4 $1 {Outside passed pawns are stronger in the endgame and Magnus is following the basic endgame rules. The only side which can try to win here is White despite the fact of the computer evaluation. The a2-pawn is a strong passer that Black shoulder blockade. On the other side of the board, White has the majority and he can create play there as well. We can conclude that in the practical game White is not winning but Black should be very careful in order to avoid any tricks.} Bxb4 52. Kf3 Na4 53. Bb5 Nc5 54. a4 (54. Ke3) (54. Bc4) 54... f6 55. Kg4 Ne4 $1 {By putting pressure on c5-pawn Black managed to blockade the king-side pawn majority.} 56. Kh5 Be1 57. Bd3 Nd6 58. a5 $5 {White is deflecting the Knight and he tries to create the passed pawn in the king-side. This was another good practical decision.} Bxa5 59. gxf6 gxf6 60. Kg6 Bd8 {White gets what he wants, however, he should be extremely careful as well. If Black manages to blockade the h4-pawn, then he can rearrange his pieces and he can potentially capture both of White's pawn.} 61. Kh7 $1 (61. Bc2 $2 Kg8 62. Bb1 Nb5 63. Bd3 Nd4 64. Bc4+ Kh8 65. Bd5 Ne2 66. Bc4 Nf4+ 67. Kf7 Kh7 $19 {You can see now that the h-pawn is blocked and Black can re-arrange his pieces and capture white's pawns.} 68. Bb3 Kh6 69. Bd1 Ng2 70. h5 Nf4 71. Bf3 Nxh5 $19 {White cannot capture the Knight because then the endgame will be lost. If he just waits then Black can go to g5 with the king. Then with the Knight help, he will win the f5-pawn as well.}) 61... Nf7 62. Bc4 Ne5 63. Bd5 Ba5 64. h5 Bd2 65. Ba2 Nf3 66. Bd5 (66. h6 Bg5 67. Be6 Ne5 68. Bd5 Ng4) 66... Nd4 67. Kg6 {Magnus is still fighting for a win and for that reason he played this move. Objectively he should force the draw by moving his Bishop forward and backward.} Bg5 68. Bc4 { Diagram #} Nf3 (68... Bh4 $3 {This was the only winning move. The idea behind it is to create zugzwang; a situation in which White doesn't have any good moves.} 69. Bd5 (69. h6 Nf3 $1 70. h7 Ne5+ 71. Kh5 Kg7 $19) 69... Ne2 70. Bf3 Ng1 $3 {In order to find the continuation Caruana should find this move as well, which is extremely difficult. As players mention in the press conference if they knew that this position was winning then they will be able to find the solution! However in the real match situation, when your clock is ticking and separate moves have its own importance, it's really hard to find such continuations. It's really difficult for any level of player to trap his own pieces as Black did here with the last move, Knight to g1.} 71. Bd5 (71. Bg4 Kg8 $1 72. Kh6 Bf2 73. Kg6 Bd4 74. Kh6 Be3+ 75. Kg6 Bg5 $22 76. h6 Kh8 77. h7 Bh4 78. Kh5 Be1 79. Kg6 Bc3 80. Kh6 Bd2+ 81. Kg6 Bg5 $22) 71... Bg5 $22 72. Kh7 Ne2 $1 73. Ba2 Nf4 $1 74. h6 Ng2 75. Bb1 Ne3 76. Kg6 Kg8 77. Bd3 Ng4 78. Bb1 Nxh6 $19) 69. Kh7 (69. h6 Ne5+) 69... Ne5 70. Bb3 Ng4 71. Bc4 Ne3 72. Bd3 Ng4 73. Bc4 Nh6 74. Kg6 Ke7 75. Bb3 Kd6 76. Bc2 Ke5 77. Bd3 Kf4 78. Bc2 Ng4 79. Bb3 Ne3 80. h6 Bxh6 (80... Bxh6 81. Kxh6 Nxf5+ 82. Kg6 Ke5 83. Bc2 Nd6) 1/2-1/2

One of my Games

[Event "world chess amateur"] [Site "?"] [Date "2015.04.15"] [Round "3"] [White "Reyes Mahecha, Fernando"] [Black "Kesaris, Evagelos"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B01"] [BlackElo "1892"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "154"] [EventDate "2015.04.15"]  1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 a6 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. Be3 e6 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 c6 10. O-O Be7 11. Rad1 O-O 12. Bf4 Nbd7 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Nf6 15. Qf3 Qd5 16. Qe2 Qxa2 17. c4 Qa5 18. Be5 Rfe8 19. Bc2 Nd7 20. Ra1 Qd8 (20... Qb6) 21. Qd3 g6 22. Bg3 Nf6 23. Qe3 Qb6 24. b3 Nh5 25. Bh2 c5 $2 (25... Bf6 26. Rad1 Rad8) 26. dxc5 Qxc5 (26... Bxc5 27. Qf3 Bd4 28. Rad1 e5 29. Be4 Re7 30. Rfe1 Re6 $1 31. Bxb7 Rf6) 27. Qf3 b5 28. Be4 Ra7 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Rxa7 Qxa7 31. Bc6 Rd8 32. Bxb5 Ng7 33. Bc4 Nf5 34. Bf4 Nh4 35. Qg4 h5 ({Computer} 35... Rd4 36. Qg3 Nf5 37. Qf3 Bc5) 36. Qe2 Qb7 37. f3 Bc5+ 38. Kh1 Nf5 39. g4 hxg4 40. hxg4 Nd4 41. Qd3 Qe7 (41... Nc6 42. Qe4 (42. Qc3) 42... Rd4 43. Qe3 Rxc4) 42. Kg2 Nf5 43. Qe2 Nh4+ 44. Kg3 g5 45. Be5 Ng6 46. Rh1 (46. Rb1 Nxe5 47. Qxe5 Bd6) 46... f6 (46... Nxe5 47. Qxe5 Bd6 48. Rh8#) 47. Bb8 (47. Bb2 Qd6+ 48. Kg2 Nf4+ 49. Kf1 Nxe2 50. Kxe2 (50. Bxf6 Qd1+ 51. Kg2 Nf4+ 52. Kh2 Rd2+ 53. Kg3 Rg2#) 50... Kg7) 47... Rxb8 48. Bxe6+ Kg7 49. Qe4 Qd6+ 50. f4 (50. Kg2 Qxe6 51. Qxe6 Nf4+ 52. Kg3 Nxe6) 50... Qxf4+ 51. Qxf4 Nxf4 52. Bc4 Rh8 53. Rxh8 Kxh8 54. Kf3 Kg7 55. Ke4 Kf8 56. Kf5 Ke7 57. Ke4 Bb4 58. Kf5 Bc3 59. Ke4 Kd6 60. Kf5 Kc5 61. Ke4 Kb4 62. Kf5 Be5 63. Ke4 Ng6 64. Kf5 Ne7+ 65. Ke4 Nc6 66. Bg8 Na5 67. Bf7 Nxb3 68. Bg8 Nd4 69. Bf7 (69. Kd3) 69... Kc3 70. Be8 Kd2 71. Bd7 Ke2 72. Bc8 Kf2 73. Bd7 Kg3 74. Bc8 Ne2 75. Bd7 Nf4 76. Bc8 Nh3 77. Bd7 Nf2+ 0-1

