[CHESS] World Championship 2021: Carlsen Vs. Nepomniachtchi

[l3pox]

Yes another draw, both players able to get into a small bit of trouble and get out
of it too.

I believe the first pawn move from each player was played by a guest but both
Nepomniachtchi and Carlsen refused and played their own pawn positions.
Is this a normal start or is it just a symbolic gesture to invite guests to start
the match?

never seen that before
but find it really weird
even though i'm not the one who watches most of chess games

anybody else knows about it?
would like to know that too

[qwertyup23]

Game 5 just ended and that was truly an intense match to watch!

The opening and middle game went in favor of Nepo where Magnus back was pushed against the wall. The preparation made by Nepo is just truly incredible but one tempo changed the outcome of the game when he moved his rook to D1 on move 21. That gave Magnus the opportunity to remove the white Bishop and liquidate the pieces which contributed to the attack.

The fact that Magnus withstood the immense pressure, with the black pieces and with the preparation of Nepo is a testament to his name.

[tokeweed]

^  I watched some of it earlier today live at YT.  It was good.  But there comes a point in the match when the decisions take a bit longer...  But overall good for any chess enthusiast.  I kinda played a bit during elementary school but was never really any good...  But I tried. 

Anyway where can we bet this per match?  It’s been ending in a draw for 5 matches now.  One of them is prolly due for a win.

[LUCKMCFLY]

if anybody is interested on checking the PNG of the game found it on yotube in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFThQFRZJNs

Code:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Na5 9. Nxe5 Nxb3 10. axb3 Bb7 11. d3 d5 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. Qf3 Bd6 14. Kf1 Rfb8
15. Qxd5 Nxd5 16. Bd2 c5 17. Nf3 Rd8 18. Nc3 Nb4 19. Rec1 Rac8 20. Ne2 Nc6 21.
Be3 Ne7 22. Bf4 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Bxf4 24. Nxf4 Rc6 25. Re1 Nf5 26. c3 Nh4 27. Re3
Kf8 28. Ng2 Nf5 29. Re5 g6 30. Ne1 Ng7 31. Re4 f5 32. Re3 Ne6 33. Ng2 b4 34. Ke2
Rb8 35. Kd2 bxc3+ 36. bxc3 Rxb3 37. Kc2 Rb7 38. h4 Kf7 39. Ree1 Kf6 40. Ne3 Rd7
41. Nc4 Re7 42. Ne5 Rd6 43. Nc4 Rc6 44. Ne5 Rd6 45. Nc4

what is the prize for the 2nd place? or is it a winner takes all?


by the way if anybody here is on lichess message me here and I can tell you my user there, I've been playing some correspondence games with friends now and then and it's a lot of fun
with 24-48 hours to make each move.

Thank you very much for bringing it, I recreated everything on my board, and they really have master moves that it is still difficult for me sometimes to decipher the reason and the construction that they do, it is something really great what these people think, I think that I still have a long way to go. to learn, I play chess since I was a child, but wow the combination of these strategies are incredible, even so there are some movements that I do not understand but that in the end make a lot of sense, I think that the strategic position is what defines them the most, the funny thing is that It is very difficult when they are wrong.

[Boristhecat]

Yesterday I had certain problems with access, so I did not have time to post here the odds from the bookmakers for yesterday's game, so I am doing it now:

6,00 - 1,30 - 7,20

The odds for tomorrow's game are:

4,70 - 1,28 - 12,5

Based on how the games play, I continue to think that betting on a draw is easy money (the odds drop too slowly on this outcome) and betting on Nepo is profitable with such huge odds.

[AicecreaME]

Yes another draw, both players able to get into a small bit of trouble and get out
of it too.

I believe the first pawn move from each player was played by a guest but both
Nepomniachtchi and Carlsen refused and played their own pawn positions.
Is this a normal start or is it just a symbolic gesture to invite guests to start
the match?

never seen that before
but find it really weird
even though i'm not the one who watches most of chess games

anybody else knows about it?
would like to know that too

It is one of the openings in chess. I always see it from Carlsen especially if he is playing against someone who is too good. I don't know the right term but yes, it is normal. If I'm not mistaken, they are gonna move both knights and then a little opening by moving a pawn then they will position their higher pieces slowly to tighten up the game to execute the checkmate as soon as possible.

[l3pox]

<..>
Thank you very much for bringing it, I recreated everything on my board, and they really have master moves that it is still difficult for me sometimes to decipher the reason and the construction that they do, it is something really great what these people think, I think that I still have a long way to go. to learn, I play chess since I was a child, but wow the combination of these strategies are incredible, even so there are some movements that I do not understand but that in the end make a lot of sense, I think that the strategic position is what defines them the most, the funny thing is that It is very difficult when they are wrong.

oh, glad it was useful for you!
I still didn't have the time to put it on lichess and study the game
but it's nice how you can learn a lot by studying the games of these grandmasters


cool @AicecreaME
thanks for the information!

