11/20/2016 – Game No. 7 Draw! (3.5-3.5) Annotated by Tiger Hillarp Perssson. A Chebanenko Slav that turned into a QGA after move five ended in a draw. Instead of grabbing space with 5.c5 or 5.Nf3 b5 6.c5 Karjakin prefered 5.Bd3 and Carlsen accepted the invitation to play ...5.dxc4. 18...Rc8, awarded with a ?!?!?! by Radjabov, was called a blunder immediately after the game by Carlsen. Karjakin admitted that he 'didn't know the theory too well.' Our coverage and commentary in the newsblog.
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World Chess Championship News - 2016-11-20
Game No. 7 - Notes by Tiger Hillarp Persson:
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Notes by Tiger Hillarp Persson -1.d4!?I had decided not to watch any of
the news on the game, in order to avoid reproducing what others have mused.
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!?2.c4c6
Already the last move was a bit of a surprise, but this is twice surprise.
Normally, both Carlsen and Karjakin favour 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 as Black, but then
they diverge. Carlsen usually meets 3.Nf3 with d5, whereas Karjakin slightly
prefers 3...b6 over d5. Considering how close their main repertoires are after
1.d4, it is not that big of a surprise that Carlsen decides to surprise.3.Nc3Nf64.e3a6This 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...e6leads 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 analyzed.5.Bd3No! I
couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this. Now Black is able to enter a line
from the Queens 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
analyzed, 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 with5.Nf3b5and then White has a choice
between the very ambitious6.c5and the less ambitious 6.b3. It says a lot
about Karjakin's attitude that he chooses none 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!6.Bxc4e67.Nf3c5So, 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 realize that the knight lacked flexibility on c3. Since
then White's main ideas in these positions all have one thing in common;
avoiding to put 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.8.0-0Here White has
the option of playing8.a4, which is fairly dull, especially for Black.
AfterNc69.0-0Be710.Qe2cxd411.Rd1e512.exd4exd413.Nxd4Nxd414.Qe5Qd6White is marginally better, although the results tend towards draws,
aplenty.8...b59.Be2And 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.Bb3Bb710.Qe2I was hoping for10.e4!?10...Nbd711.Rd1Qb8has a solid reputation for Black and is the reason
why White started experimenting with not putting the knight on c3.9...Bb79...Nbd710.d5exd511.Nxd5Bb712.Nxf6+Qxf613.a4b4seems to be about
balanced, but White can set Black some problems with14.e4after which the
game Aronian,L (2795)-Ponomariov,R (2710) SportAccord Blitz 2014, continued:Be715.Bc4Rd8?!16.Qe2Qg617.Bf40-018.Bc718.Rfe1!?18...Rc819.Bg3a520.Rfe1with some initiative for White.10.dxc5!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!?Not exactly a novelty, but played at
a 2700+ level for the first time.10...Bxc511.Qxd8+Kxd812.Nd2has
been scoring well for White among engines.Karjakin had to suffer this
position himself once as Black. That game went:10...Qxd111.Rxd1Bxc512.Nd2!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.Nbd712...Nc613.Nce4Nxe414.Nxe4Be7would be similar to the game if the queens
were still on. But since they aren't White can play15.Nd6+Bxd616.Rxd6Ke717.Rd113.Nb3Bb613...Bb414.a4b415.a5!Bd816.Na4Be717.f3g518.e4g419.Be3when White had a big advantage and eventually won, in
Fressinet,L (2700)-Karjakin,S (2775) Beijing (blitz) 2012.11.Nd2As seen
on the last move, this is the standard reaction when the queens go off 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 be11.Qxd8+Rxd812.b4!?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 opponents preparation. Not
finding a clear road to an advantage he then proceeded to play a "normal" move.