Game 7

[Event "Fide World Chess Championship"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.11.18"] [Round "7"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 Qa5 10. Nd2 {Diagram # 7.2} (10. Rd1 {game 2} Rd8) 10... Qd8 $5 { This was a surprising move and put Carlsen to deep thinking. The idea was to keep the d4 break open and avoid all the tricks with b4 or Nb3.} (10... Be7 $5) (10... h6 11. Nb3 Qb6 12. Na4 $18) (10... dxc4 11. Nxc4) 11. Nb3 Bb6 (11... Be7 12. Rd1) 12. Be2 (12. c5 Bc7 13. Bxc7 Qxc7 14. Nb5 Qe7 15. Nd6 b6 $17) (12. Rd1 $5 Qe7 $1 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Rxd5 Be6 16. Rd1 Bxb3 17. Qxb3 Ba5+ $40) (12. O-O-O $6) 12... Qe7 13. Bg5 dxc4 14. Nd2 Ne5 {Diagram # 7.3} 15. O-O {This is a very safe move; and after that the position pretty balanced.} (15. Nce4 $5 {Magnus said it was his main chance to play dynamically.} Bd7 16. Qc3 Nxe4 $1 17. Nxe4 (17. Bxe7 $2 Nxc3 18. Bxf8 Nxe2 19. Kxe2 Rxf8 $17) 17... f6 $1 18. Qxe5 fxg5 (18... fxe5 19. Bxe7) 19. Bxc4 $132 {This is a double-edged position and Magnus didn't go for it because Black have the Bishop pair and pressure on the f-line.}) (15. f4 {This is very risky!}) 15... Bd7 16. Bf4 Ng6 17. Bg3 Bc6 18. Nxc4 Bc7 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Rd1 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 Nd5 23. Qd4 Nxc3 24. Qxc3 Bxg3 25. hxg3 Qd7 26. Bd3 b6 27. f3 Bb7 28. Bxg6 hxg6 {Diagram # 7.4 Here we can see the only unbalance in the position which is Knight vs Bishop. Usually this piece coordination favorite White, because Queen can coordinate better with the Knight; however, the position is very symmetrical with pawns in the both sides of the chess board and White didn't managed to achieve anything at all.} 29. e4 Qc7 30. e5 Qc5+ 31. Kh2 Ba6 32. Nd6 Qxc3 33. bxc3 f6 34. f4 Kf8 35. Kg1 Ke7 36. Kf2 Kd7 37. Ke3 Bf1 38. Kf2 Ba6 39. Ke3 Bf1 40. Kf2 1/2-1/2

Game 8

[Event "WCh 2018"] [Site "London ENG"] [Date "2018.11.19"] [Round "8"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B33"] [WhiteElo "2832"] [BlackElo "2835"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2018.11.09"]  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 {Sveshnikov variation} 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 (7. Bg5 {main line}) 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb8 (8... Ne7) 9. a4 (9. c4 {Old line} Be7) 9... Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. Bd2 { With the idea of a5.} f5 13. a5 a6 (13... Nf6 $5) 14. Na3 e4 (14... f4 15. Nc4 Nf6 (15... Rf6 16. Bb4) 16. Nb6 Rb8) 15. Nc4 Ne5 16. Nb6 (16. Nxe5 dxe5) 16... Rb8 (16... f4 17. Nxa8 (17. Bxf4 $1 Rxf4 18. Nxa8 $18) 17... f3 $44) 17. f4 exf3 (17... Nd7 18. Nc4 Nf6 19. Be3) 18. Bxf3 {Diagram #} g5 $5 (18... Bf6 19. c3 Nd7 20. Be3 Be5 $132) 19. c4 f4 20. Bc3 Bf5 {Diagram #} 21. c5 $1 Nxf3+ ( 21... dxc5 22. Bxe5 $18) 22. Qxf3 dxc5 23. Rad1 (23. d6 Qxd6) 23... Bd6 { Diagram #} (23... h6 $2 24. d6 Bxd6 25. Nc4 $18 (25. Qd5+ $18)) 24. h3 $6 (24. Nc4 $5 g4 25. Qf2 f3 $132 (25... g3 $132 26. Qd2 gxh2+ 27. Kh1 Qd7 28. b3 $5 ( 28. b4 $1 cxb4 29. Ba1 -- 30. Qd4 $40) 28... -- 29. Ba1)) (24. Qh5 $1 Bg6 25. Qh6 $6 (25. Qh3 $1 Bf5 $5 (25... Rf7 $5 26. Nc4 Qf8 27. Rfe1 -- (27... f3 28. Re6 Bf5 (28... Rd8 {Diagram #} 29. Rxg6+ $1 hxg6 30. Qh8#) 29. Qh5 Bxe6 30. dxe6 $18) 28. Nxd6 Qxd6 29. Be5 $18) (25... Qe7 26. Rfe1) 26. g4 fxg3 $4 (26... Bg6 27. Rfe1 c4 28. Re6 (28. Nxc4 f3 29. Re6 Bc5+ 30. Kf1 Bc2 31. Qh6 Rf7 32. d6 $18) 28... Bc2 29. Nxc4 Bc5+ (29... Bxd1 $2 30. Qh6 Rf7 {Diagram #} 31. Rg6+ hxg6 32. Qh8#) 30. Kf1 (30. Kh1 Bxd1 31. Qh6 Bf3#) 30... Rf7 31. Rd2 Bb1 32. d6 $18) 27. Rxf5 $18) 25... Rf7 26. Nc4 Bf8 27. Qh3 Qc8 $11) 24... Qe8 25. Nc4 Qg6 $11 26. Nxd6 Qxd6 27. h4 gxh4 28. Qxf4 Qxf4 29. Rxf4 {Diagram #} h5 $1 30. Re1 Bg4 31. Rf6 Rxf6 32. Bxf6 Kf7 33. Bxh4 Re8 34. Rf1+ Kg8 35. Rf6 Re2 36. Rg6+ Kf8 37. d6 Rd2 38. Rg5 1/2-1/2