[tokeweed]

Yesterday I had certain problems with access, so I did not have time to post here the odds from the bookmakers for yesterday's game, so I am doing it now:

6,00 - 1,30 - 7,20

The odds for tomorrow's game are:

4,70 - 1,28 - 12,5

Based on how the games play, I continue to think that betting on a draw is easy money (the odds drop too slowly on this outcome) and betting on Nepo is profitable with such huge odds.

What crypto sports betting site are you using?  And by the looks of it, most of these chess matches end in a draw?  How do they determine the winner?

And how did the line at game 5 almost even for each player and then right now at game 6 it’s 12.5 for the other guy?  This guy Magnus is prolly the bet now at 4.70 now, right?

[qwertyup23]

In my opinion, game 6 is definitely the best game yet in this WC tournament where we were able to witness both Magnus and Nepo missing the winning idea in their respective moves.

In the opening, Magnus dragged Nepo away from opening theory in which they just wanted to play pure chess. But around move 18, the former had his back against the wall on that queen exchange and Nepo just missed the winning idea of Bb2 which could have at least given him the advantage of being two pawns up.

This is also the longest game so far which lasted for 136 moves in which Magnus still tried winning the endgame. Nevertheless, it was an exciting match to see where it was a roller-coaster of emotions!
Game 7 ended fairly quickly especially that Nepo was with the white pieces this time. I was somehow expecting him to push harder and try a new opening in order to bounce back from his loss last night. Then again, we saw another Spanish opening by Nepo in which Magnus replied with similar moves which happened on Game 5.

Like what was mentioned on the commentary on chess24, do you guys think that the loss of Nepo in Game 6 substantially affected his confidence in the entire match? While I do understand that it is too early to conclude, but do you think that Nepo would be able to win a match against Magnus this WC?

[Boristhecat]

In my opinion, game 6 is definitely the best game yet in this WC tournament where we were able to witness both Magnus and Nepo missing the winning idea in their respective moves.

In the opening, Magnus dragged Nepo away from opening theory in which they just wanted to play pure chess. But around move 18, the former had his back against the wall on that queen exchange and Nepo just missed the winning idea of Bb2 which could have at least given him the advantage of being two pawns up.

This is also the longest game so far which lasted for 136 moves in which Magnus still tried winning the endgame. Nevertheless, it was an exciting match to see where it was a roller-coaster of emotions!
Game 7 ended fairly quickly especially that Nepo was with the white pieces this time. I was somehow expecting him to push harder and try a new opening in order to bounce back from his loss last night. Then again, we saw another Spanish opening by Nepo in which Magnus replied with similar moves which happened on Game 5.

Like what was mentioned on the commentary on chess24, do you guys think that the loss of Nepo in Game 6 substantially affected his confidence in the entire match? While I do understand that it is too early to conclude, but do you think that Nepo would be able to win a match against Magnus this WC?

The 6th game is a typical win for Magnus (I mean the last stage if I may say so about a few hours of endgame play haha) - he got a minimal advantage, and in a situation where most of the players would have already agreed to a draw, he tortured his opponent to the last. And even in a draw position (the computer showed that Nepo could get a draw) he was able to win.
As for Nepo's chances, I am sure that this defeat did not change much (one game is unlikely to decide the outcome of the match) - I am sure that he has a lot of preparations for this match and given such a long distance he will be able to successfully use at least one. I am confident that he will win at least one game against Magnus.
The odds for today's game are as follows:
4.90
1.30
9.30
I still think that betting on a draw is easy money and betting on Nepo is profitable with such a huge odds.

[l3pox]

for those interested on seeing the games in an interactive way, where you can go back and see comments on each move lichess has this published article with the 7 games and the interactive board
it's really usefull

https://lichess.org/blog/YaqhUBEAACIAu7T1/carlsen-versus-nepomniachtchi-fide-world-championship-round-6

example of Game6 moves + comments: (on the website it's a bit better because you have the board too)

Code:

