[Event "2016 World Championship | New York, USA"]

[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.11.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "Hess, R"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[CurrentPosition "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 ( 3...Nf6 { Unlike in the 2000 Kasparov-Kramnik
match, Magnus Carlsen is not interested in entering the Berlin Defense. While
Kramnik used the opening to neutralize Kasparov's white pieces, it makes
frequent appearances at all top level events. Both Karjakin and Carlsen have
enjoyed some success in the opening, but the World Champion - staying true to
his early match strategy - deviates from the most topical line. A potential
concern may have been the developments uncovered by GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave,
who had Carlsen against the ropes before letting him escape in a game this
year. } ) 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 { According to the database, this move is
distant second in terms of most popular continuations in this opening.
Karjakin, typically known for his extensive opening preparation, decides to
steer clear of the main line: } ( 6.Re1 { perhaps was avoided because it was
easier for Carlsen to prepare for. Additionally, Karjakin suffered an
uninspiring defeat against GM Peter Svidler on the white side of this position
back in May, so it is possible his team of seconds did not find enough
improvements to justify repeating the line. } 6...b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 b4 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Nbd2 Bc5 12.a5 h6 13.h3 Qd6 14.Qe2 Be6 15.Nc4 Qe7 16.c3 bxc3 17.bxc3 Nh5 18.g4 Nf4 19.Bxf4 exf4 { eventually resulted in 0-1 (56)
Karjakin,S (2779)-Svidler,P (2762) Sochi 2016 } ) 6...b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 { This move can be characterized as "slow" but the point is clear: to keep the
light-square bishop on the board. } ( 8.a4 { is the most popular continuation,
though Carlsen beat Svidler from the black side of this position during the
2013 Candidates' Tournament. } ) 8...O-O 9.Nc3 Na5 ( 9...Bg4 { is the more
popular choice, making use of the fact that White has yet to play h3. Black of
course wants to hop the knight into d4, but minor pieces get swapped off and
the simplification leads to only a small plus for White. } 10.Be3 Nd4 11.Bxd4 exd4 12.Nd5 Nd7 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 { and I don't think White has much at all. } ) 10.Ba2 Be6 11.d4 ( 11.b4 Bxa2 12.Rxa2 Nc6 13.Bg5 { has been faced by
Aronian on a couple of occasions, and he managed to hold his own. White has a
slight pull thanks to better control of d5 than Black has of d4, and the
possibility of breaks with a4 or d4, but with proper play Black should be
hanging in there. } ) ( 11.Bxe6 { it is perfectly reasonable to wonder why
Karjakin did not initiate the trade of bishops. After all, the move doubles
the black pawns. But it also opens up the f-file for the rook and gives
Carlsen additional control of the key central squares. In many positions, it
is often advised to allow to exchange to come to you when forcing the issue
may change the pawn structure in a way favorable for your opponent. } 11...fxe6 { The position is level, but much more comfortable to play with from the black
side. Qe8 is a possibilty in the near future, and with Nh5-f4 ideas, Carlsen
would not complain. } ) 11...Bxa2 12.Rxa2 Re8 { This is the move that seemed to
faze Karjakin, who slowed his pace and spent 15 minutes figuring out his
strategy. } 13.Ra1 { A novelty, but the important deviations occurred
earlier in the game. The only game in this line was a recent one between
players rated nearly a collective 700 points below the ones in this match.
Based on the time spent by both players to get to this position, I think it is
safe to say that neither player was familiar with the predecessor, which ended
in a relatively short draw starting with 13. Qd3. } ( 13.dxe5 dxe5 14.Nxe5 { does not win a pawn. Black has the simple } 14...Qxd1 15.Rxd1 Bd6 { and now the
knight is attacked by two pieces, so even defending it with } 16.f4 { returns
the pawn. } 16...Bxe5 17.fxe5 Rxe5 18.Bf4 Ree8 19.Bxc7 Nc4 { Black again is a pawn
behind, but the white forces are discombobulated and the e-pawn is isolated
and weak. Black is even to be preferred. } ) 13...Nc4 { The knight reroutes
itself into a more central square, but this is merely a temporary destination.