Game 9

[Event "WCh 2018"] [Site "London ENG"] [Date "2018.11.21"] [Round "9"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A29"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "112"] [EventDate "2018.11.09"]  1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 Re8 9. Bg5 (9. Bd2 {Game 4}) 9... Nxc3 $1 (9... f6 10. Qb3 $1 fxg5 11. Nxg5 $1 $18 Qxg5 12. Qxd5+ Kh8 13. Qxc5 $18) 10. bxc3 f6 {Diagram #} 11. Bc1 (11. Qb3+ $5 Kh8 12. Bc1 {Unclear}) (11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 $11) 11... Be6 12. Bb2 Bb6 13. d4 {This was the idea behind the Bc1 move.} Bd5 14. Qc2 exd4 15. cxd4 Be4 16. Qb3+ Bd5 17. Qd1 Bxf3 $6 {White has easier moves and Caruana would like to make the game more concrete. Similarly, the drawing tendency is higher with the opposite color Bishops.} (17... Qd7 $5) (17... Na5 $5) (17... Be4 $5) 18. Qb3+ Kh8 19. Bxf3 Nxd4 20. Bxd4 Qxd4 (20... Bxd4 $2 21. Rad1 c5 22. e3 $18) 21. e3 Qe5 22. Bxb7 Rad8 23. Rad1 Qe7 {Diagram #} 24. h4 $2 (24. Bc6 $5) (24. Kg2) (24. Bf3 $5 g6 25. Kg2 Kg7) 24... g6 25. h5 { The only move to continue his plan.} (25. -- h5 26. -- f5 $11) 25... gxh5 $1 ( 25... Kg7 26. Kg2) 26. Qc4 f5 27. Bf3 h4 28. Rxd8 Rxd8 29. gxh4 Rg8+ 30. Kh1 Qf6 31. Qf4 Bc5 $5 {A stong move; setting up a trap.} 32. Rg1 (32. Qxc7 Qxh4+ $6 (32... Bd6 $3 33. Qxa7 (33. Qc4 f4 $1 34. Bg2 Qxh4+ 35. Kg1 Rxg2+ 36. Kxg2 f3+ 37. Kxf3 Qxc4 $19) 33... Qxh4#) 33. Qh2 Qxh2+ 34. Kxh2) 32... Rxg1+ 33. Kxg1 Bd6 34. Qa4 f4 35. Qxa7 fxe3 36. Qxe3 Qxh4 37. a4 Qf6 (37... Qxa4 38. Qc3+ Kg8 39. Bd5+ Kf8 40. Qf6+ Ke8 41. Qh8+ Ke7 42. Qxh7+ $11) 38. Bd1 Qe5 39. Qxe5+ Bxe5 40. a5 Kg7 41. a6 Bd4 42. Kg2 Kf6 43. f4 Bb6 44. Kf3 h6 45. Ke4 Ba7 46. Bg4 Bg1 47. Kd5 Bb6 48. Kc6 Be3 49. Kb7 Bb6 50. Bh3 Be3 51. Kc6 Bb6 52. Kd5 Ba7 53. Ke4 Bb6 54. Bf1 Ke6 55. Bc4+ Kf6 56. Bd3 Ke6 1/2-1/2

