AS SEEN ON ESPN!
Going into the tiebreaks in New York City the world questioned Carlsen's choice to play for a draw in Game 12. He didn't push hard and the regular games ended in a 6-6 tie triggering 4 rapid tie break rounds. Karjakin was lucky enough to win the random color draw to receive White for Game 1 but he failed to achieve an opening advantage and squandered the chance to put any real pressure on Carlsen.
Tiebreak Score: 1/2 - 1/2
In Game 2 Carlsen put immense pressure on Karjakin and it seemed like he would break through. But, Karjakin who definitely go down as one of the best defenders of all time worked out an incredible fortress and a pretty stalemate. Everyone wondered if this would affect Carlsen psychologically like after Games 4-7. But, Carlsen was in the driver seat by then and was not going to drop a game even with the Black pieces.
Tiebreak Score: 1-1
Game 3 saw Karjakin's whole dreams of glory come crashing to the ground. Strangely their team decided to stick to the same opening plan that throughout the entire match failed to prove any advantage. Carlsen quickly improved his opening choice and came out of the opening with an advantage. Smelling blood he pushed until Karjakin blundered in time trouble.
Tiebreak Score: 2-1
Being down 1 point and needing a win as Black is a hard feat for any player to accomplish let alone against one of the all time greats! Karjakin played the Sicilian defense for the first time in the match and fans around the world cheered. But, everyone quickly saw why this was not his normal choice as Carlsen set a Maroczy bind. For those fans that don't know this is an almost impenetrable pawn structure that allows White to solidly squeeze the Black player. Karjakin was forced to take some serious risks that weakened his position. He set up a mate in one against Carlsen's king but Carlsen responded with a queen sacrifice and a forced mate. How slim is victory and defeat in chess!
Tiebreak Score: 3-1
Norway's Magnus Carlsen has now been crowed the World Chess Champion for the third straight time. Despite the psychological problems that he showed against Karjakin's tough defense, the Carlsen is becoming one of the most dominant players of all time. He has emulated the styles of the greats such as Capablanca, Botvinnik, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Anand and more to create a style that is nearly impenetrable.
Though we have another 2 years to wait for a World Championship match, there is hope that an American will be able to challenge Carlsen. America's #1 GM Fabiano Caruana could be the next in line as many see his style to be best matched with Carlsen's. But, for now the crown is safely in Magnus Carlsen's hands as he has completed the hat trick!
Here are a few of my personal highlight which include meeting Neil DeGrasse Tyson, GM Fabiano Caruana and doing a 4 minute spot on ESPN.