1.d4No 1.e4 today. Magnus wasn't impressed by his play against the Petroff Defense and decides to return to 1.d4.1...Nf62.Nf3d53.g3e64.Bg2Be75.O-OO-O6.b3!?Catalan without
c4 being played? What is this? Is it even a challenging line? Frankly speaking,
it is not. But as Peter Heine Nielsen (the loyal member of Team Carlsen) said,
what they don't dare getting opening-edge with White. Their goal is simply to
avoid well-trodden lines and get into a fresh area where Magnus could try
proving why he is a number one player in the world.6.c4dxc47.Qc2b5is what happened in game 2.6...c5Of course! Black doesn't miss the
momentum to challenge the center!7.dxc5Bxc58.c4you don't see often a
position that been played only couple of times by move 8.8.Bb2is a more
natural follow up.8...dxc49.Qc2Nand here comes the novelty!9.bxc4was played in that single in the same year I was born - 1995!9...Nc6looks totally comfortable for Black.9...Qe710.Nbd2another game Magnus
is willing to sac a pawn in the opening!10...Nc6this time Nepo is not
interested in having 'extra' pawn! I guess it was the right call!
10...cxb3was however totally legit!11.Nxb3Bd611...Bb412.Nfd2bringing
Knight to -c412...Nc613.Nc4⇆White looks to have enough compensation for
sacrificed pawn and Black has some difficulties with the development.
11.Nxc4b5!?Ian meets Carlsen's novelty with enthusiasm!12.Nce5Nb4
12...Bb7is no good due to simple tactical nuance13.Nxc6Bxc614.b4!now Black is in trouble14...Bxf315.Bxf3Bd415...Bxb416.Bxa8Rxa817.Qc6+−16.Bxa8Bxa117.Bf3Qxb418.Bd2Qd419.Rb1+−White eventually will
return the pawn and yet remain with Bishop pair in an open position, whilst
all Black pieces being disharmonized.
13.Qb2Bb7Despite the fact Ian got
surprised in this game, he handled the position well and now Black seems to
have even easier play!14.a3Nc615.Nd3typical for Catalan - Knight
rethreat. In fact, more often we see the f3-Knight getting to to -e5 and then
to -d3.15.Bg5Nxe516.Qxe515...Bb616.Bg5Rfd817.Bxf617.Rac1Nd4looked good for Blackgxf6Interesting and ambitious decision!
Seems like Nepo tries to play for something more than equality!17...Qxf6is what I was expecting from the challenger, trading off the Queens and play
pleasant endgame with the Bishop pair.18.Qxf6gxf619.Rfc1Rac8looks
totally comfortable for Black18.Rac1Nd418...e5with the idea of
forking the Knights with ...-e4 leaves f5-square weak.19.Nh4⇆19.Nxd4Bxd420.Qa2the Queen is placed weird on -a2. Yet defending the a3-pawn is a
temporary task as White is planning to play either b4 or a4 with the next move
and later bring back the Queen into the game.20...Bxg221.Kxg2Qb7+22.Kg1Qe4Centralization! How to evaluate this position? From one side Black pieces look
more active, on the hand White's totally safe and has better pawn structure.
If White manages to coordinate pieces, they can fight for something more than
a draw. At the moment I'd call it dynamical equality.23.Qc2a524.Rfd1Kg724...f5!?looks natural for Black, defending the Queen and extending the
a1-h8 long diagonal for the Bishop.25.Rd2Position seems to be dull and
empty. As often it happens in chess, engines shows trimple zeros. However,
spent 33 (!) minutes by Magnus on his last 2 moves (24.Rfd1 and 25.Rd2) tells
us how, in fact, the position is complex. These moves may seem slow, but they
are often very deep. With these two moves Magnus defends his e2-pawn and is
ready to trade the Queen on two Rooks in case of ...-Rc8Rac8And that's
what we see on the board. I'm a bit surprised with Ian's decision, I should
tell. Not that it's a bad move, no. In point of fact engines like and approve
this continuation, however, it felt like there was no reason for Black to
enter unbalanced position, whilst the solid play could maintain the equality.25...f5again looked good26.Qd1Rdc826.Qxc8Rxc827.Rxc8Qd5challenging White's queenside pawns.28.b4a4now a3-pawn is Black's
potential target29.e3Be5
29...Bb2immediately looked the easiest for
Black30.Rc5is only move for White to keep the balance in the position.30...Qd631.Rxb2Qxd332.Rbc2yet another only move!32...Qxa333.Rxb5Qa1+34.Kg2Qb1freeing the road for the a-pawn whilst attacking c2-Rook and eyeing