Game 10

[Event "WCh 2018"] [Site "London ENG"] [Date "2018.11.22"] [Round "10"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B33"] [WhiteElo "2832"] [BlackElo "2835"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "107"] [EventDate "2018.11.09"]  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb8 9. a4 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. b4 {Starting an attack on the Queenside. Protect against the a5 move. Try to save a tempo without moving the Bishop.} (12. Bd2 {Game 8}) 12... a6 13. Na3 a5 14. bxa5 (14. b5 $2 { Positional error.}) (14. c3 $5) 14... Rxa5 15. Nc4 Ra8 16. Be3 $1 (16. a5 b5 $1 17. axb6 Rxa1 $19) 16... f5 17. a5 (17. f3 $5) (17. f4 $5) 17... f4 18. Bb6 ( 18. Nb6 $6 fxe3 $5 (18... Nxb6 $1 19. Bxb6 Qe8 $36) 19. Nxa8 exf2+ 20. Rxf2 Rxf2 21. Kxf2 $14) 18... Qe8 (18... Nxb6 $6 19. Nxb6 Rb8 $14 { The b6-Knight is very strong.} 20. Bg4 Bxg4 21. Qxg4 $36 -- 22. c4 -- 23. c5) 19. Ra3 $5 (19. Bh5 $5 g6 20. Bf3 {Slowing down Black's attack.}) 19... Qg6 20. Bc7 e4 21. Kh1 $1 {Diagram #} b5 $5 (21... Kh8 {It's difficult to find good moves with White. It is a hight class useful waiting move.} 22. Rb3 $6 (22. Re1 {The f2 will be weak.}) 22... Nc5) 22. Nb6 (22. axb6 Rxa3 23. Nxa3 f3 24. gxf3 Ne5 $44 (24... exf3 25. Bxf3 Ne5 $44) 25. Rg1 Qh6 26. Qc1 Qh5 $44) 22... Nxb6 23. Bxb6 Qg5 {Diagram #} 24. g3 $6 (24. Bxb5 Rf6 25. Bc6 (25. Re1 Rg6 26. Bf1 Bf5 27. a6 Rh6 28. a7 e3 {Diagram #} 29. Rexe3 $3 (29. fxe3 Qg3 30. h3 { Diagram #} Rxh3+ 31. gxh3 Be4+ 32. Qf3 Bxf3+ 33. Bg2 Qxg2#) 29... fxe3 30. Bxe3 Qh5 31. Qxh5 Rxh5 32. Bb5 $18) 25... Rb8 26. Qe1 f3 27. g3 Qg4 $40 28. Bc7 $4 { Diagram #} Qh3 29. Rg1 Qxh2+ 30. Kxh2 Rh6#) (24. f3 $5) 24... b4 25. Rb3 (25. gxf4 $6 Qxf4 26. Rg3 Bh4 27. Rgg1 Bf6 $36) 25... Bh3 26. Rg1 f3 27. Bf1 Bxf1 28. Qxf1 {This was imperative; the only way.} (28. Rxf1 Qg4 $40 29. Rxb4 Rf6 30. Bd4 Qh3 31. Rg1 Qxh2+ 32. Kxh2 Rh6#) 28... Qxd5 29. Rxb4 Qe6 $1 {Nice centr alization. The Queen protect the e4 pawn and keeps an eye to h3 square.} 30. Rb5 Bd8 31. Qe1 Bxb6 32. axb6 Rab8 33. Qe3 Qc4 34. Rb2 (34. Qb3 Qxb3 35. Rxb3 $11) 34... Rb7 35. Rd1 {Diagram #} Qe2 $1 {A sneaky trap!} 36. Re1 { The idea is to keep the f2 pawn in its position to block the f3 pawn.} (36. Qb3+ Kh8 37. c4 Rxb6 $3 {This is the threat.} 38. Qxb6 (38. Rxe2 fxe2 39. Qxb6 exd1=Q+ 40. Kg2 Qf3+ 41. Kg1 Ra8 $19) 38... Qxd1#) (36. Qd4 e3 $3 37. c4 exf2 $1 38. Rxe2 fxe2 $19) (36. Qxe2 fxe2 37. Re1 Rxf2 38. Kg1 Rbf7 39. b7 Rf1+ 40. Kg2 Rxb7 41. Rxe2 Rxb2 42. Kxf1 Kf7 $17) 36... Qxe3 37. Rxe3 d5 38. h4 Rc8 39. Ra3 Kf7 40. Kh2 Ke6 41. g4 Rc6 42. Ra6 Ke5 43. Kg3 h6 44. h5 Kd4 $6 (44... Rd6 45. c3 $11) (44... g6 $5) (44... g5 $5) 45. Rb5 Rd6 46. Ra4+ Ke5 47. Rab4 Ke6 { Diagram #} 48. c4 dxc4 49. Rxc4 Rdxb6 50. Rxe4+ Kf7 51. Rf5+ Rf6 52. Rxf6+ Kxf6 53. Kxf3 Kf7 54. Kg3 1/2-1/2

Game 11

[Event "WCh 2018"] [Site "London ENG"] [Date "2018.11.24"] [Round "11"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "110"] [EventDate "2018.11.09"]  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 (4. Nd3 {game 6}) 4... Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O Nf6 10. Bd3 c5 11. Rhe1 Be6 12. Kb1 Qa5 13. c4 Qxd2 14. Bxd2 h6 15. Nh4 Rfe8 (15... Ng4 16. Ng6 Rfe8 $1 (16... fxg6 {Maybe this will give slightly hopes to White to play for something; he might consider to create a small initiative thanks to his activier Rooks.} 17. Rxe6 Nxf2 18. Rde1 Nxd3 19. cxd3 Bf6 20. Rxd6 Bd4 21. Rde6 $11)) 16. Ng6 Ng4 (16... fxg6 17. Rxe6) 17. Nxe7+ Rxe7 18. Re2 Ne5 19. Bf4 Nxd3 20. Rxd3 Rd7 21. Rxd6 Rxd6 22. Bxd6 Rd8 23. Rd2 (23. Bxc5 Rd1#) 23... Bxc4 24. Kc1 (24. Bxc5 Rxd2) 24... b6 25. Bf4 Rxd2 26. Kxd2 a6 (26... Bxa2 27. b3 $16) 27. a3 {Diagram #} Kf8 $6 (27... Bf1 $5 28. g3 f6 29. Bc7 b5 30. Bd6 c4 31. Ke3 Kf7 32. Bb4 $14) 28. Bc7 b5 29. Bd6+ Ke8 30. Bxc5 {Diagram #} h5 31. Ke3 Kd7 32. Kd4 g6 33. g3 Be2 34. Bf8 Kc6 35. b3 Bd1 36. Kd3 Bg4 37. c4 Be6 38. Kd4 bxc4 39. bxc4 Bg4 40. c5 Be6 41. Bh6 Bd5 42. Be3 Be6 43. Ke5 Bd5 44. Kf4 Be6 45. Kg5 Bd5 {Diagram #} 46. g4 hxg4 47. Kxg4 Ba2 48. Kg5 Bb3 49. Kf6 Ba2 50. h4 Bb3 51. f4 Ba2 52. Ke7 Bb3 53. Kf6 Ba2 {Diagram #} 54. f5 Bb1 55. Bf2 Bc2 $1 (55... Bxf5 $4 56. h5 $18 gxh5 57. Kxf5) (55... gxf5 $4 56. h5 f4 57. Kxf7 f3 58. h6 Be4 59. Kg7 Bd3 60. h7 Bxh7 61. Kxh7 $18) (55... Bc2 56. h5 gxh5 57. Kxf7 Bxf5 $11) 1/2-1/2

