Carlsen-Caruana Chess World Championship

barrysloate · #1 11-26-2018, 12:26 PM

The 12th and final game just ended in a draw.

With all due respect, the game started out sharply with both players fighting for a win. Fabiano had an early advantage, but let it slip as Magnus developed a very strong attack. He wavered a little, and then without warning offered Fabiano a draw. Apparently he actually said he would have a big advantage in the tiebreaker and expected to beat Caruana. Very strange ending for sure.

Wednesday they play four games, 25 minutes each per player, and if that ends 2-2 they will play a long series of 5 minute blitz games until someone wins.

In Carlsen's long career, he has never lost a tiebreaker. Wednesday should be interesting.

Arazi4442 · #2 11-26-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrysloate

The 12th and final game just ended in a draw.

With all due respect, the game started out sharply with both players fighting for a win. Fabiano had an early advantage, but let it slip as Magnus developed a very strong attack. He wavered a little, and then without warning offered Fabiano a draw. Apparently he actually said he would have a big advantage in the tiebreaker and expected to beat Caruana. Very strange ending for sure.

Wednesday they play four games, 25 minutes each per player, and if that ends 2-2 they will play a long series of 5 minute blitz games until someone wins.

In Carlsen's long career, he has never lost a tiebreaker. Wednesday should be interesting.

No matter how the tiebreak ends up, I'm sad to say I was pretty disappointed in this world title match. Magnus looking to cement his status as the best ever vs. the first American challenger in nearly a half century. If they had traded hyper aggressive wins or even if they both took chances and Magnus wiped the floor with Fabiano, it could have gotten much more attention.

Like waiting 4 years for a Super Bowl game and it's decided in OT by a FG contest.

barrysloate · #3 11-26-2018, 12:46 PM

I was just watching the grandmasters moderating the match do an analysis of the position. In almost every line, Magnus had a winning game. Yet he decided to offer Fabiano a draw, when Fabiano was in very bad time pressure (which of course makes it harder to find a successful defense). None of them understood why he did not press on to victory.

When Carlsen was shown all his winning lines in the post game analysis, he apparently responded "I don't care." A great mystery to me.

barrysloate · #4 11-26-2018, 12:47 PM

Peter- I just noticed you posted the result a minute before me. Obviously we were typing at the same time.

Peter_Spaeth · #5 11-26-2018, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Peter- I just noticed you posted the result a minute before me. Obviously we were typing at the same time.

No doubt your analysis was far superior.

I was just conveying my gut reaction.

Peter_Spaeth · #6 11-26-2018, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I was just watching the grandmasters moderating the match do an analysis of the position. In almost every line, Magnus had a winning game. Yet he decided to offer Fabiano a draw, when Fabiano was in very bad time pressure (which of course makes it harder to find a successful defense). None of them understood why he did not press on to victory.

When Carlsen was shown all his winning lines in the post game analysis, he apparently responded "I don't care." A great mystery to me.

His analysis obviously was that, even with an advantage in the game, his chances of winning were greater in a tiebreaker. Risk averse. Not like a true champion. If he were a boxer he'd be content to win on points. I lost a lot of respect for him. I hope somehow Caruana can speed up his play and win.

barrysloate · #7 11-26-2018, 01:17 PM

If Caruana were to win the tiebreaker, Magnus's decision to offer a draw will haunt him for a long time to come. If he wins it, it will soon be forgotten.

One thing I learned in this match is that Carlsen was a better player four or five years ago than he is now. Chess players can't stay at their peak forever, and while he is still arguably the strongest player in the world, the rest of the pack is gradually catching up. A 23 year old Magnus would have won this match handily. He is now pushing 28, and while still very young, he is in the early stages of his downswing.

ALR-bishop · #8 11-27-2018, 08:02 AM

Maybe he should join Ernie Ratelband's lawsuit in order to lower his age back to 23

This discussion is now getting depressing for old guys like me.

barrysloate · #9 11-27-2018, 08:16 AM

I'm 66 Al, and although I still love to play chess, the old noggin' doesn't always calculate as quickly and clearly as I would like.

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