e4-square.35.Rc4a3looked like an easy draw for Black36.Ra5a237.Rg4+Kf838.Ra8+Ke739.Ra7+Kf8only but enough for a draw move.39...Kd6??loses due to40.Rd4+Kc641.b5+!an important nuance41...Kxb542.Rda4+−and White manages to hold the a-pawn. Black King is way too far from its
kingside pawns. White's winning.40.Ra8+Ke7and another game in the match
could have ended by three-fold repetition.
30.h4!in post-game commentry
Magnus said he won this blockbuster mostly because he was more patient in the
game. This is one of the moments where we can see how patiently and
masterfully handles extremely complicated position. White does not rush
anywhere, yet slightly improves his position.30...h5is again a move that is
approved by the engines, however, for a human eye -h5 looks a bit "weakening".
With other words, inclusion of h4-h5 in a long run is a concession for Ian.
The pawn on -h5 now (and seems like forever) is fixed on a light square. It
cannot be defended by the Bishop anymore.31.Kh2another slow, prophylactic
move, shows Magnus' titanic patience!31...Bb2??Black finally does this move,
but at the very wrong moment!32.Rc5Qd6
32...Qd7leads to a Bishop trap33.Rcc2!Bxa334.Ra2e5last try35.e4!35.Rxa3does not win due to35...e4Qc636.Rxa3Qxe437.Raa2+−
33.Rd1was played instantly,
meanwhile 33.Rc2 was very strong! But try figuring out without assistance of
the engine!
33.Rxb2Qxd334.Rbc2Qxa335.Rxb5
33.Rcc2!Bxa334.Nf4
34...Qxb435.Rd7!was out of Magnus' radar, is what
he admitted in the press conference after the game. White creates a powerful
attack on Black's King. Black needs to find a way how to defend from Nxe6 or
Rcc7, attacking the f7-pawn.35...Qb3is the only logical way to do so36.Rcc7e537.Nxh5+Kg638.Rc6!beautiful motif.38...Kxh539.Rxf6+−Black King
is in a mating net! Rdxf7 or Rd8 followed by bringing the Rook onto the h-file
with the final touch f3 is one of the main threats of White.
34...Qf835.Rc7Kg836.Rdc2Qxb437.Rc8+Kg738.Nxh5+Kg639.Nf4+Kg740.R2c7Qe441.Rd8
33...Bxa334.Rxb5Qd7is what Magnus overlooked! He believed he manages to hold the
b4-pawn, but now he is fated to lose it!35.Rc5
35.Rxh5??is in fact a
losing move as Rook gets trapped!35...Bxb4and Black wins.36.Nb2
36...Qc6+−wins easily
36...Qxd1could be a fun but totally unnecessary line where37.Nxd1a3White has two tempi to stop the a-pawn from promoting, but they
are unable to do it. Yet, they are not lost and saving the game with.38.Rb5a239.Rxb4a1=Q40.Rd4should be easily holdable.
35...e5!?Yet Ian doesn't take the pawn. He intends to win the game by playing ...-e4
next!
35...Bxb436.Rcc1Ba537.Nf4Qb5looked decent for Black, but I
bet Ian rejected playing it because of38.Rb1Qf5and39.Rb7now White
puts serious pressure along the 7th-rank. Especially in a time trouble
situation it's extremely difficult to assess position correctly. Black would
be totally fine after39...e5!40.Nh3Qe641.Ra7Qb3
36.Rc2
36.e4gives Black an opportunity of playing36...Qd4this doesn't look practically
great for White, despite the fact that engines say White is safe after37.Ra5Qc4!38.Rxa4Qb339.Rxa3Qxa340.b5Qb3and b5-pawn falls.41.Rd2Qxb5Can White hold this? I guess they have to. In this case Magnus would rather
believe in fortresses!
36...Qd5This move amazes me! Black is not into
capturing the b4-pawn!
36...e437.Nb2Qe638.Nc4Bxb439.Ra1Qd7looks like what happened in the game with one significant difference. Black's
e4-pawn is yet alive!
36...Bxb4is although something I'd play without
thinking!37.Rcc137.Nb2Qg4!Ba3!38.Ra138.Nxe5Qf5-+Qg4!Black Queen gets out of the x-ray attack, keeps an eye on
d1-Rook and yet defends a4-pawn. Next, Black is going to rethreat the Bishop
and play ...-a339.Rd2Bf8∓this doesn't look for for White!
37.Rdd237.Rcd2was an alternativeQb338.Ra2e4?Someone complained
about 'too-accurate' chess after game 3, huh? Here we got the blunderfest!
After this inaccuracy, White is totally winning. Accoding to engine.
38...Bxb439.Rdb2Qxd340.Rxb4a341.Ra4f542.R4xa3Qf1seems to be drawish
as Black keeps an eye on -f2 pawn and one of the Rooks of White should always
be defending the pawn.
38...f5was best according to engine39.Nc5Qxb440.Nxa4Qb3followed by ...-f4 and crushing White King's shield.
39.Nc5Qxb440.Nxe4?sad for Magnus, but he misses the winning
opportunity on critical, control move! Some say move 40 tends to be the most