Game 12

[Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.07.30"] [Round "12"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B33"] [WhiteElo "2832"] [BlackElo "2835"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  {The last game, where so much is at stake. If Fabiano wins he'll become the 17th world champion. All his tournaments, all the work of his life has been aimed at reaching this point. After accomplishing everything necessary to reach the goal of playing for the World Championship, Fabiano has survived eleven tough rounds to get to this last game. I cannot think of any game where there's so much to play for. Will we see Fabiano win the biggest game of his life? Or will we see Carlsen defend his title once again?} 1. e4 {In the las t few months and in tournaments before this one, Fabiano had been experimenting with 1.d4 or 1.c4. Although he had great results with White in some games in the Catalan or the Nimzo, that was just a distraction for Magnus to ponder. In this match of all matches, Fabiano will stick to his main opening 1.e4!} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 { Shelving 3.Bb5, which has been played three times in this tournament.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 {As predicted by many people including myself, we see the Sveshnikov Sicilian for the last game. I'm sure many people were pleased to see such a sharp opening for the final game of the match. Magnus has strong nerves. In order to be able to play such a sharp opening you have to come very well prepared; there are many pitfalls and traps that Black can easily fall into the Sveshnikov. You have to have complete trust in your ability to calculate and assess the arising positions. Part of me wonders what would happen if Magnus employed 1...e5 in a game in this match.} 7. Nd5 (7. Bg5 {is the main move here by far. Fabiano has played this many times before, his most recent being a big win against Gata Kamsky in the 2017 US Championships.} a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 {Now Black can play both 10...f5 or 10...Bg7. This complex variation used to be very popular. Just a few years ago Boris Gelfand and Teimour Radjabov were staunch defenders of this line. These days we'll probably see 7.Nd5 grow into popularity since everyone copies the top player's games.}) 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 {While annotating game 8 for ChessBase, I wondered what would happen if Magnus chose 8...Ne7. Today we'll see exactly that.} ({The usual move} 8... Nb8 {was played in games 8 and 10.}) 9. c4 ({ Many years ago while reading Rogozenco's The Sveshnikov Reloaded book, I remember that 9.c3 was considered White's best. It gives White some extra options on the queenside.} 9. c3 { Now Black should probably play 9...Nf5 to keep d6 defended. If he tries} Ng6 $2 {it's a mistake since} (9... f5 $5 10. Qa4 Kf7 { is playable too, though White might be a bit better after} 11. Qb4) 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qc4 {is unpleasant. Especially after} Rc8 12. Qb4 { hitting the d6 and a7 pawns.}) 9... Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 {is a quick way to decide the last round game and head for the rapid playoffs. But if this happens we might see protesters and rioters in London, and the fans who paid tickets would definitely want a full refund. Playing top-level chess is not easy, but fortunately, Fabiano comes well prepared and ready to fight for an advantage.} 11. Qb4 Bf5 {The best move, I'm sure Magnus is still following his prep.} ({ The most natural move is} 11... Qb8 {It has been played 13 times in the past according to the ChessBase Live Book. Still, it doesn't seem to equalize. White just has too much space.} 12. h4 h5 13. Be2 a6 14. Nc3 Be7 15. g3 $14 { for example here. I still like White, after making natural moves for both sides. It seems to me that White has an easier game and the knight on g6 is misplaced.}) ({Needless to say} 11... Bxb5 12. Qxb5+ Qd7 {has to be avoided. No one should give up the bishop pair without getting something concrete in return.}) 12. h4 h5 $146 {Black pushes back and does not give White any more space to work with. Fabiano likes playing with a lot of space and it's dangerous to give him too much ground to work with. Coincidentally this is also a novelty according to my database.} (12... Be7 13. h5 Nf4 14. Be3 a6 15. Nc3 Nd3+ 16. Bxd3 Bxd3 17. Rd1) (12... a6 13. h5) 13. Qa4 {A provocative move and a typical strategy. By repeating the position twice a player can move the game closer to the time control on move 40. This allows him or her to have more time to think about critical positions. This makes more sense in complicated or unfamiliar openings like the Sveshnikov. In a Berlin 5.Re1 or asymmetrical Petroff, it is perhaps unnecessary. But in this game it could be beneficial as we are in a foreign territory at such an early stage of the game. } Bd7 14. Qb4 Bf5 15. Be3 {White gains time from creating threats on the queenside. I suppose he has to act quickly or else Black comfortably finishes his development. Then the construction of Black active pieces on the kingside guarantees counterplay. In that regard 15.Bg5 looks interesting too.} ({ A slow move like} 15. Be2 { will not cut it, if White is looking for an advantage. After} Be7 16. g3 a6 17. Nc3 e4 {Black creates strong counterplay with Bf6 and Ne5 coming next.}) ({ It is tempting to disrupt Black's development with} 15. Bg5 {and with hindsight I would recommend this movie. Black does not really want to play f6, and Be7 loses so} Qb8 {has to be played.} (15... Be7 $2 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. c5 { is bad for Black. Now his king is forced unto f6} dxc5 18. Qxc5+ Kf6 { And now 19.Nd6 leaves Black's king in a tough spot.} 19. Nd6 $16) 16. g3 (16. Qa5 $5 {is a deep computer move. The fun idea is that} b6 17. Qa4 Bd7 18. Bd3 { White wants to win quickly with Bf5 but} Be7 $1 { equalizes and takes out the fun.} (18... a6 19. Bf5 $1 { is tough to meet for Black.}) 19. Bxg6 fxg6 20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21. Qc2 Kf7 $11) 16... a6 17. Nc3 Be7 18. Be2 Qc7 {now we get a line very similar to the game, but Black has to spend two tempi moving his queen from b8 to c7. Also, Fabiano avoids the possibility of 15...Be7 as could happen in his game. It does not look like there is much different to the untrained eye but in top-level chess little things like this matter.}) 15... a6 {I wonder where both player's preparation ended. I suspect it was a move ago. Here Black has another seemingly better (albeit more risky) option.} ({I like here} 15... Be7 { Black is going to get fast development and piece play for his pawn.} 16. Nxa7 ( 16. Bxa7 O-O 17. g3 b6 {the bishop on a7 is in a tricky spot.}) (16. g3 { Black can finish his development by castling or go 16...Be4 and 17...Bf3.}) 16... O-O {White has many possibilities now. It is not simple to defend over the board against Black's initiative. Perhaps} 17. Bb6 (17. g3 Be4 18. Rh2 Bf3 19. Nb5 f5 $1 {with attack.