I'm just guessing though.Nxb413.a4!One immediately spots that the
queenside pawns will disappear and then the question is: how much activity
does White have?Bxc5With some silicon-based help, it is possible to find
that13...Nc214.Ra2Nb415.Rd215.Ra3Bxc516.axb5Nd3!17.Rb30-015...Bxc516.Rxd8+Kxd817.axb5axb518.Nxb5Ke719.Ba3Ra820.Rc1Nd7is a long line that just holds, although one sure wouldn't like to
calculate and play it over the board.14.axb5axb515.Bxb5+Bc615...Ke716.Na4Bd617.Nb6and White develops some quite nasty pressure.16.Ba3Bxb517.Nxb50-018.Rfc1Be7and Black should be within drawing distance
since19.Rc7can be met withRd7=11.Qc211...Bxc5It's not only
the Giuoco Piano that can lead to an asymmetrical pawn structure. ;)12.Nde4Here the idea from Fressinet-Karjakin (above) doesn't work:12.Nb3Bd6!
and White is stuck with a passive bishop, a cramped position and with no way
to use the c5-square.13.e4?b4!12...Nxe413.Nxe4Be7Something has
gone wrong for White and Black's position is very comfortable. The pressure to
equalize is already on White.14.b3Nb4!15.Bf3!0-0Perhaps Carlsen
was too happy with the draw, because here he wastes a chance to put more
pressure on Karjakin:15...f5!The point is to get the bishop to the
f6-a1-diagonal, when protecting a2 becomes very hard.16.Nd216.Nd6+Qxd617.Bxb7Qxd118.Rxd1Ra719.Bf3Bf620.Rb1Nxa216...Bxf317.Nxf3Qxd118.Rxd1Bf619.Nd4Not a happy move for White to play, but there is nothing
else.Kf7and Black has some pressure.16.Ba3!Karjakin pulls the
break just in time. With more exchanges Black's has nothing more than a little
extra space, which is a very nominal advantage indeed.Rc8?!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+Bxf618.Bxb7Bxa119.Bxb4Bf620.Bxf8Qxd121.Rxd1Rxf822.Bxa6Karjakin has won a pawn but needs one more move to
make it count (a2-a4).b4!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.Rc1g624.Rc2Ra8The
tactical blunder I was referring to is24...Bc3?!25.Bc4Kg7?26.a4!
, when White's winning chances become very real.25.Bd3Rd826.Be2Kf827.Kf1Ra828.Bc4Rc829.Ke2Ke730.f4h631.Kf3Rc732.g4g533.Ke4Rc8
White cannot make progress, so draw was agreed.½–½
8.00 Mumbai time/ 3.30 Hamburg/ 21.30 New York: Game seven analysis and key positions explained by Sagar Shah on ChessBase India newspage.
22.17 / 5.17 pm: Draw. Carlsen admitted in the press-conference that 18...Rc8 was a blunder. Karjakin: 'Not a long game, but quite interesting, I didn't know the theory too well... At the end I could not improve my position.' A bit later the challenger said: 'You have to grab the chances when you get them. My only chance was in game five.' Magnus Carlsen: 'The results of the last games were decent for me.'... 'The last two games were not that interesting, but in most of the games something was happening.'
Cliffhanger with a question asked by a boy: When Sergey played 17.Nf6+, was it like 'Uh oh, ooh, I've got to get the draw?' for you? (Update with the press conference will follow). Check out the newsblog 2016-11-21 for fresh coverage.
Breaking news: Karjakin cancelled the helicopter flight - because of the good weather. But he will go up in the air, probably after the next game.
22.14 / 5.14 pm: Judit Polgar after 33...Rc8 - "Magnus is saying: 'my pieces are placed perfectly.'"
22.09 / 5.09 pm:
22.04 / 4.04 pm:
21.53 / 3.53 pm: Judit Polgar showed remarkable prediction skills by proposing somewhere around 19...Bf6 that the game might result in a R+B vs. R+B endgame.
21.37 / 3.37 pm: Radjabov is obviously in good spirits today.