error happening move. Leko once told, it's in fact move 41. The reason is, a
player is maximally concentrated and gives his all until gaining additional
move. Then, after 40-move control has passed and extra time been added on the
clock, players usually relax and sometimes way too much and lose the
concentration.
40.Rdc2!was nearly winning on the spot!40...f541.Nxa4Qxa441...Qb342.Nc3+−Knight is getting to -e2 and next hopefully -f4 or -d4.42.Rc3+−after the Bishop is taken, White will group the Rooks either
on the fifth or seventh rank, after what f5 or f7 pawn falls.
40...Qb3Control move was made by Ian too! What has just happened! We just witnessed
Big Big Drama! Despite numerous errors from both sides, position has again
stabilized! Now another phase in the game is starting. The question is, will
Magnus be able to attack Black's weak pawns, or the -a passed pawn is way too
strong?41.Rac2prepares Nc5 with the next move, from where it most
probably is being redeployed to f4.41...Bf842.Nc5Qb542...Bxc5??cannot be
played43.Rxc5a344.Rc1+−followed by Ra1; Rda2 and winning the a-pawn.43.Nd3a344.Nf4yes, Magnus does bring the Knight on f4. Still position
shouldn't be bad for Black.44...Qa545.Ra2Bb446.Rd3
46.Rd5might win a
pawn but worsen White's chances.46...Qa647.Nxh5+?!Kh648.Nf4Qc4now
White's pieces are discoordinated.49.Ra1Qc350.Rdd1Qc251.Nd3Bf8↑followed by ..-a2
46...Kh6King comes to a defense of the h5-pawn so now
the Queen is free to move around.47.Rd1Qa448.Rda1Bd649.Kg1Qb350.Ne2Magnus decides his Knight has no longer any potential on -f4 and brings it to
-d4 and perhaps later c2-a3?50...Qd351.Nd4Kh7in order not to get any
unpleasant forks from f5.52.Kh2Qe4another controversial decision by Ian.
Perhaps another moment where we see Magnus' patience and endurance were
superior today.
52...Kg6A waiting move is what I'd consider doing. The
critical thing is, there's yet no direct plan for White how to improve the
position!53.Nc2might look annoying as White's got already three (!)
attacks on a3-pawn, but Black has got53...Be5!now54.Nd4is best what
White has got.54.Nxa3with the try of getting Rook+Knight+pawn against
the Queen, in fact might cost White the game.54...Qb3!and White's paralyzed.
Next, ...-Bxa1, Rxa1-Qb2 is the idea.
53.Rxa3!Now White gets some
hopes!Qxh4+53...Bxa354.Rxa3should be easy win for White as all Black
pawns are vulnerable and White has many54.Kg1Qe4
54...Bxg3?55.fxg3Qxg3+56.Kf1+−and it seems like Black has no eternal checks
54...Qh3
55.Ra7h456.Rxf7+Kg8!57.Raa7hxg358.Rg7+Kh859.Rh7+Qxh760.Rxh7+Kxh761.f4Kg662.Kg2f5leads to a drawish endgame.
55.Ra4!?would be quite a try55...h456.Nf3Bxg3!57.Rf1!now White threatens to capture the BIshop, since f3-Knight is defended already57...Qd7!58.Rd4Bd6!59.Rxh4+Kg7After numerous 'only moves', many pawns
been removed from the board. I believe Black should be able holding this
endgame rather easily.
55.Ra4!Only move for fighting for some edge. With such little annoying moves, Magnus puts serious pressure on his opponents! Usual Magnus stuff!Be555...Bxg356.Ne2+−56.Ne2Qc257.R1a2Qb358.Kg2Qd5+59.f3With last moves White was trying
to stabilyze and improve King's safety. Objectively such positions (with
perfect play) should end in a draw, however, the problem with Black's position
is, they have no much of counterplay. Usually, in such positions White's
strategy is to keep the tension and simply potter around. The longer game is,
the more Black's chances of going wrong are!59...Qd160.f4Bc761.Kf2Bb662.Ra1Qb3Black tries putting as much pressure as possible. White has to defend
-e3 pawn now.63.Re4That's what they do63...Kg764.Re8Now White's plan is
to play Raa8 and create mating threats!64...f5Ian opens an air for the King65.Raa8Qb466.Rac8Again, despite the fact that engines show triple zeros,
it's extremely hard to come up with some active plan for Black. Cause, it
simply does not exist. Black should instead be in a waiting mode and parry all
White's little ideas. That's one of the most difficult things to do in chess.
Especially for ambitious Ian.66...Ba5Black tries to get the Queen on e167.Rc1Prevented.67...Bb668.Re5now -f5 is being attacked.68...Qb3-f5 is defended by
attacking the -e3 pawn.69.Re8Rook return to the place where it came from.