}) (17. Qxb7 $2 Qa5+ 18. b4 Qa3 $19) (17. Nb5 Nxh4) (17. Be2 Nf4) (17. a4 Nxh4 $13) 17... Qd7 18. Qb5 { is the safest in order to trade queens. The position is very complex.} Bd8 19. Qxd7 Bxd7 20. Bxd8 Rfxd8 21. Nb5 Bxb5 22. cxb5 Ra4 23. g3 Rc8 $13) 16. Nc3 Qc7 {Solid and simple.} ({There is no need to go for asymmetrical positions} 16... Be7 17. Qxb7 O-O 18. O-O-O Nxh4 19. Qb6 $14 { it feels that the h4 pawn is not as important as Black's b7 pawn.}) 17. g3 (17. Qa4+ Bd7 18. Qd1 Ne7) 17... Be7 18. f3 (18. Qa4+ Bd7 19. Qd1 Bg4 20. Be2 Bxe2 21. Qxe2) (18. Be2 Nf8) 18... Nf8 $1 {Optimal rearrangement of the pieces. In these kinds of positions, you want to delay castling until White shows his hand. Castling short now will only tempt White to go for a full-frontal kingside attack with Be2, and g4/f4, etc.} (18... O-O 19. Be2 Bd7 20. a4 $1 { With the queenside closed, White can focus on planning his kingside attack.} f5 21. f4 exf4 22. gxf4 { the position is complex, but it should be in White's favour.}) 19. Ne4 Nd7 ( 19... Bxe4 20. fxe4 Nd7 21. Bh3 $14) 20. Bd3 O-O ({ Watching this game live I expected} 20... Bg6 {although perhaps it does not make much difference since Black has to castle sooner or later.}) 21. Rh2 $2 { No doubt the enormous tension of the last round of the World Championship match takes its toll on everyone. Both players start making mistakes. This has a nice idea to it, but it's too ambitious and simply does not work. White wants to play Rc2 and castle long, but this gives Magnus more than enough time and options to meet this plan. Fabiano gives the impression that he likes positions of opposite castled kings. Therefore this move does not come as a big surprise from him. It's just too ambitious.} ({ White has to acquiesce and play the calmer} 21. O-O Bg6 22. Qd2 {when f5 is by Ng5. White can still try to fight for an advantage if Magnus is not careful.}) (21. O-O-O b5 $15 {castling queenside is unrealistic at this point.}) 21... Rac8 ({Or} 21... Bg6) 22. O-O-O Bg6 {Now f5 is coming and it's unpleasant to meet it as White has no good way to prevent it. His best option now is to play calmly and brace for the coming storm.} 23. Rc2 ({I thought at first} 23. Kb1 { was better to keep the rook on the h-file for now.} f5 24. Ng5 Bxg5 25. hxg5 e4 26. fxe4 Ne5 27. Be2 {but still, both Ng4 or fxe4 now is in Black's favour.}) 23... f5 24. Nf2 (24. Ng5 Bxg5 25. hxg5 e4) 24... Nc5 $17 { Black has seized a powerful initiative and is slowly taking over.} 25. f4 { Desperation, but what else? White hopes to at least keep the g6-bishop away from the action.} (25. Bxc5 dxc5 26. Qe1 Rfe8 {as I said earlier no one really wants to give up the bishop pair unless necessary.}) 25... a5 {An automatic move in conjunction with a piece outpost on c5. I wonder if Magnus thought of or even considered b5 ideas here.} (25... exf4 26. Bxf4 b5 { looks powerful, and might be just close to winning.} 27. Qd2 {is the sternest defense when Black can go 27...Bf6, or 27.. .Qb6. White's position is tough to defend and his consolation (asleep bishop on g6) is not enough to save him objectively. His pieces are just badly placed especially the knight on f2. Not to mention shaky king safety.} (27. Kb1 a5 { when taking on b5 will lead to a queen trap after Be8.} 28. Qxb5 $2 Be8) 27... Bf6) (25... b5 {is perfectly good too with the same ideas.}) 26. Qd2 { I expected Bf6 now to keep the tension on the kingside open for a while, but Magnus has no qualms about closing it right away.} e4 (26... Bf6 27. Be2 { is possible, and now Black can think whether to take on f4 or play like Magnus with e4. The computer gives a large advantage for Black after taking on f4, but it is definitely far from clear over the board.} exf4 28. gxf4 Rfe8 29. Rg1 (29. Bd4 Qe7) 29... Bf7 30. Kb1 a4 { Black has Nb3 ideas and even positional exchange sacrifices on e3.} 31. Bf3 Rxe3 32. Qxe3 Re8 33. Qa3 Bd4 {these are computer lines of course. I cannot imagine anyone finding any of these in a tournament game.}) 27. Be2 Be8 { Still, even after not playing the best way on move 25, Magnus keeps hopes alive by maintaining a stable advantage. White has to solve the small issue of his vulnerable king.} 28. Kb1 Bf6 (28... Ba4 { is possible, White can sac the exchange with} 29. Bxh5 {now} b5 { is an out of this world move. Black is clearly better here by the way.}) 29. Re1 ({White's best defense is} 29. Nh3 $1 {posting the knight on g5. From there it always has the option to jump on e6 and create a distraction.} Ba4 $5 30. b3 {looks scary for White, though he probably just survives the onslaught.} Bxb3 31. axb3 Nxb3 32. Qe1 b5 33. c5) 29... a4 { Magnus misses a great opportunity to try to seal the deal.} (29... Ba4 $1 { is incredibly powerful. Black's attack is simply much faster in all lines. Here are some ChessBase engine analysis:} 30. Rcc1 (30. b3 Bxb3 31. axb3 Nxb3 32. Qd1 a4 $1 {Is a steady but sure way to win as White cannot defend against all the threats. Qa5 is Black's main idea.} 33. Bxh5 (33. Ka2 Qa5 34. Qb1 b5) 33... Qa5 34. Bg6 Qb4 {Now a possible line is} 35. Qh5 (35. Ka2 Nc1+) 35... Rfd8 36. Bxf5 Nd4+ 37. Rb2 Qxe1+ 38. Ka2 Nxf5 39. Qxf5 Bxb2 { when White loses all his pieces.}) (30. Bxh5 Bxc2+ 31. Qxc2 b5 32. cxb5 Qd7 33. Qe2 Na4 $19) 30... b5 $1 {An important follow up.} 31. cxb5 (31. Bxh5 Qb7) (31. Bd4 Bxd4 32. Qxd4 bxc4 33. Rxc4 Rb8) 31... Qb6 32. Bd4 Bxd4 33. Qxd4 Bxb5 34. Bxh5 a4 {basically Black is almost winning after 29...Ba4. I think though it is unrealistic to expect a person to find it over the board. Just reading the reports on ChessBase I can only imagine how much tension the players are going through to perform well. Pressure, pressure from every side.}) 30. Qb4 g6 31. Rd1 {When I first saw this movie I thought it was an internet glitch. I expected Fabiano to improve the position of his knight with 31.Nd1.} (31. Nd1 { White will hopefully unravel and take a solid stance with Qd2 and Nc3.}) 31... Ra8 {Draw agreed. A big surprise, considering that Black still had a stable advantage in the position and on the clock. (If I remember correctly Magnus had 50 minutes left here compared to Fabiano's 20 minutes.) I guess Nh3 followed by Ng5 gives White a solid position, so Magnus decided to call it a day. Magnus must be really looking forward to the rapid tiebreaks, as he did two years ago against Sergey Karjakin. He missed great winning opportunities on move 25 and move 29 and I sort of suspect he came into the game with an eye on the tiebreaks. It's also possible that he just wanted to make a lot of people happy (including myself). As two years ago we again get to see a four-game rapid playoff! I am very excited to watch this match live. My prediction is that Fabiano will give Magnus a run for his money. That said, rapid games are a totally different kind of chess. Usually, the player with better nerves wins. Let's see what happens.} 1/2-1/2

