Yesterday in New York City, Game 12 registered the shortest World Championship match in modern chess history. In just 34 short minutes, the competitors shook hands and agreed to a draw. The game was not as simple as it sounds but rather the challenger Sergey Karjakin praised his preparation saying that there were many ways for Black to go wrong. Carlsen as White seemed to squander a chance to put his opponent to the test with the main question still looming: Who will be the next World Chess Champion?
Both competitors are excellent rapid and blitz players. Generally Carlsen has the edge here as he destroyed Hikaru Nakamura and a host of other top players in the Blitz Battle earlier this year. But, Karjakin is a formidable opponent in his own right. The chess world will forever remember his incredible come back against Peter Svidler in the 2015 World Cup. He was on the ropes and about to settle for second place when he made a miracle come back to win. Incredible as it was, he needs to get a jump on Carlsen and win as soon as possible.
Karjakin has White in the first game which should give him a slight psychological edge. He will try to outplay Carlsen while that slippery World Champ will try to steer the game into unchartered opening waters. Carlsen seems to have some serious tricks up his sleeve as he was very guarded about answering preparation questions at the Game 12 press conference. Either way the games go, we will surely be in for a treat with at least 4 rapid games plus blitz to follow!
Event: Carlsen - Karjakin World Championship Site: New York City, New York Date 2016.11.28 Round: 12 Result: 1/2-1/2 White: Magnus Carlsen Black: Sergey Karjakin 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.Bf4 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Ne8 13.c3 d5 14.Bd3 g6 15.Na3 c6 16.Nc2 Ng7 17.Qd2 Bf5 18.Bxf5 Nxf5 19.Ne3 Nxe3 20.Qxe3 Qe7 21.Qxe7 Bxe7 22.Re1 Bf8 23.Kf1 f6 24.g4 Kf7 25.h3 Re8 26.Rxe8 Kxe8 27.Ke2 Kd7 28.Kd3 Ke6 29.a4 a6 30.f3 Be7 1/2-1/2