Chess

[Federberg]

True. But to open up lines against the f-file and exchange off a great piece for blacks white square bishop which wasn't doing anything made no sense to me

 

[Federberg]

Lol! Svidler and Gustafssen are discussing whether this is the worst played WCC of all time on chess24

 

[DarthFed]

I don't think the white bishop is strong after black gets Be6 in. If you're white and you don't see nh5+ then the open F file isn't particularly bad and the doubled e pawns for black became the weakness that ended up costing him the game. If Carlsen had seen the draw I'm guessing he plays Ra3 , Nd2, or Nc4 instead of Bxe6, certainly Bc2 isn't good.

 

[DarthFed]

Pretty balanced position after 17 moves. Black has some good opportunity on the queenside while white could get a decent attack going.

 

[DarthFed]

Pretty damn complicated but I prefer black here after d5.

 

[Federberg]

Fair play to Magnus. He does like to walk a fine line. One wrong move and it's over. Should be a draw with correct play

 

[Federberg]

Good game. Magnus is one creative dude. Wouldn't it be ironic if the chess.com match against Hikaru give Magnus the preparation he needs to the tie break

 

[DarthFed]

I will be interested to see how aggressive Magnus gets tomorrow. He is white but tiebreaks favor him big and he knows it. I kind of feel tomorrow is Karjakin's best chance to win the match and it only happens if Carlsen goes cowboy again

 

[Federberg]

Wouldn't it be funny if Sergey plays the Sicilian to Magnus's e4?

 

[DarthFed]

That would be something!

 

[Federberg]

Reviewing game 11, I have to say, in terms of style Magnus played his most Carlsen-esque game of the match. Maybe he's recovering his mojo

 

[DarthFed]

Well the game is actually tomorrow. I don't like the switch as it had been 2 games and a rest day for the whole match until now where there was a rest day after game 10 and now after game 11. I think that is a pretty decent advantage to whoever has white last (Carlsen)

 

[Federberg]

Yes I did wonder about that. But on the other hand Sergey has only ever beaten Magnus playing black. Frankly he's only ever beaten Magnus when Carlsen has over extended. So it might not be as bad for him. I bet he needs as much rest as possible too

 

[Federberg]

I am utterly disappointed that Magnus didn't want to fight today

 

[DarthFed]

Totally boring game but I get the idea from both sides. No one figured Karjakin could draw the match and make it into a 4 game rapid match to decide it but Carlsen knows he is still a strong favorite here. Magnus pushing too hard for a win today was Karjakin's best chance to win the title

 

[DarthFed]

Draw agreed. So tiebreaks will take place on Wednesday. 4 rapid games, then 2 blitz games if needed, and an armageddon game after that. It is pretty exciting but I do think Magnus takes this home in rapids.

 

[Federberg]

Yup. I have to admit the odds of him winning are greater now. Interestingly he has an inactive rapid rating of 2818. Wonder what his true level is right now. He's a former World Rapid Champion so he's no mug

 

[DarthFed]

I am surprised to see his rapid rating is that high. Maybe it's a lesser advantage than I thought. But still, Carlsen is the best player in the world in classical, rapid,and blitz. So he should feel pretty comfortable.

 

[Federberg]

So excited! Finality at last!

 

[DarthFed]

The live broadcast on chessgames is already down. Thank God for ICC, that better not crash!