Tiebreaks

Rapid 1

[Event "World Chess Championship 2018"] [Site "London"] [Date "2018.11.28"] [Round "13.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 (3. Nf3 {Games 4 and 9}) 3... Bb4 4. e4 O-O (4... Bxc3 5. dxc3 Nxe4 6. Qg4 (6. Qd5) (6. Qe2)) 5. Nge2 c6 6. Bg2 a6 7. O-O b5 8. d4 d6 {Diagram #} (8... bxc4 9. dxe5) 9. a3 $146 (9. cxb5 axb5 10. h3 Re8 11. Be3 exd4 12. Bxd4 Bxc3 13. Nxc3 b4 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 { Zubarev (2470) - Vysochin (2542) // Ordzhonikidze // 2001 // 0-1}) 9... Bxc3 10. Nxc3 bxc4 { White gave up a pawn in order to gain an active position and the Bishop pair.} 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Na4 $44 Be6 (12... h6 {For example.} 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Nb6 Ra7 15. Nxc4 $16 {This is White's idea.}) 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Be3 Nbd7 15. f3 { White has compensation.} Rab8 16. Rac1 Rb3 17. Rfe1 Ne8 18. Bf1 Nd6 19. Rcd1 { White has the initiative.} Nb5 {Diagram #} (19... Nb7 $1 { This was the best defensive move with the idea to fight for the c5 square.}) 20. Nc5 $1 Rxb2 21. Nxe6 fxe6 {Diagram #} 22. Bxc4 $16 {Evaluate the position.} (22. Bg5 $4 Nd4 $1 23. Bxd8 {Diagram #} (23. Rxd4 exd4 24. Bxd8 Ne5 $19) 23... Nxf3+ 24. Kh1 Rxh2#) 22... Nd4 23. Bxd4 exd4 24. Bxe6+ $1 (24. Rxd4 Kf7 25. Red1 Ne5 $1 {The same tactic.} 26. Rxd8 Nxf3+ 27. Kh1 (27. Kf1 Nxh2+ 28. Kg1 Nf3+ 29. Kf1 Nh2+ 30. Ke1 Nf3+ 31. Kf1 Nh2+ $11) 27... Rxh2#) 24... Kf8 25. Rxd4 {White has material advantage.} Ke7 (25... Ne5 $4 26. Rxd8+ $18 { This is a check.}) 26. Rxd7+ Rxd7 27. Bxd7 Kxd7 28. Rd1+ Ke6 29. f4 c5 30. Rd5 Rc2 31. h4 c4 32. f5+ (32. Rd4 $5 $14) 32... Kf6 33. Rc5 h5 34. Kf1 Rc3 35. Kg2 Rxa3 36. Rxc4 Ke5 37. Rc7 {Diagram #} Kxe4 $6 {Diagram #} (37... Ra2+ $1 38. Kh3 Kxe4 39. Rxg7 Ra1 40. Rc7 $1 (40. f6 $2 Kf3 41. Kh2 Ra2+ 42. Kg1 Ra1+ 43. Kh2 Ra2+ 44. Kh3 Ra1 $11) 40... Rf1 41. Rc6 Rxf5 42. Rxa6 Rc5 $16) 38. Re7+ $3 (38. Rxg7 Ra2+ 39. Kh3 Ra1 {With similar ideas.}) 38... Kxf5 39. Rxg7 Kf6 40. Rg5 a5 41. Rxh5 a4 42. Ra5 Ra1 43. Kf3 a3 44. Ra6+ Kg7 {Diagram #} 45. Kg2 (45. Kg4 a2 46. Kg5 Rg1 $1 $11 47. Rxa2 Rxg3+ $11) 45... Ra2+ (45... a2 46. g4 $18 Kh7 47. h5 Kg7 48. g5 Kh7 49. Ra7+ Kg8 50. g6 Kh8 51. h6 Kg8 52. Ra8#) 46. Kh3 Ra1 47. h5 Kh7 48. g4 Kg7 49. Kh4 a2 50. Kg5 Kf7 51. h6 Rb1 52. Ra7+ Kg8 53. Rxa2 Rb5+ 54. Kg6 Rb6+ 55. Kh5 1-0