Magnus repeats position (had Black played 69...-Qb4). Not because he accepts
the draw. It's done to extend the game and tire the opponent.69...Qd570.Rcc8Qh171.Rc1Qd571...Qh2+72.Kf3h4trying to weaken White's King73.gxh4+−only weakens Black's! Knight on -g3 will be defending White and attacking Black's King!72.Rb1as we can see, position hasn't been changed for at least
last ten moves. In such cases defender often gets the illusion that he holds
the position any way. This illusion may sometimes be misleading. With the next
move Ian does small inaccuracy after what Magnus gets a chance to transform
the position into R+N+2p vs Q, where he will have better chancesBa772...Bc7was keeping position as it is.73.Re7Bc574.Re5Qd375.Rb7now
White Rooks found ideal setup. How to defend the Bishop?Qc275...Bd676.Rd7+−76.Rb5seems like Black is totally lost now. But tactical nuance
keeps them in the game76...Ba777.Ra5Bb678.Rab5Ba779.Rxf5Qd3!Both
Rooks are loaded by defending each other. Any Rook coming to e5 in fact
doesn't defend the e3-pawn.80.Rxf7+!
80.Rfe5Bxe3+81.Rxe3Qxb5
80.Rbe5Bxe3+81.Rxe3Qxf5
80...Kxf781.Rb7+Kg682.Rxa7AbasovThat's the position we were talking about in our comments to move 72. With the given material on the board Black should still be able to hold the position, however, some precision is already being required from them!AbasovThat's the
position we were talking about on move 72. With given material on the board
Black should still be able to hold the endgame, however, some precision is
already being required now!82...Qd583.Ra6+I remembered one more beautiful game with a similar material balance (R+N+p vs Q) by Carlsen. For those who are interested in studying more of such an unbalanced endgame, I'd recommend seeing Carlsen,M - Navara,D game from Biel, 2018.83...Kh784.Ra1Kg685.Nd4Qb786.Ra2Qh187.Ra6+Kf788.Nf3Qb189.Rd6Kg790.Rd5Qa2+91.Rd2Qb192.Re2Qb693.Rc2Qb194.Nd4Qh195.Rc7+Kf696.Rc6+Kf797.Nf3Qb198.Ng5+Kg799.Ne6+Kf7100.Nd4Qh1First 'Century' of the match! You don't see it in chess as often as in snooker!101.Rc7+Kf6102.Nf3Qb1103.Rd7Qb2+104.Rd2Qb1105.Ng1Qb4106.Rd1Qb3107.Rd6+Kg7108.Rd4Qb2+109.Ne2Qb1110.e4with last nearly 40 moves Magnus did nothing much on the board but exhaust his
opponent. Ian most probably has to defend for another 50 moves, until Magnus
advanced the pawn again.110...Qh1111.Rd7+Kg8112.Rd4Qh2+113.Ke3h4Ian
takes some actions first. By trading off his last pawn he wants to open up the
position of the White King, so he can check it from the flanks as well.114.gxh4Qh3+115.Kd2Qxh4116.Rd3Kf8117.Rf3Qd8+118.Ke3Qa5119.Kf2Qa7+120.Re3Qd7121.Ng3Knight stands great on g3. It defends the -e4 pawn and
guards the King from checks121...Qd2+122.Kf3Qd1+123.Re2Qb3+124.Kg2Qb7125.Rd2Qb3126.Rd5The Rook is activated. Seems like White managed to improve
the position significantly. Yet, this position is a draw, according to endgame
databases.126...Ke7127.Re5+Kf7128.Rf5+Ke8129.e5As it's said in a well
known quote: 'Once your all pieces stand well, push your passed pawn!"129...Qa2+130.Kh3Qe6?RIght it's past midnight in Dubai, after 7 hours and 35
minutes of battling, Nepo makes a crutial mistake! Now, according to
Lomonosov's 7-piece endgame tablebase White's winning.
130...Qb1was one
of the two moves that keeps Black in the game. Idea is to get the Queen to -d1.131.Rf6Qd1132.Kh4132.Rd6Qf3!and Black is safeQe1!again strictly the only move!133.Kg4Qg1and Black is safe. But it's
unhuman way of defending!
130...Qc2with the same idea
131.Kh4Qh6+132.Nh5Qh7problem with this move is that it's not even threatening
anything!133.e6!the most precise133...Qg6
133...Qxf5loses to elementary134.Ng7++−
133...Qe7+134.Kg4134.Rf6??Qa7Qb7135.Rd5!beautiful way of killing all Black's hopes
133...Qa7134.Kg5only!134...Qg1+135.Kf6activity of the King decides the game!
134.Rf7Kd8
134...Qh6in one of the live broadcasts a very strong GM suggested135.Rh7?it shows how tiring a chess game can be and how difficult it is to keep the
concentration for the duration of 7-8 hours! It's never late to make a mistake
and lose a game...135...Qxh7and there's no Nf6 fork due to the pin. Black wins!
134...Qxe6135.Ng7+Kxf7136.Nxe6Kxe6137.Kg5leads to a winning pawn
endgame137...Kf7138.Kf5!+−Last touch! Opposition!
135.f5Qg1136.Ng7!