Ahhhhh! I have got the point! Now Carlsen takes Karjakin's strategy! He will upset Karjakin,by drawing this game!Great work!#carlsenkarjakin
21.32 / 3.32 pm: According to Judit Polgar, after 18...Rc8 ('obviously a miscalculation'), Black can only play for two results. White, however, can play for a win for 80 or more moves, she says.
21.25 / 3.25 pm: Radjabov made a remarkable point before 18...Rc8?!?!?!:
Karjakin will defend 3rd worse endgame in 4 games. If this is a strategy it's risky and will be amazing if it works. #carlsenkarjakin
21.18 / 3.18 pm: Is Carlsen too eager to get a draw? His 18...Rc8 is criticized by Polgar and Radjabov and both claim that Carlsen is going for a draw. A draw might indeed be the most likely result. Polgar predicts a R+B vs R+B or a rook endgame. Carlsen looks a little nervous, but this might be misleading.
@rajachess weird move. Why Carlsen went for that ?
21.10 / 3.10 pm: Fabiano Caruana is among the spectators and plays some blitz.
21.00 / 3.00 pm: Tejmur Radjabov is giving insightful comments. Predicted ...Nb4 by Magnus Carlsen. He is joking and suggests the arbiters should reduce the time control. "They do the bad moves fast anyway."
f5 would be certainly a better try. Still long game awaits. #carlsenkarjakin
20.55 / 2.55 pm: The first move was executed by Gbenga Akinnakgbe, an actor best known for his role as Chris Partlow in "The Wire". Akinnakgbe is a huge chess fan.
20.46 / 2.46 pm:
And play this match,in fair competition and a lot of efforts. Please respect both of the players #carlsenkarjakin
20.41 / 2.41 pm: Judit Polgar is surprised about Karjakin's approach. According to the star commentator, Black has no problems at all. The bishop on b7 could become very powerful. She even states that she would prefer Black now. Some engines share this opinion.
No turning point detected yet.
20.32 / 2.32 pm: 'Smart is the new sexy' - Kaja Snare
Wrote an article for CBM about this line, but it still needs to be published. Carlsen played rare 10...Nc6 #CarlsenKarjakin@ChessBase
20.14 / 2.14 pm: Karjakin doesn't like to commit to early and prefers to lose a tempo with 5.Bd3 instead of going for 5.Nf3 b5 6.c5 preparing later piece sacrifices on the queenside to get the pawns rolling. Maybe we will see some action later.
20.04 / 2.04 pm: A Chebanenko Slav! Can get interesting, Premium users can follow the game via playchess.com - others can use the widget on the left of our starting page.
18.41 Hamburg time / 12.41 am New York time: Game No. 7 is going to start soon, with Sergey Karjakin playing White. If you like to practice a little, try this puzzle and wander with a knight over the board until every square has been covered only once. Grandmaster Gregory Serper practiced this blindfold as a schoolboy during lessons.
After the German premiere of the film 'Magnus' I asked two chess playing boys from Berlin (10 and 12) what they had liked most about the film, and they said: 'The day off in Chennai.' (twelve year old Minh Tham) and 'When Carlsen was so nervous during the match against Anand that he dropped the pieces.' (Minh's 10-year old brother Nam Tham, who already played in the European Youth Championship, check out the report on our German site).
A day off is quite something when you're not in Kalmykia but in New York City. We'd like to know what they were doing but of course we're respecting the player's privacy. Speaking of which: The camera in the rest room. What was going on? Did Carlsen know it streams the scenes to the world wide audience? During the press conference Carlsen said he wouldn't care, but the camera is switched off now.
(Helicopter picture in colour source is here. Black and White picture by F.O. Updates coming up)
So our prediction Karjakin will be roofing or feeding lions didn't proof to be right. But sort of. Now we hope both players refreshed their good spirits. We're expecting a fight with Karyakin playing White in some hours.
21:40 / 3:40 pm: The game ended in a draw. After three fascinating games in rounds three, four and five the players didn't excite the audience today. Tomorrow is a rest day, so Sergey has enough time to prepare something against Carlsen's ...d5!
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