Rapid 2

[Event "World Chess Championship 2018"] [Site "London"] [Date "2018.11.28"] [Round "14.1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2832"] [BlackElo "2835"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "56"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 (8... Nb8 {Game 8 and 10}) 9. c4 Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 {Diagram #} Qb8 (11... Bf5 {Game 12}) 12. h4 h5 13. Be3 a6 14. Nc3 a5 15. Qb3 a4 16. Qd1 Be7 17. g3 {Diagram #} Qc8 $1 (17... O-O $2 18. Qxh5 $16) 18. Be2 Bg4 19. Rc1 ( 19. Bxg4 hxg4) 19... Bxe2 $1 20. Qxe2 Qf5 {Diagram #} 21. c5 $5 (21. Nb5 $5 O-O 22. O-O Rfc8 23. Kg2 Ra6 $132) 21... O-O (21... dxc5 $6 {Diagram #} 22. Bxc5 Bxc5 23. Qb5+ $14) 22. c6 bxc6 23. dxc6 Rfc8 24. Qc4 Bd8 25. Nd5 {Diagram #} e4 (25... Ba5+ $6 26. Kf1 $14) 26. c7 $2 (26. Bd4 $1 $15 Ba5+ $5 (26... Ra5 $5)) 26... Bxc7 $1 $19 27. Nxc7 Ne5 28. Nd5 $2 (28. Qd5 $5 Rab8 29. O-O Rxc7 30. Rxc7 Nf3+ 31. Kg2 Qxd5 $19) 28... Kh7 $1 (28... Rxc4 $6 29. Ne7+ Kh7 30. Nxf5 Nd3+ 31. Kd2 Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Nxc1 33. Kxc1 $14) (28... Kh7 $1 29. Qb5 (29. Qxc8 Rxc8 30. Rxc8 Qxc8 $19) 29... Rxc1+ 30. Bxc1 Nd3+ 31. Kd1 Nxf2+ 32. Ke2 Nxh1 $19) 0-1

Rapid 3

[Event "World Chess Championship 2018"] [Site "London"] [Date "2018.11.28"] [Round "15.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2832"] [Annotator "Kesaris"] [PlyCount "101"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"]  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bc5 6. Nc2 (6. Be3 $2 Qb6 $15) 6... Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be3 $5 (8. Be2 $5) 8... b6 9. Be2 (9. Bxc5 bxc5) 9... Bb7 10. O-O Qe7 11. Qd2 Rfd8 12. Rfd1 Ne5 {Black is threatening d5.} 13. Bxc5 bxc5 (13... Qxc5 14. b4 Qc7 15. Nb5 Qb8 16. f3 $14) 14. f4 Ng6 15. Qe3 d6 ( 15... d5 $6 16. exd5 exd5 17. Qxe7 Nxe7 18. cxd5 Nexd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Ne3 $14) 16. Rd2 a6 17. Rad1 Qc7 18. b3 h6 19. g3 Rd7 20. Bf3 Re8 { Black is threatening d5.} 21. Qf2 Ne7 22. h3 Red8 23. Bg2 Nc6 24. g4 Qa5 25. Na4 Qc7 {Diagram #} 26. e5 $1 (26. g5 $5 hxg5 27. fxg5 Nh5 28. Qh4 g6 29. Ne3 $11) 26... dxe5 27. Nxc5 Rxd2 28. Rxd2 Rxd2 29. Qxd2 Ba8 {Diagram #} (29... exf4 30. Nxb7 Qxb7 31. Qxf4 $11) 30. fxe5 (30. Nxa6 $4 Qb6+ 31. Kh2 Qxa6 $19) 30... Qxe5 31. Nd7 Qb2 (31... Nxd7 32. Qxd7 -- 33. Bxc6) 32. Qd6 Nxd7 (32... Qxc2 33. Qf8+ Kh7 34. Nxf6+ gxf6 35. Qxf7+ Kh8 36. Qf8+ $11) 33. Qxd7 Qxc2 { Diagram #} 34. Qe8+ $1 (34. Bxc6 $4 Qb1+ 35. Kg2 Bxc6+ 36. Qxc6 Qxa2+ 37. Kg1 Qxb3 $19) 34... Kh7 35. Qxa8 {Diagram #} Qd1+ $1 (35... Nd4 $4 36. Be4+ g6 37. Bxc2 $18) 36. Kh2 Qd6+ 37. Kh1 Nd4 38. Qe4+ f5 39. gxf5 exf5 40. Qe3 { Aiming for Bd5.} Ne6 {Diagram #} 41. b4 Ng5 (41... Qxb4 $4 42. Qxe6 $18) 42. c5 Qf6 43. c6 Ne6 44. a4 $18 Nc7 45. Qf4 Ne6 46. Qd6 Qa1+ 47. Kh2 Nd4 48. c7 Qc3 ( 48... Ne2 {Diagram #} 49. Qc5 $1 (49. c8=Q $4 Qg1#)) 49. Qc5 Qe3 50. c8=Q f4 51. Qg4 1-0

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