After the disastrous game 8, Carlsen came into game 9 trailing 4.5 to 3.5. The question on everyone's mind was would Carlsen have the mental fortitude to come back? It appears that he has lost the psychological battle allowing himself to be shaken by Karjakin's tenacious defense, declining many opportunities for draws in game 8 and eventually dropping the full point. Now, in game 9 as Black, would Karjakin be able to shut door on a comeback and win again?
Though the win did not come for Karjakin, he held the initiative for nearly all of game 9. Carlsen tried a pawn sac that led to a host of weak pawns for Karjkin but a few minor inaccuracies handed Karjakin a chance to secure a second straight win. As Caruana said during game 8, Carlsen's opening choices "seem a little tame". Tame this opening was allowing him to only play for a draw. But, despite the pressure the World Champ did not crack and will now have 2 White games out the remaining three.
Look for game 10 to be a real fighting game by Carlsen and some incredible defense from Karjakin. If Carlsen can level the playing field here, then the match will be anyone's to win. But, if he does not, he will be in serious trouble of losing the top chess crown.
Game 9 -
Carlsen - Karjakin World Championship Date "2016.11.23" Location: New York, New York Result 1/2-1/2 White Sergey Karjakin Black Magnus Carlsen 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.axb5 axb5 11.Na3 O-O 12.Nxb5 Bg4 13.Bc2 exd4 14.Nbxd4 Nxd4 15.cxd4 Bxf3 16.gxf3 Nh5 17.Kh1 Qf6 18.Be3 c5 19.e5 Qe6 20.exd6 c4 21.b3 cxb3 22.Bxb3 Qxd6 23.Ra6 Rfd8 24.Rg1 Qd7 25.Rg4 Nf6 26.Rh4 Qb5 27.Ra1 g6 28.Rb1 Qd7 29.Qd3 Nd5 30.Rg1 Bc7 31.Bg5 Re8 32.Qc4 Rb5 33.Qc2 Ra8 34.Bc4 Rba5 35.Bd2 Ra4 36.Qd3 Ra1 37.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 38.Kg2 Ne7 39.Bxf7+ Kxf7 40.Qc4+ Kg7 41.d5 Nf5 42.Bc3+ Kf8 43.Bxa1 Nxh4+ 44.Qxh4 Qxd5 45.Qf6+ Qf7 46.Qd4 Ke8 47.Qe4+ Qe7 48.Qd5 Bd8 49.Kf1 Qf7 50.Qe4+ Qe7 51.Be5 Qe6 52.Kg2 Be7 53.Qa8+ Kf7 54.Qh8 h5 55.Qg7+ Ke8 56.Bf4 Qf7 57.Qh8+ Qf8 58.Qd4 Qf5 59.Qc4 Kd7 60.Bd2 Qe6 61.Qa4+ Qc6 62.Qa7+ Qc7 63.Qa2 Qd6 64.Be3 Qe6 65.Qa7+ Ke8 66.Bc5 Bd8 67.h3 Qd5 68.Be3 Be7 69.Qb8+ Kf7 70.Qh8 Qe6 71.Bf4 Qf6 72.Qb8 Qe6 73.Qb7 Kg8 74.Qb5 Bf6 1/2-1/2