Karjakin will kick the knight out, but at least from b6 the piece will have
some purpose (covering d5, for example). } 14.Re1 Rc8 { A move which many
spectators found curious. The rook moves from a closed file to an even more
closed file. But the purpose of the move is not about the rook; it is about
supporting the push c7-c6. } ( 14...c6 15.b3 exd4 ( 15...Nb6 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Nxe5 { and Carlsen would be forced to prove he has enough compensation for the
sacrificed pawn. The specific variations are less important than the main
theme: the c6 pawn might be a casualty, whereas with the rook on c8 it is safe. } ) 16.Nxd4 { and again, we see the c6 pawn in real trouble. The f5 square is
also a nice place for the knight to station itself. Black is by no means lost
(the game is still complex), but White's advantage is steadily growing. } ) 15.h3 ( 15.a4 { is definitely tempting, now that the rook has left its nest. But
moving a pawn leaves the square adjacent to it unprotected, so now Black can
go forth with } 15...b4 ( 15...c6 { is also a normal way to defend, as in the game. } ) ) ( 15.b3 Nb6 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Qxd8 Bxd8 { keeps e5 guarded. Carlsen's pieces
are only temporarily awkard, and despite the slight edge for White, the
balance should be held. } ) 15...h6 16.b3 Nb6 17.Bb2 ( 17.dxe5 { was now the
time to take? } 17...dxe5 18.Qxd8 Bxd8 ( 18...Rcxd8 { does not work well for Black. } 19.Nxe5 Bc5 20.Nf3 ) 19.a4 c6 20.axb5 axb5 { and I'm not seeing a clear way
for Karjakin to proceed. I do prefer this to the game variation, because the
bishops' placement currently favors White. Be3 or Bb2 can be played, while its
counterpart on d8 is awkwardly placed. } ) 17...Bf8 18.dxe5 { Apparently now is
the time! Karjakin ends the tense central struggle, believing the situation
has turned in his favor. } 18...dxe5 19.a4 ( 19.Qxd8 Rcxd8 20.Na2! { was a
fantastic idea. Now Carlsen would have to protect e5 while also facing the
annoying idea of Nb4. To me, this was a huge missed opportunity to apply
pressure on the champ. } ) 19...c6 20.Qxd8 Rcxd8 21.axb5 axb5 22.Ne2 { This move is not a blunder, but I consider it an inaccuracy that throws away
any chance at even a symbolic advantage. } ( 22.Na2 Nbd7 23.Nc1 { was a good
way to position the knight on its best square. The position should still be
equal, but Carlsen would be forced to find a few accurate moves to ensure he
collects the half point. } ) ( 22.Ra6 Nfd7 { holds everything together.
Importantly, Black can contend on the a-file thanks to the knight on b6. } ) 22...Bb4 { Carlsen very intelligently avoids getting too eager. Some players
would try too hard to fight for an advantage in a position that warrants quiet
moves. It was good that the world champion lackd ambition in the position,
seemingly having already resigned himself to making a draw rather than seeking
an advantage. Granted, the position is objectively equal, but there are always
traps -- for Black to avoid. } ( 22...Nxe4 23.Bxe5 ( 23.Nxe5? Bc5 { when
Carlsen lashes out and wins material. } 24.Nd3 Rxd3 25.cxd3 Bxf2+ 26.Kf1 Bxe1 27.dxe4 Bd2 28.Ra6 Be3 29.Bd4 Bxd4 30.Nxd4 Rxe4 31.Nxc6 Nd7 { should still
be a draw, but Karjakin has to fight for it considering he is a pawn down. } ) 23...Ng5 24.Bc7 Nxf3+ 25.gxf3 Rd2 26.Bxb6 Rdxe2 27.Rxe2 Rxe2 28.Ra8 Rxc2 29.b4 { and with Bc5 coming, Black will be forced to sacrifice his rook for
the bishop. This will result in him desperately hoping for a draw. An
important lesson to stay objective rather than seeking a win where one does
not exist. } ) 23.Bc3 Bxc3 24.Nxc3 Nbd7 25.Ra6 Rc8 26.b4 Re6 ( 26...c5 { is equal, but Karjakin would be forced on the defensive. } 27.Nxb5 cxb4 28.Nd6 Re6 29.Nxc8 Rxa6 30.Rd1 { and optically, White is the one forced to defend
his weaknesses on c2 and e4. The advantage is an illusion, but Black can't
complain. } ) 27.Rb1 c5 { Getting all the pieces off the board, forcing the draw. } 28.Rxe6 fxe6 29.Nxb5 ( 29.bxc5 Rxc5 30.Nxb5 ( 30.Rb3 b4 { forces Karjakin
to back pedal, but even here Carlsen lacks winning chances because of his ugly
doubled pawns. That means that winning the e-pawn is nice, but there are no
passed pawns. } ) 30...Rxc2 { is similarly equal. } ) 29...cxb4 30.Rxb4 Rxc2 31.Nd6 Rc1+ 32.Kh2 Rc2 33.Kg1 { There is no other way to defend the pawn than to
return the king to g1. Carlsen has done well to hold a draw without much
stress. }
1/2-1/2
rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1 https://www.chess.com/news/view/another-dull-draw-in-world-champs-round-2-3835