[qwertyup23]

Game 8 was just heartbreaking for Nepo. I mean, I do understand that people blunder their moves but in this level of competition where the next World Champion title is at stake, blundering a pawn can really turn the tide of the battle. Unlike in game 2 where both players had the opportunity of having the winning advantage, game 8 is another story where someone blundered and the other capitalize on it.

Some mentioned that the commentators (e.g. Caruana, Ashley, etc.) were somehow harsh on the comments against Nepo but again, in this kind of competition, accuracy and patience are the winning key. With two (2) games down to Nepo, I do think that the title is decided already.

[aoluain]

First to 7.5 points wins I believe, its now 5-3 to Carlsen, looks like its an uphill task
for Nepo. Could he possibly be suffering still from that 8 hour game in #6,
mentally drained perhaps and Carlsen to be more aggressive in game 8 to push
his opponent knowing the previous game 7 was gruelling and 6 a marathon?

[coco23]

First to 7.5 points wins I believe, its now 5-3 to Carlsen, looks like its an uphill task
for Nepo. Could he possibly be suffering still from that 8 hour game in #6,
mentally drained perhaps and Carlsen to be more aggressive in game 8 to push
his opponent knowing the previous game 7 was gruelling and 6 a marathon?

Nepo will really have to come forward and play offensive in the remaining games. Looks like it's a sure win for Carlsen, payout for him is now 1.25

[Boristhecat]

First to 7.5 points wins I believe, its now 5-3 to Carlsen, looks like its an uphill task
for Nepo. Could he possibly be suffering still from that 8 hour game in #6,
mentally drained perhaps and Carlsen to be more aggressive in game 8 to push
his opponent knowing the previous game 7 was gruelling and 6 a marathon?

Nepo will really have to come forward and play offensive in the remaining games. Looks like it's a sure win for Carlsen, payout for him is now 1.25

Where did you find these odds? I see that those bookmakers who still accept bets on the outcome of the whole match are ready to give only 1.02 for Magnus. 1.25 is easy money and just a gift in this situation.

The odds for tomorrow's match are:
5.50 - 1.40 - 5.40
As before, I believe that the draw is profitable, besides, I believe that Nepo should win at least one game, so the 5.5 odds when playing with white looks attractive.

[l3pox]

<...>

Some mentioned that the commentators (e.g. Caruana, Ashley, etc.) were somehow harsh on the comments against Nepo but again, in this kind of competition, accuracy and patience are the winning key. With two (2) games down to Nepo, I do think that the title is decided already.

I can't even imagine the pressure of battling for more than 7h in a game
must be really hard for them and energy consuming

but why so many games? I'd would understand 5 or 7 games but having 10+ is really necessary?

[Boristhecat]

I can't even imagine the pressure of battling for more than 7h in a game
must be really hard for them and energy consuming

but why so many games? I'd would understand 5 or 7 games but having 10+ is really necessary?

Yes, this is necessary because it is not a lottery here, but an exact determination of who is stronger in chess. Judging by your surprise, you have never heard of the first Karpov-Kasparov match (when there was still no limit on the number of games and draw games were not taken into account).
Look here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_1984
48 games in a row!

The odds for today's game are:
3.20
1.50
9.80

Nepo is really demoralized, but the odds of a draw and his victory are still very good.

[l3pox]

totally agree it shouldn't be a lottery @Boristhecat
I just thought it would be possible to have reliable results with less games, but well, if before we had 48 games in a row (didn't know that), and now we have 14, we came a long way! 

[Cnut237]

Nepo is really demoralized, but the odds of a draw and his victory are still very good.

It was a draw, but the last few days have definitely demoralised him. He has no chance of winning the championship, but if he plays conservatively and keeps drawing, then he's lost by three points without winning even one game. I wondered if he might play a more risky strategy from now on, in the hopes of getting just one win on the board. Losing by four points is no different to losing by three points, but getting even one win at this stage might mean something to him.

[l3pox]

Nice Draw, that was a really clean game,

Lichess blog post is updated with all the games up to game number 10, linking it again for those who may want to check.

here are the moves of Game 10 with comments but it's much better to check it on the website with the interactive board.

Code:

In the press conference after game 9 Magnus was asked, when he had just a 1 game lead, if he picked solid and sound continuations (Like move 10 Qe1 in Game 8). Now, when he has a 3 games lead, what shall we expect in the following 5 games in terms of the style of play? On this, Magnus replied it's more up to Ian.1.e4e52.Nf3Nf6Petroff Defense.3.Nxe5
3.d4is what Magnus opted in his winning Game 8.3...Nxe44.Bd3d55.Nxe5Nd76.Nxd7Bxd77.Nd2!?-see Game 8
3...d64.Nd3!?Deviation from classic variations. Perhaps, not many of you have seen this move before. Clearly, 4.Nf3 is the main move but starting from 2018 the other two Knight retreats (4.Nc4 and 4.Nd3) gained significant popularity.4.Nc4is the second option4...Nxe45.Qe2Qe76.Ne3and this setup has some similarities with Carlsen's choice4...Nxe45.Qe2Qe76.Nf4This position also occurred in Game 6 of the match Carlsen - Caruana back in 2018.6...Nf6
6...Nc6was the choice of the challenger in the previous match.7.Nd5positions looks to be lost for Black, since White has numerous threats, yet after counter-tactical strike Black is perfectly fine.7.c3Nf68.d4would transpose to the text game.7...Nd4!both Queens are hanging now8.Nxe7Nxe29.Nd5Again White has attacked into two points, but Black keeps the balance attacking symmetrical squares.9.Bxe2Bxe79...Nd4!
10.Na3!?Ne611.f3N4c512.d4Nd713.c3c614.Nf4Nb6You rarely see by move 14 both sides to play in total 19 times with the Knights. What a horse race!15.Bd3d516.Nc2Bd617.Nxe6Bxe618.Kf2h5is how the game proceeded in Game 6 of the London match. Later, this relatively calm and sound position turned to be one of the dramatic games of the 2018 World Championship Match. Caruana - with the Black pieces was extremely close to winning the game,vhaving an extra piece for only a pawn in the endgame. Yet, the game ended in a draw on move 80.
10.Bd3a try of defending c2-pawn with a tempo doesn't lead to a win for White due to10...Nc511.Nxc7+Kd812.Nxa8Nxd3+13.cxd3Nc2+14.Kd1Nxa1and despite the fact that White has an extra pawn on d2, the position is equal.
7.d4
7.Nc3is what happened once in my game7...c68.f3!?White tries to seize the kingside by playing g4 later.g5!?was what I played. Perhaps, it was over-ambitious.8...h5!?was a better try9.h4Bf59.Nd3Be610.b3Bg711.Bb2Nbd712.O-O-Oh612...O-O-Oloses a pawn due to double-attack after.13.Qe3±13.Qf2and White was clearly better. I eventually managed to hold the draw against Ganguly.
7...Nc68.c3both sides seem to be in a peaceful mood today.
8.Be3!?keeping Queens on the board could have been a try to play for the initiative
8...Bf59.Nc3O-O-O10.d5Ne5
11.Bxa7g5!?11...b6?12.Qa6++−12.Nh3Bxc2!?13.Be3!13.Qxc2??would be fatal for White13...Nf3+14.Kd1Qe1#Bd313...Nd3+??14.Kd2and Black loses a piece.14.Qd1Bxf115.Kxf1h616.Ng1↑bringing the Knight back to life.
11.O-O-OKb8?!11...a612.Qd2g513.Nh3h614.Qd4looks promising for White12.Qb5+−looks bad for Black.
8...g59.Nd3Bg710.Nc3Be611.O-O-Oh612.h4↑
8...d5
8...g5!?considering the given situation in the match, this is how Ian should have played I assume.9.Nd39.Qxe7+Bxe710.Ne2Nd511.Ng3h5↑...½,Harikrishna, P - Bai, J (China, 2019)Rg8⇆followed by ...-Bd7, long castle and advancing kingside pawns.
9.Nd2Nd8With the b8-c6-d8-e6 zig-zag manoeuvre brings the Knight to -e6, trying to trade off the Knights9...Bd7followed by long castle also looked reasonable10.Nf3Qxe2+11.Bxe2Bd612.O-OO-ONow, when Queens are off the board; both sides having castled kingside and have symmetrical pawn structures, the position has a drawing tendency13.Bd3Re814.Re1Rxe1+15.Nxe1Ne616.Nxe6Bxe6with last moves and a couple more exchanges position simplified even more.17.g3thematic move, freeing g2-square for the Knight.17...g6Black copies White's strategy18.Ng2Re819.f3controlling -e4 and -g4 squares19...Nh520.Kf2
20.g4Ng721.Bf4Bxf422.Nxf4g523.Ng2h524.h3hxg425.hxg4f5leads to similar positions as in the game
20...c621.g4Ng722.Bf4Bxf423.Nxf4g5!important move, otherwise White's spatial advantage on the kingside would give lasting edge for White.24.Ne2f5stabilizing position with aggressive approach.25.h3Kf726.Rh1h627.f4now pawns27...fxg428.hxg4Bxg429.Rxh6Bf5defending from Bg629...Bxe2??30.Bg6++−30.Bxf5Nxf531.Rh7+Ng7
31...Kg6would also be perfectly fine32.Rxb7Nd633.Rxa7Ne4+34.Kg134.Kf3Nd2+35.Kf2Ne4+Nd2and again White has nothing better than35.Kf2Ne4+
32.fxg5Kg633.Rh3Kxg5now when all pawns on the kingside are traded, no doubts remain about the outcome of the game.34.Rg3+Kf635.Rf3+Ke736.Nf4Kd637.Ng6Re638.Ne5Ne839.Rf7Rf6+40.Rxf6+Nxf641.Ke3The game ends in a draw. Magnus is one more step closer to officially retaining the crown. Tomorrow is the rest day in Dubai. In the next game, Ian is having White pieces. Does he plan to go for a 'consolation goal' or we are going to see a relatively sound opening concept by him? We will know about it on Friday. Meanwhile, enjoy chess!